https://okautism.org/Training Parent Page: Training id: 31153 Active Page: Conferenceid:31187

Thank you so our sponsors, vendors, and our wonderful participants for a great event!

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The 2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference was November 7-8th!

Where can you find policymakers, parents, educators, and related service providers together in the same space, discussing, sharing, and collaborating?  At the Together We Thrive 2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference! hosted by the Oklahoma Autism Network, on November 7-8 at the Edmond Convention Center. The conference's focus spans the entire lifespan, recognizing that each milestone in life is important. Participants will learn about the challenges and needs faced at every stage—whether it’s for babies, toddlers, students, adolescents, or adults—and engage in discussions aimed at improving support for all individuals with autism.

See the agenda here with 48 phenomenal speakers!

The Oklahoma Autism Conference serves as a platform for service providers, administrators, and educators to engage in discussions about the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in autism services. With a focus on continuous learning, this event highlights the importance of professional development for those working in the field of autism.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain new knowledge, network with peers, and explore innovative approaches to autism support. Professional attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, further enhancing their expertise and qualifications in providing autism services.

You are invited to attend the 2024 Together We Thrive Oklahoma Autism Conference! Special rates are available for autistic individuals and their family members, making this an inclusive opportunity for all to participate.

If you want to get involved, there are still opportunities to sponsor the conference and secure an exhibitor booth. These sponsorships and booths offer a valuable chance to showcase services, products, and resources to a diverse audience of professionals, caregivers, and families within the autism community.

If you would like to donate to help cover the cost of a family attending the conference, please click here or contact Michele-DeBerry@ouhsc.edu.  Thank you in advance!

2024 Event Refund and Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received prior to the event on close of business on Thursday, October 24, 2024, will be accepted and a full refund will be issued. There will be no refunds for cancellation after that date or for non-attendance at the event. If registration fees are not paid prior to the cancellation or no-show, the participant will be billed.

Cancellations must be received in writing by mail or email to michele-deberry@ouhsc.edu or okautism@ouhsc.edu. Telephone cancellations are not accepted.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor!

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Thursday General Session Speaker

Greg Santucci, MS OT, will be delivering the Thursday morning general session "Re-Framing Behavior: Embracing Advances in Neuroscience and Using the Power of Connection and Collaboration to Help People Thrive."

Every human being wants to do well. Every child wants to succeed and make their parents and teachers happy. However, it can be really hard to be a kid sometimes, especially for our neurodivergent children. We are demanding more from them than ever before in school. While the academic demands have changed, what hasn’t changed is the course of human development. Current advances in neuroscience have taught us so much about 1) how the brain works and 2) what kids need so they can feel safe, regulated, and ready to meet our expectations. We will gain a new understanding about “the why” of childhood behavior and learn strategies to support kids, improve their behavior, and help them thrive.

Greg Santucci has been a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for 25 years. He graduated from Penn State with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science and received his Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University In Philadelphia. He is the founding director of Power Play Pediatric Therapy, and a Supervisor of Occupational Therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey. Greg is the creator of the Model of Child Engagement, a developmentally informed approach to improving regulation and engagement in children of all levels of ability. He is certified in Sensory Integration and presents nationally and internationally on topics related to sensorimotor development, sensory processing, regulation and behavior. He recently received the Award of Merit from the NJ Occupational Therapy Association for his advocacy work related to neurodiversity-affirming care, and his most important credential is that he’s the proud father of two teenagers.

2024 Conference T-shirt is sold out!

We have a winner! Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference Logo and T-shirt Design Contest winner, Grayson Revilla!  We love your design and we are so excited to adopt it for the 2024 Conference!  

Grayson wrote this about the design:

"I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for selecting my design for this year‘s Oklahoma Autism Network Conference. It is an absolute honor to contribute to such an important event, and I am especially excited to share the story behind my design- my “why”.

The theme of advocacy, belonging, and connection resonates deeply with me as these elements are a significant part of the work that I do every day. In my role, I strive to advocate for children and families, ensuring they always feel a sense of belonging in this world, and within the autism community. The stigma that often accompanies an autism diagnosis can make it difficult for individuals and families to feel accepted. My mission is to ensure that they know they do belong and have access to the support they need to thrive.

As you know, finding appropriate resources for individuals on the autism spectrum can be incredibly challenging. According to the CDC 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism, and despite this growing number, many families still struggle to navigate the healthcare, educational, and social services systems to access critical support. This makes advocacy even more vital, and it’s why I’m committed to staying connected with families and ensuring they have access to the resources they deserve.

Thank you again for the opportunity to bring this design to life, and for your commitment to the autism community. It means the world to me, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone come together at this year‘s conference." 

 

 

 

Friday General Session Speaker

Rachel Dorsey, MS CCC-SLP will be presenting the Friday morning general session "Supporting Communication Development in Gestalt Processors Throughout the Lifespan."

Gestalt processing or "whole-to-part-to-whole" processing is commonly seen within the autistic population. In fact, many common breakdowns autistic people experience can be understood as breakdowns in gestalt processing. In this two-part presentation, Rachel Dorsey, MS, CCC-SLP will explain gestalt processing and provide examples pertaining to linguistic, socioemotional, social-pragmatic, and cognitive development throughout the autistic lifespan. Common breakdowns such as stuck language, extremely rigid routines, and misapplication of social rules will be analyzed and problem-solved in several case study examples. Audiences will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion in the breakout session.

Rachel Dorsey

Rachel Dorsey, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her) is an Autistic Speech-Language Pathologist with  8 years of clinical experience in early intervention, public schools, and private practice. She is the owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC. where she provides therapeutic services to autistic clients of all ages. Rachel has presented educationally and professionally on the topics of gestalt language development, cognitive flexibility, and socioemotional support for the autistic population throughout the United States and internationally. 

