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Successful Autism Conference Held in Northwest Missouri
Over 200 professionals, families, students and vendors gathered together on April 5, 2008, for the First Annual Northwest Missouri Conference on Autism at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The day-long conference entitled “Connecting the Pieces in Northwest Missouri” provided information and support to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, educators, and other professionals who provide services for them.
“This area of Missouri just really needed opportunities to connect families affected by an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to other families and resources,” said Carmen Bartlett, Advocacy Services Program Director with United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri.
The conference was designed to connect and educate people in Northwest Missouri from all walks of autism experience and knowledge. Senator Charlie Shields, who is known for work on education, mental health and healthcare issues in the Missouri Senate kicked off the day’s events. Other keynote speakers who presented to all in attendance included: Keith Schafer, Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health; Robin Russell, 2007 member of the Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism and mother of two sons on the autism spectrum; and Donna Beauchamp, an energetic motivational speaker and mother of two young adults with autism. In addition to hearing keynote presentations, participants chose between three different topics for each of three hour-and-half sessions. Session speakers brought autism expertise including personal, financial, political, and educational experience and training. Throughout the day, information and vendor exhibits were available to participants.
“The presentations were great, and the networking opportunities were fabulous,” said Margaret Nelson, Licensed Professional Counselor with Missouri’s Albany Regional Center, Department of Mental Health, Division of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities.
The final session of the conference provided conference attendees with the announcement that a support group for families affected by an autism spectrum disorder is being formed. The support group plans to meet for the first time in May 2008. An Autism Walk is also being planned for later in the year in St. Joseph.
The First Annual Northwest Missouri Conference on Autism is possible due to the collaboration of the following sponsors: Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities, Missouri Western State University, MPACT, and UCP of Northwest Missouri.
Questions about the 2008 conference? Interest in the 2009 conference? Contact Carmen Bartlett at (816) 364-3836 or Pam Schneeflock at (877) 384-2839.
*Note: The 2008 Conference logo above was created by Rylie, the younger sister of Tanner, a 13-year-old with autism.
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