Autism Society Chapter-Kern Autism Network 15th Annual Autism Awareness Conference "Loving & Caring for Someone With Autism"

         Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., is a pediatric neuropsychologist at UC Davis MIND Institute and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.  She has been working with children with autism since 1991 and has published over 25 scientific papers and chapters. Dr. Corbett is the recipient of a NIH Mentored Clinical Research Training Award, the Japanese-American Frontiers of Science Young Scientist award sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, as well as several other foundational grants and gifts.

Dr. Corbett’s research program, referred to as the Social Emotional NeuroScience Endocrinology (SENSE) laboratory, was developed to expressly investigate emotion regulation and the neural correlates of stress that contribute to the perception of and response to various social situations. In the process, the SENSE lab conducts comprehensive studies using biological, behavioral and neuroimaging techniques in children with autism and related disorders. The ultimate goal of the SENSE translational program is to allow our psychobiological studies that are revealing distinct profiles in children with neurodevelopmental disorders to guide the development of well designed, biological and behavioral treatments.

Most recently, Dr. Corbett has founded a non-profit, community-based intervention program called SENSE Theatre which arose from her clinical science work and an extensive theatre background.  SENSE Theatre combines science and art in a unique intervention research program which uses well established behavioral approaches alongside creative theatrical techniques designed to improve the social and emotional abilities of children with autism. The theatre is home to imagination, imitation, and communication – all areas that can be challenging in the world of autism.

Topic Title: A Translational Approach to Social Interaction & Stress in Children with Autism

Dr. Stephen Shore-Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Recently, Dr. Shore has accepted a professorship at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism,MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.

Topic Title: Senses & Sensibilities: An Inside View on Sensory Issues, What They Look Like, Avoiding Them & Working Through Ones That Occur

GENERAL INFORMATION

Continuing Education Units Information: CEU's for professional development are available for the following professionals (6 hours):   6.0 CEU's for Nurses-registration fee for LVNs, RNs, PHNs, NPs: $10.00 for non-Health Department nurses     $4.00 for Health Department nurses

Make check at the conference payable to: KCDPH Nursing Staff Council

CA Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board:  This program meets the qualifications for 6.0 hours of continuing professional development credit for Speech-Language Pathologists as required by the California Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology Board. 

Kern County Consortium SELPA  PDP# 93

Certificates of Attendance: available at the end of the day with full attendance

Kern Regional Center Clients: registration is done solely through your service coordinator at the Regional Center, online registration is not necessary.  If you have questions, please contact us @ 661-588-4235 or email: kernautism@gmail.com

Spanish Interpretation is provided for the conference.

Exclusive Book Vendor "Special Needs Project"

Vendor Booths available, to reserve a table, please contact 661-588-4235, this is a separate registration fee & form and does not include admittance to the conference.   SOLD OUT

Accomodations Available through Marriott of Bakersfield: please contact the Marriott for pricing mention the Kern Autism Conference and date to be eligible for a discount rate.

Conference Schedule: COMING SOON!

Meals: a choice of Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian meals are given at time of registration check-out.  Please select one, if no selection is done, Chicken will be given.  NO MEAL CHANGES WILL BE DONE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT DUE TO PRE-ORDERED MEAL COUNT.

Cancellation Policy:  A $40 fee will be applied for all cancellations up to 30 days before the conference.  No refunds will be provided after that time.