Easterseals Midwest to conclude autism conference series in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Easterseals Midwest, a nonprofit organization changing the way the world defines and views disability, will wrap up its statewide 2018 Autism Conference Series in St. Louis on Friday.

Designed for individuals, parents, educators and professionals, the annual conference unites nationally recognized developmental disability and autism experts. This year’s series has held events in Springfield, Cape Girardeau, Columbia and Kansas City.

The conference series will conclude Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the St. Louis Community College located in Bridgeton, MO.

Melanie Mills

“Easterseals has a longstanding commitment to providing training and professional development to families supporting a loved one with autism,” Melanie Mills, Easterseals Midwest Director of the St. Louis Autism Services Office said.

The keynote presenter, Dr. Michael Mohrland, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Mohrland will give his keynote address from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. During which, he will discuss how executive functions play a significant role in functional outcomes. He will also share how understanding assessment and treatment of executive skills in children-adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder holds promise for predictive and practical outcomes.

After Mohrland’s keynote address, the rest of the conference will be comprised of workshops with presenters Lea Ann Lowery, OTD, OTR/L, an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupation Therapy at the University of Missouri; Karen Cooper, Family Advocacy and Community Training (FACT), a nonprofit, family-run organization in St. Charles, MO; Jennifer Haughey, BA, Easterseals Midwest for almost 30 years; Randy Sanders, MA/BCBA, certified speech and language therapist for K-12 and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 25 years of experience working with children and adults with autism; Ann Schad, LCSW, Easterseals Midwest Family Navigator; Jen Hyde, BS, Supported Employment Manager and Todd Gentry, certified financial planner and chartered financial consultant.

“We deliver on our mission by ensuring the community receives up-to-date training from experts in the field who can share content on best practices and evidence-based intervention that help children and adults with autism to thrive,” Mills said.

Parents of children with autism who receive services from Easterseals Midwest and reside in St. Louis County are eligible for two free tickets. Tickets are $75.00 for parents who are non-St. Louis County residents. Tickets are $100.00 for a professional to attend, and with a group of four or more, tickets are $90.00 per person.

“Our goal is for parents and professionals to learn about practical strategies and tips they can use in everyday situations to ensure the best outcomes,” Mills said. “The conference is just one small example of the services we have to offer.”

To register for the Easterseals Midwest Autism Conference Series in St. Louis on Friday, click here.

Easterseals Midwest works to make profound and positive differences in people’s lives every day. The organization has close to 2,000 employees delivering services to more than 4,800 individuals, statewide, through foud divisions of Autism Services, Community Living Services, Early Childhood Services and Employment Services.

Close