Autism Social & Mental Health Conference

8am-9am  Registration and Check In, Resource Fair open

9am-2pm Autism Spa is open

‍

9am-10am KEYNOTE  SPEAKER:   DR. AMY VAN HECKE PhD.

It’s Never Too Late: Autistic Friendships, Mental Health & Brain Development Across the Lifespan

Dr. Amy Vaughan Van Hecke is a developmental psychologist and neuroscientist, a Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, Director of Research of the Next Step Autism and Trauma Clinic, and co-founder of the On Your Marq college autism support program at Marquette. She studies the effects of evidence-based interventions and therapies, for preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults on the autism spectrum, on relationship development, well-being, mental health, and brain development and function. Dr. Van Hecke is also the co-developer of a health ambassador and workforce development program to train medical professionals in autism diagnosis, to improve access to autism assessment and supports for underserved children and families, including families who speak first languages other than English, and families of Native American/Indigenous descent. 

10am-10:30am Networking/Resource Fair

‍

10:30am-12pm AM BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

A. Grief and Loss in ASD

Dr. Jill Hinton, PhD.  

Jill Hinton, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and mental illness. Her past experience with The Arc of NC, Autism Society of NC,  EastersealsUCP, and the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities includes direct clinical work, organizational leadership, clinical consultation, and policy work. She serves on the IDD Sub-Committee for American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This presentation will:

1. Describe grief and processes related to grief
2. Discuss grief as a universal, natural response to loss
3. Demonstrate how people with IDD respond to loss
4. Apply concepts of grief to supporting people with IDD

‍

B. Autism in Women  

Dr. Ruth Millican PhD & Miranda Millican, LMFT Co-Owners Wander Psychotherapy

Autistic women often go overlooked or misdiagnosed due to the unique behavioral patterns and challenges they face. It is common for Autistic women to not receive an official diagnosis until later in adulthood (if at all).   There will be a presentation followed by a moderated panel discussion featuring Autistic women.

12pm-1:30pm   Lunch/Networking/Resource Fair/Book signing

Box lunch and beverages for all attendees included.

1:30pm-3pm PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

‍

C. How Caretaking Impacts Relationships

Amanda Griffith-Atkins MS, LMFT

Parent and author Amanda Griffith-Atkins, MS, LMFT will discuss insights from her book How to Handle More Than You Can Handle, offering support for caregivers facing the emotional shifts of parenting a disabled child into adulthood.   Amanda is one of millions of people raising a disabled child with high support needs and knows firsthand the difficult emotions and journey.  By encouraging caregivers to bring their feelings into the light, she will help attendees move beyond survival mode and find new meaning in the caregiving journey.

‍

D. Let’s Get Social! Social Skills Programs & Opportunities for ASD Individuals  

Dr. Amy Van Hecke PhD.

Individuals with ASD struggle with social connections and friendships. This will be a presentation on evidenced based practices to help improve social skills.  There will also be information about local social programs and services currently available.  

‍

The Autism Spa  Will be open from 10am until 1:30pm offering various “mini” services to conference attendees.

RESOURCE FAIR:   8am-1:30 pm 

Comprised of local agencies & companies who provide social & mental health services for autistic children, adults & their families.