Newswise — The second annual Autism Conference & Expo of Georgia, showcasing the 10 focus areas of the Autism Plan for Georgia, will take place Thursday, April 14 and Friday, April 15 at the Wyndham Peachtree Hotel and Conference Center.
The conference agenda was created by the Advisory Council for the Autism Plan for Georgia, an alliance of leading autism agencies, self-advocates and family members, as an important strategy in the plan’s implementation.
The conference is aimed at a broad audience, ranging from self-advocates and family members, to practitioners, professionals and policy-makers. General registration for the conference is $150. Registration for self-advocates, parents/guardians and volunteers is $75. Volunteer opportunities are available. For more information and to register, visit www.ga-autismplan.com/autism-conference-and-expo-of-georgia/
Dr. Leslie Rubin, president of Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability, associate professor at Morehouse School of Medicine and co-director of the Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at Emory University, will receive the Georgia Autism Achievement Award for his work in clinical practice, training and advocacy related to autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. He will deliver the keynote address on April 14.
Dr. Daniel Crimmins, director of the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health, said the four keynote addresses, 20 smaller breakout sessions and roughly a dozen exhibitors will provide important opportunities for learning.
"The conference will include presentations by state and national leaders in autism services, research, advocacy and policy – it’s a truly impressive group,” said Crimmins, who is one of the event organizers. “We think that people will really appreciate the information and perspectives that will be shared."
The Autism Plan for Georgia was developed with funding granted to Georgia State by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources Service Administration. The Advisory Council for the Autism Plan for Georgia is composed of key stakeholders representing federal, state and local agencies, people with autism and their family members, providers, researchers, and professional and advocacy organizations, who share the commitment to improving opportunities for those living with autism and related developmental disabilities.
To learn more about the plan, go to: www.ga-autismplan.com/