   









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Thank you sponsors


Bronze Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor






Tobii Dynavox logo

Bronze Sponsor

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Additional Conference Information Below

Registration

Participants needing CE hours must register as a professional.

Please read our cancellation policy: Cancellations received prior to the event on close of business on Thursday, October 24th will be accepted and a full refund will be issued. There will be no refunds for cancellation after that date or for non-attendance at the event. If registration fees are not paid prior to the cancellation or no-show, the participant will be billed. Cancellations must be received in writing by mail or email to michele-deberry@ouhsc.edu or okautism@ouhsc.edu. Telephone cancellations are not accepted.

 

Agenda

Presenters

Submit Your Breakout Session Proposal for the 2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference!

We invite you to submit your breakout session proposal for the 2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference on November 7-8 at the Edmond Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in Edmond, Oklahoma.

This year's theme is "Together We Thrive: Advocacy, Belonging, and Connection for All.” We're seeking innovative and engaging sessions that will resonate with our diverse audience of educators, service providers, families of autistic individuals, and autistic adults.

If you have expertise, insights, and strategies to share, we want to hear from you! This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and inclusive event focused on advocacy, belonging, and building connections.

Why Present?

  • Showcase Your Expertise: Share your knowledge and experience with a dedicated audience.
  • Network and Collaborate: Connect with professionals, families, and individuals passionate about autism.
  • Make an Impact: Contribute to the collective effort of empowering the autism community.

Proposal Guidelines:

  • Relevance: Ensure your session aligns with our theme and addresses the needs and interests of our audience. Participants are educators, service providers (OT, PT, SLPs, BCBAs, LPC, etc.), families of autistic individuals, and autistic adults.
  • Engagement: Propose interactive and practical sessions that encourage participation and discussion.
  • Diversity: We welcome proposals from diverse perspectives and experiences. 

Let's come together, advocate for positive change, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. We look forward to your contributions!

*Limited number of breakout sessions available. Submission of a proposal does not guarantee acceptance. All presenters must be available to present in person at their own expense.

All planners and presenters must disclose relevant relationships, or lack thereof, to the Provider during course planning and to learners at the start of the course. Presenters need only disclose those relationships that are relevant to and may influence course content and design. 

Relevant Relationships may include:

  • receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, gifts, speaking fee, consulting fee, honorarium, ownership interest, or other financial benefit
  • “contracted research” in which the institution receives the grant, manages the funds, and the individual is the principal or named investigator on the grant
  • Person or professional roles, experiences, and background

Completed proposals must be submitted by Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:59pm. 

 

Family Scholarships

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  • Applicants for the partial registration scholarship must be an autistic individual, parent, legal guardian, or grandparent of an autistic child or adult.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Submit the completed application by mail to: Oklahoma Autism Network, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, 1200 North Stonewall Avenue, Room 1131, Oklahoma City, OK 73117 or email completed form to: okautism@ouhsc.edu.

  • Applicants are responsible for their transportation and lodging.

  • A limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Applications will be accepted through October 24, 2024

  • Applicants will be notified upon receipt of their application if they have been selected to receive a scholarship.

  • Scholarship recipients should not complete the conference registration form.  Scholarship recipients will be registered by the Oklahoma Autism Network.

  • Scholarship recipients will be responsible for a $10 registration fee for two-day conference attendance. Scholarship recipients will be responsible for a $5 registration fee for a one-day conference attendance. An invoice will be emailed to the attendee if a family scholarship will be granted. The invoice must be paid before November 1st.

  • Sooner Success is offering educational vouchers to help caregivers pay for the care of their loved ones so that they can attend the conference. Vouchers are $50 for half-day or $100 for a full day for eligible caregivers.  To be eligible,  you must complete an application PRIOR to the conference and you must be registered for the conference. Please visit soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu, email respite@ouhsc.edu or call 405-271-2710 for the voucher application.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We hope you will consider joining us as a Hospitality, Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze sponsor to bring this event to the state. With your support, the Oklahoma Autism Network will be able to accomplish the goals of building community capacity and understanding, using evidence-based practices, and providing relative, timely, and effective services while delivering quality professional development through the conference. We hope we can count on your help to make this year’s event one of the best yet!

Thank you to our 2024 generous sponsors and exhibitors.  We love collaborating with you! 

Nexus Solutions for Autism - Platinum Sponsor

Oklahoma Autism Center - Bronze Sponsor

Tobii Dynavox - Bronze Sponsor

Scissortail Therapies - Bronze Sponsor

Continuing Education

Professional CEUs: Participants registered as providers/educators may be eligible to receive CEUs that have been approved by your professional organization.  Applications have been made for CEU approval for Oklahoma BCBAs, Occupational Therapists/COTAs, Physical Therapists/PTAs, and ASHA CEUs.  At the conclusion of each session, you will be provided a link and instructions to complete a session evaluation summary and to provide your appropriate association number (i.e. ASHA number) to be processed for the CEUs. Please stay for the entire session to get this information.  

UPDATE:  We are processing CEUs and Attendance Certificates from the 2024 Conference.  We will email them as soon as possible.

 

T-Shirt Sales

2024 Oklahoma Autism Conference T-shirts are SOLD OUT!

Please watch this page for the 2025 Oklahoma Autism Conference T-shirt Design Contest coming in the Spring.

Request for Accommodations During Event

We want to make sure our guests and speakers are comfortable and make appropriate accommodations for their participation.  If you need accommodations, would you please complete this confidential form?  

 

Conference PowerPoint Presentations and Handouts

Complaint Policy

If you have any concerns or complaints about this conference, please contact Michele DeBerry at 405-271-2131, ext 47123 or michele-deberry@ouhsc.edu.