Welcome & Opening Remarks
with Joey Travolta & Taylor Cross

Joey Travolta, the founder of “Inclusive Films” opens the “All In The Autism Family” Conference on April 11th 2008 in recognition of Autism Awareness Month with his mentee Taylor Cross, a young man with autism. Together they will talk about the film they co-created, “Normal People Scare Me” and how that process was no easy journey. What most people would intuitively know how to do, Taylor found quite challenging, like asking other autistic children questions. Joey, a former Special Education Teacher went through his own transformation during this process which changed his life’s purpose and is dedicated to helping individuals with autism and other special needs through his practical film school, his camps and his workshops where he helps to mold the talents of unique individuals through the art of film making. The film work Taylor worked on with Joey has provided the opportunity to become the first participant in a pilot program in the state of California based on Micro Enterprise, which is about customized employment option available for individuals with disabilities. Taylor was guided A portion of the film will be shown followed by a question and answer period from the audience.

Taylor and Autism Unraveled – Traveling on my own

Watch a young filmmaker’s journey as Taylor (along with Joey Travolra) escort you through the conception of his film, the day-to-day challenges of making it in the shadow of autism, and its eventual release.

At one point a professor asked Taylor "How do we provide social skills to an individual without invading their space." Taylor said "Your books will tell you a lot about the disorder and the process steps to intervene, but unless you get to know the person you are trying to work with -- and not just about the disability - you will always invade their space. Put away your books and learn about who the person is."

Families Forward;
Mapping Transitions to Your Child’s Future

Keri Bowers, first a mother, advocate and film director, is very excited to discuss her new workbook “Mapping Transitions To Your Child’s Future” a long overdue resource for parents of children with autism and other special needs. Keri was inspired to create this magnificent fifty page hands on workbook for families after being asked on numerous occasions “But How did you get from Here to There, Keri? Your son doesn’t even seem like he has autism!” Keri will tell you how to structure your special needs child’s life through a team approach including the siblings, moms, dads, teachers, aides and even the grandparents.

She will walk you through planning summer camps, art expression, and even take you on a discovery interview process with the significant people in your child’s life in which you will learn things about your child you would otherwise never have known. Be sure to come prepared to work in order to design the road map to achieve best possible future for your child forever. You will walk away thinking “Oh My Gosh! I can now put this in place for my child the minute I arrive home from the conference with the new, possibilities and opportunities for your child and family. Keri demonstrates that truly, amazing things are possible from all people and you have to give them the right tools.

Benefits for professionals/educators/parents:
Learn hands-on tools for building life and social skills. Based on strategies and tools used for years in my work, you will gain essential tools you can use tomorrow to help build upon the plan. “outside the box” thinking, things you never thought of. Get ideas and strategies for using the arts and other alternative tolls to build cognitive, social, and life skills, improve language, self-esteem, and self awareness. Watch a 15 minute short of Normal People Scare Me to set a tone for important points of discussion.

Top Things People Will Learn From This Presentation:
•Strategies for improved communication and collaboration
•Tools for social and life skill development
•Rapid Fire Improvisation: improving speech, language and understanding
•Tools in the arts for improved in-service and educational options
•Communication techniques; from professionals to parents and parents to professionals
•Mapping processes (action oriented process) to a future you want for your child and family
•Parent, advocate perspective you can relate to
•What are future options for employment for people with disabilities?
•Micro Enterprise and the Future of the Lanterman Act in the State of California

Parenting & Teaching The Child With ASD

Presenter will discuss how Dads with a child with ASD can become the hidden parent. They will review the style of parenting that is unique to men to better understand how Dads can effectively promote their child’s development. Special attention will be focused on guiding Dads to enjoy and respect the contribution of Moms.

Presenter will also discuss how the home environment can more positively impact the school environment in ways that support the teachers’ goals. They will share how the role of the school professionals can further nurture the child’s development across both environments. Special attention will be given to guide parents and professionals to understand and respect the contributions and limitations of each environment.

Benefits for people with ASD:
Suggestions will be offered to parents and educators that will help the individual with ASD reach their developmental potential. Suggestions will be offered to better ensure a strong family system and a higher quality of life for each family member.

Benefits for professionals/educators/parents:
One of the strongest indicators of successful intervention is how competently a family is able to address a child’s goals and incorporating effective strategies within their daily lives. Suggestions will be given to help professional and parents return to their role as the confident and knowledgeable adult, guiding the child.

Top Things People Will Learn From This Presentation:
•The unique pattern of parenting that unfolds when raising a child with ASD.
•How the child’s development affects parenting styles.
•How parenting styles affect the child’s development.
•Gain new perspective on the impact of ASD on the family system.
•The role of social-emotional development in the success of the home and school environment.
•To identify and support the unique challenges to collaboration between home and school.
•Effective strategies for leveraging the most powerful relationships in a child’s development: the parents!

Personal note from Eric Hamblen & Kathi Calouri Calouri:
Parent-led intervention is the foundation of the family-centered model of service used by Dr. Calouri & Mr. Hamblen, the presenters of this class. Guiding families within a home environment and within the community, focusing on “real-life situations,” allows Dr. Calouri & Mr. Hamblen to develop strategies that empower parents.

Strengthening Family Relationships: The foundation for positive outcomes in autism spectrum disorders.

Families with children/adults on the Autism Spectrum often feel isolated, frustrated, and that family relationships are strained. When a treatment plan is introduced for their child/adult, feelings are often magnified because the focus is on the individual’s challenges, not the needs of the family. This presentation will focus on Strengthening Family Relationships, which is the foundation for successful outcomes for those on the Autism Spectrum.

Benefits for people with ASD:
Individuals on the spectrum need a family unit that is safe, nurturing, with strong limits and boundaries before they can hope to address their challenges. When families work on meeting their own physical and emotional needs first, they model healthy relationships that balance growth with acceptance.

Benefits for professionals/educators/parents:
Parents will learn the importance of strengthening family relationships before addressing the challenges and needs of individual on the spectrum

Top Things People Will Learn From This Presentation:
•Address family needs first to build a foundation for growth
•Identify underlying feelings of family members – grief, anger, sadness, etc.
•Validate family members feelings
•Each family member’s feelings/experience is different
•Recognize coping mechanisms
•No one can do it alone.
•Developing a plan for healthy family functioning
•Build a support network that holds you accountable for your plan to stay balanced
•How to identify individuals who do not support your plan
•Change is not easy for you, your family, or your child – be patient

Personal note from Una Hayes-Shepard MSW:
Sign up all your family members so they can learn about the importance of working as a team!