This February 8th and 15th, Giant Steps Montreal will host its fourth annual evening lecture series titled ASD Perspectives. This training initiative was undertaken by Thomas Henderson in reaction to a predominance of intervention-based information sessions being offered in public training forums. What this means is that the information being offered about what the needs of autistics are, is necessarily biased or influenced by the underlying presumptions upon which the intervention is founded.
The ASD Perspectives series offers a different kind of training option that favours both the first hand perspective of autistics as well as science-based research presentations. As such the series is at the forefront of emerging research about autism and also allows access to the kind of information about autism that only autistics can provide. The series has had remarkable success over the past 3 years, and this year’s series promises to be no exception. In trying to meet its own mandate of offering new perspectives on autism, the series is changing format this year. We will be taking the idea of perspective to heart by offering two evening discussion panels. Relevant and provocative topics have been chosen to allow for a lively discussion of questions relating to learning and life stages in autism. The panelists include autistic adults, researchers, parents, and teachers. Every person’s perspective and opinion is respected. At the end of each panel discussion, the discussion will be opened up to questions from the audience. Come out, hear a different point of view, and join in the discussion. The series takes place in an intimate and charming hall in the historical Atwater Library.
Thomas Henderson is the Training Coordinator and Social Skills Specialist for Giant Steps Montreal.
For more information please call Thomas Henderson
Tel: (514) 935-1911 x236
Email: thenderson@giantstepsmontreal.com
Complete description of the series:
Lecture Location: Atwater Library, 1200 Atwater Ave. between St. Catherine and Tupper, south of the Pepsi Forum and west of the Montreal Children’s Hospital
By metro and bus: Atwater terminus
Parking: Street parking is usually available on Tupper Street, or on Rene-Levesque Blvd. Indoor Parking is available in Alexis Nihon Plaza .
Cost per lecture: Professionals - $30 Parent/Person with ASD /Student - $20
Outline:
February 8th 2010 7-9pm: Life Stages in Autism – This panel will explore the different life stages experienced by people with an autism spectrum diagnosis with regards to issues such as inclusion/exclusion, community participation, rights and services, self-advocacy, self-determination, and outcomes.
Panelists - Dr. Tara Flanagan: an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University , Doug Mitchell: a lawyer interested in the legal rights of autistics and the father of a teenager with autism, and David Lekx: a writer and musician diagnosed as an adult with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Moderator - Michelle Dawson: an autistic researcher affiliated with the Autism Specialized Clinic at Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital .
February 15th 2010 7-9pm : Learning in Autism – This panel will explore personal, professional and research perspectives on current ideas about learning in autism; existing and emerging research, educational implications and intervention approaches.
Panelists - Michelle Dawson: an autistic researcher affiliated with the Autism Clinic at Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital, Dr. Lisa Reisinger: a child psychologist and adjunct professor for McGill University involved in the research and diagnosis of children with ASD at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, was previously an elementary school teacher for 10 years, and John McCluskey: an autistic student at Marianapolis College and a graduate of Giant Steps.
Moderator - Doug Mitchell: a lawyer interested in the legal rights of autistics and the father of a teenager with autism.
