Living With Autism Workshop
3 Days of Support, Resources and Inspiration at this 16th Annual Event
Nov. 6-8, 2023
Online
Caring for a child with autism takes a remarkable person — you. Your sole focus is their growth, development and wellness. You work to develop social skills, consult on IEPs and create a bridge to an independent adulthood. There are highs and lows, but you’re there for them.
Metro Parent and Henry Ford Health understand your path. For 16 years now, our Living With Autism Workshop has had a singular mission: providing inspiration and information for parents and professionals caring for young people with autism. And this year is no different, as we bring our fourth annual virtual workshop to your screen.
Tune in for three full days of powerful speakers — including best-selling author and ‘Love on the Spectrum’ consultant Kerry Magro sharing his journey to a fulfilling life on the spectrum, and Carrie Cariello, a mom with a child on the spectrum helping your child find their purpose — along with insightful experts and an opportunity to connect with others just like you. This year offers something for everyone, from early age to middle stage to transition phase.
In fact, we’re packing in 12+ hours of support, resources, sessions and opportunities to network. Every presenter, every parent, every professional is here to support you. Best of all? You can watch on your own time. (We know it’s precious.) You can join us live (and we hope you do — especially for our live chat sessions). But either way, you’ll get all the speaker playbacks and presentations, so you can watch them when it’s convenient for you.
You’re not alone. We’re here for you, with answers and inspiration — hope and help. We look forward to having you join us.
Families living with autism need support, inspiration and connection. That's exactly what you'll find at the virtual Living With Autism Workshop. In 2023, Metro Parent and Henry Ford Health’s highly anticipated annual event offers:
3 Keynote sessions including best-selling author and ‘Love on the Spectrum’ consultant Kerry Magro sharing his journey to a fulfilling life on the spectrum, Carrie Cariello, a mom with a child on the spectrum, on helping your child find their purpose, and a panel on disability hiring lead by Colleen Allen of Autism Alliance of Michigan, Jennifer Schaefer of Upbound Staffing and Alison Orlans or Orlans PC.
Multiple info-packed sessions over 3 days
Tune in for advice and panels with some of the top therapists, advocates and experts in the autism world.
Access to ALL recordings after the event
Can't decide what to attend or need to skip a day? You'll get recordings of everything at the end.
Resources within reach
At just $25, our 16th annual event is affordable and accessible.
Disability does not end at 18. In this keynote, you will hear from Kerry Magro. Kerry will share his ASD journey through adulthood, ultimately becoming a professional speaker and author. He'll share strategies for transition IEPS, employment, housing, post-secondary education and much more! Time will be left at the end for a Q&A.
For many autism parents, worrying about the future for your child is part of life. What level of independent living can my child have? How can I support them when they are grown? How can I help them find purpose? Autism mom and writer Carrie Cariello knows these questions all too well. And now that her son, Jack, is past high school, she's answering these questions. In this keynote address, she'll share her insights on this transitional phase of autism.
Future employment is important to adults with autism. Employment provides economic freedom and a sense of purpose. The Autism Alliance of Michigan started Upbound Staffing to coach and connect those on the spectrum with inclusive employers. In this keynote address, AAoM CEO Colleen Allen talks with company partner Alison Orlans of Orlans PC about inclusive employment, along with the Upbound Staffing management team. They’ll also discuss essential strategies to support this transition, equipping job seekers for success in the workplace.
9-10:15 a.m. EST — Keynote Address: Kerry Magro / From Child to Adult: My Journey to a Fulfilling Life on the Spectrum
Disability does not end at 18. In this keynote, Kerry will share his ASD journey through adulthood, ultimately becoming a professional speaker and author. He'll share strategies for transition IEPS, employment, housing, post-secondary education and much more! Time will be left at the end for a Q&A.
10:30-11:30 a.m. EST — Early Age / ABA 101: Fundamentals of the Premier Autism Therapy | Sarah Peterson, BCBA & Taylor Stempnik, BCBA - Henry Ford Health
Hear the basics of applied behavior analysis (ABA), who ABA helps, what we work on in ABA, some assessments you may encounter during your time in ABA as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EST — Middle Stage / IEPs 101: Developing the Best Educational Path for Your Child | Melissa Maye, PhD - Henry Ford Health
You’ve received a diagnosis of ASD for your child – now what? Come to this session to: 1) Learn the basics of initiating an IEP with your local public school district and 2) Gain key advocacy tips to ensure effective communication and collaboration with your child’s special education team.
1-2 p.m. EST — Transitioning Phase / Transitioning 101: How to Pave Your Child's Path to Adulthood | Tisa Johnson-Hooper, MD, FAAP & Jannel Phillips, PhD ABPP-CN - Henry Ford Health
Parents want their children to transition into adulthood with the necessary skills and support to maximize their potential, and be healthy, happy, and productive. The process of moving from a pediatric to an adult approach to health care is called health care transition and should begin as early as 12 years old. Henry Ford Health Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities diagnostic team members, Drs. Jannel Phillips, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, and Tisa Johnson-Hooper, Pediatrician and CADD Medical Director, will lay out a comprehensive health care transition (HCT) process, as well as provide tips and resources for parents raising children with developmental disabilities.
