PRESQUE ISLE — Family members, educators and professionals who live and work with autistic individuals will soon have the opportunity to gain valuable resources and greater understanding of the individuals we aim to support thanks to the grassroots efforts of the Aroostook Autism Support Group. The first Aroostook County Autism Conference will take place on Friday, Oct. 7, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
The Aroostook Autism Support Group began in 2012 with a dream of just a few parents. With a lot of effort on the part of the founders, combined with support from individuals and organizations from across The County, they have been making great things happen.
“We started as a small parent-based support group with only one goal, to meet once a month and provide a safe environment to ask questions and share experiences and resources with people who understand life after an autism diagnosis,” said Lisa Brewer of Presque Isle, co-founder of AASG.
The group was soon connected to families in both the northern and southern ends of The County. In addition to monthly support meetings, they began organizing events and community training, which members say have raised awareness and acceptance of autism locally, as well as provided resources for families and community members. Through local fundraising and contributions, AASG gathered the means to offer the upcoming conference.
“Since AASG’s inception, we have hoped to host a conference in Aroostook County to provide the tools and supports that so many in our area cannot easily attain without traveling great distances,” said Maeghan Swanson of Easton, AASG co-founder. “To be able to bring so many esteemed speakers and professionals to this event is an honor and a privilege that will better our community for years to come.”
Both Brewer and Swanson agree that organizing and holding the conference is an involved but necessary means of showing support for autistic individuals and their families.
The session will run from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with lunch provided. Keynote speakers for the morning session will be Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher, from the documentary “Wretches and Jabberers.” These men have travelled the world speaking of their personal experiences as autistic individuals. They are on a quest to “move people’s knowledge of disability to a positive place.”
The afternoon keynote presenter will be Dr. Margaret Bauman, who mapped the first differences between a typical brain and a brain with autism. Her discovery demonstrated for the first time that autism was related to abnormalities of brain development and not to poor parenting. Dr. Bauman has continued her influential research and clinical work in the autism field. She will be discussing co-existing conditions with autism.
Other topics and presenters include: child psychiatrist Dr. Silvia Merida-Copeland of The Aroostook Medical Center, who will discuss medication management; Dr. Paul Johnson, BCBA, presenting a workshop on conjoint behavioral consultation, fostering home/school collaboration; Dr. Ajay Rana, a pediatric gastroenterologist from Eastern Maine Medical Center, speaking about autism-associated GI issues; and Atlee Reilly, Esq., from Disability Rights Maine, talking about education rights for students with disabilities and supportive decision making and alternatives to guardianship.
Sponsors of the event include Thompson Hamel, LLC; TAMC; Graves Shop ‘n Save; MMG Insurance; United Insurance; and State Farm Insurance/John Harvell.
“The reaction from the families and individuals we have reached has been a driving force to keep going and to keep growing so that we can continue to organize events and trainings that provide awareness, education and support to the community,” said Brewer. “On a personal level, raising two children with an autism diagnosis, AASG has been a great comfort.
“The best therapy in the world is finding people who are on a similar life path and finding a way to help each other through the hard stuff and celebrating the good stuff together, too,” she added. “There have been many blessings that have come my way through the support group, and I feel that I am a better mother because of them.”
Pre-registration is required and must be received no later than Monday, Sept. 26. No walk-in registration will be available. The cost is $25 for an individual with ASD; $45 for parents, guardians, non-profit organizations, and students; and $60 for professionals, with a continuing education credit (CEU) if needed. All fees are non-refundable.
For more information visit the event page on Facebook or email aasgmaine@gmail.com. For special accommodations call (207) 227-0601. To register visit www.aroostookautismsupportgroup.org/october-conference.html.
