2005 Louisiana State Autism Conference
Monroe Holiday Inn Holidome
November 11-12, 2005
Register NOW!

As expected, our fantastic lineup of nationally recognized speakers is drawing a lot of attention! We already have over 200 registered for the conference. If you plan to attend I encourage you to register NOW. The Holidome conference facilities will accommodate 325 attendees. A registration form is available online at Louisiana State Autism Chapter (LSAC) web site www.lastateautism.org or on our web site: www.autismnela.org, You don't want to miss these wonderful speakers: Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - inarguably the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world, has been featured on major television programs, such as the "Today Show", "Larry King Live", "48 Hours" and "20/20" and written up in national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times. Dr. Grandin didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping and humming. In 1950, she was labeled "autistic," and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism because "I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and, yes, professionals, too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can." She presently works as an Associate Professor at Colorado State University but also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. Her university web page: http://lamar.colostate.edu/~grandin/ Dr. Grandin's books include: "Emergence: Labeled Autistic", "Thinking in Pictures", "Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism", "Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior" and "Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships" Jerry Newport - Jerry's life is the inspiration of a major motion picture, "Mozart and The Whale," due out this year! You can read about the film and see video clips at www.mozartandthewhale.com Jerry and his wife Mary (both have Asperger's Syndrome) have been featured on 60 Minutes. Jerry is the author of "Your Life is Not a Label." He and his wife, Mary Meinel (talented artist) co-authored "Autism/Asperger's and Sexuality." Jerry's fascinating, touching, and often-humorous view of the unique journey that is living with Autism/Asperger's Syndrome is a presentation that everyone will enjoy! Jeff Sell - the father of 10 year-old twins with autism, is a practicing attorney and very informed about current litigation regarding vaccines and autism. He currently serves as national Director of Chapters & Membership for the Autism Society of America. Jeff will speak from a father's perspective on family issues, advocacy and litigation. Jeff comes to us courtesy of the national Autism Society of America. Dr. Stephanie Cave - Dr. Cave will discuss Biomedical Issues and the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) treatment protocol for individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. She will discuss specific biomedical interventions that she is using successfully in her practice with her patients with ASD. Many children are making marked progress through such treatments. Stephanie F. Cave, M.D. is a family practitioner in Baton Rouge who specializes in children with autism and related disorders. She has been featured on CNN and testified in congressional hearings in July 2000. She is a frequent speaker at the biennial Defeat Autism Now!(DAN!) Conference. She is the author of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations :Hidden Dangers, Pros and Cons, and Safety Measures That Can Protect your Child" Dr. Cave will also make a more technical Medical Presentation to the local medical community on November 10th. This presentation is to inform area medical personnel of newly developed effective autism treatments, generate an interest in the DAN! treatment protocol and hopefully result in a medical Autism Specialist in NE Louisiana. Local physicians need to know that Autism can be treated medically. If we can interest just one local physician in becoming an expert on biomedical treatments for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, we will have given families in Northeast Louisiana a wonderful miracle! We want to invite every doctor who is treating a patient with autism. Please send us (by mail or e-mail) the name and address of your child's physician so we can be sure that he or she is invited to attend this important presentation! Presentations by local teachers, parents and therapists will include: for Teachers - Teacher Planning: Objective Check List, IEP Goals, Scheduling Instructional Activities; Helping Students with Autism be Successful in Full Inclusion; An Educational Team Approach; and Teaching Mands: How to get your student to talk. For Parents of Young Children - "We Have a Diagnosis - What's Next?"; Early Interventions; Alternative Treatments; Available Therapies; Vaccine Litigation Update. For those interested in Adult Issues: How to Select a Service Provider; Services that are available; How to interview a Respite/PCA worker; Developing Talents; "We may out live you!"; and a Panel Discussion by Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.