2:15-3:15 p.m. EST — Expert Panel Q&A: Your Burning Questions + Our Expert Advice
Sarah Peterson, BCBA – Henry Ford Health; Melissa Maye, Ph.D. – Henry Ford Health; Tisa Johnson-Hooper, MD, FAAP – Henry Ford Health; and Reena Naami, MS, BCBA, LBA – Spark Center for Autism
9-10:15 a.m. EST — Keynote Address: Carrie Cariello / Autism After High School: An Autism Mom's Perspective
For many autism parents, worrying about the future for your child is part of life. What level of independent living can my child have? How can I support them when they are grown? How can I help them find purpose? Autism mom and writer Carrie Cariello knows these questions all too well. And now that her son, Jack, is past high school, she's answering these questions. In this keynote address, she'll share her insights on this transitional phase of autism.
10:30-11:30 a.m. EST — Early Age / Gestalt Language Development: The Power of Word Clusters in Learning to Speak | Christy Schweitzer & Brooke Ringler - Henry Ford Health
Does your child often repeat a question back to you instead of answering it, or do they communicate by reenacting lines from their favorite shows? Maybe they refer to themselves in the third person, or you notice that they intone their words more than their peers. If this sounds familiar, they may be a gestalt language processor. Join Christy Schweitzer, CCC-SLP, and Brooke Ringler, CF-SLP, to learn how your child’s language center works, and how you can facilitate language learning and advocate for services that complement your child’s language learning style.
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EST — Middle Stage / IEP Dispute Resolution: How to Talk About When Your Child's Educational Plan Isn't Working | Beth Kohler & Cheryl Levine - Special Education Mediation Services
Communicating about your child's special education supports and services can be challenging and those involved may disagree on the appropriate way to support a student. Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) helps students by fostering cooperation and effective teamwork among those who plan their education through NO COST mediation and meeting facilitation services. Learn how this process works, who is involved, what alternate dispute resolution means and how you can get help when things are complex, communication has broken down, or there is a disagreement about how to move forward.
1-2 p.m. EST — Transitioning Phase / Supported Decision-Making: Giving Autistic Adults a Voice | Mary Shehan, Michigan DD Council (MiDDC) Community Inclusion Coordinator & Kaiden Tolbert, Center for Youth Voice, Youth Choice (CYVYC) Youth Ambassador
What is Supported Decision-Making? It is a way to support people with disabilities that respects and honors their right to make life decisions. It provides for people to get the support and counsel they need, and to remain as independent, self-determined and autonomous as possible. Many options, other than guardianship, are available to provide this support and counsel. Get the facts, gain more knowledge and increase your skill level when addressing how to support decision-making with people who have intellectual & developmental disabilities (I/DD). Learn how Supported Decision-Making upholds civil rights.
2:15-3:15 p.m. EST — Expert Panel Q&A: Your Burning Questions + Our Expert Advice
Christy Schweitzer – Henry Ford Health; Cheryl Levine – Special Education Mediation Services; Mary Shehan – Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council; and Shell Jones, mom and play place owner
9-10:15 a.m. EST — Keynote Address / The Benefits of Disability Hiring: Guidance for Job Seekers, Parents and Employers | Colleen Allen - Autism Alliance of Michigan, Jennifer Schaefer, Laurel Buck and Kelly Blakeslee - Upbound Staffing, Alison Orlans - Orlans PC
Future employment is important to adults with autism. Employment provides economic freedom and a sense of purpose. The Autism Alliance of Michigan started Upbound Staffing to coach and connect those on the spectrum with inclusive employers. In this keynote address, AAoM CEO Colleen Allen talks with company partner Alison Orlans of Orlans PC about inclusive employment, along with the Upbound Staffing management team. They’ll also discuss essential strategies to support this transition, equipping job seekers for success in the workplace.
10:30-11:30 a.m. EST — Early Age / Moving Outside the ABA Bubble: Transitioning from a Comprehensive ABA Program | Amanda Prater, MA, BCBA, LBA & Lindsay Muncey, MA, BCBA, LBA - Kaufman Children's Center
Young children with autism often spend at least a year in ABA therapy. This session will provide considerations for parents of children ready to move to lesser restrictive environments in order to maximize learning.
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EST — Middle Stage / Health Care for the Whole Child: The Benefits of Comprehensive Primary Care for Youth with ASD | Jacqueline Metz, DO - Henry Ford Health
As a primary care pediatrician who also is on the Autism Diagnostic team at the Henry Ford Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, she will discuss the well-child evaluation for children with autism, the importance of having a medical home and the detection and management of conditions that can be associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
1-2 p.m. EST — Transitioning Phase / Disruptive Behavior in ASD Teens: A Crisis Management Tool Kit for Parents | Melissa Hendriks, MD - Henry Ford Health
The teen years pose some of the most difficult challenges for families. Behaviors that were manageable during childhood can reach crisis levels during the teenage years. This session will focus on how to understand and respond to challenging behaviors in teens with autism.
2:15-3:15 p.m. EST — Expert Panel Q&A: Your Burning Questions + Our Expert Advice
Albiona Rakipi, MA, CCC-SLP – Kaufman Children's Center; Jacqueline Metz – Henry Ford Health; Melissa Hendriks, MD – Henry Ford Health; and Ron Sandison - parent with autism, author and speaker
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