Norwood to Host Flutie Foundation Autism Conference

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Children Making Strides will be holding “Autism Update 2011” on Thursday, April 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Norwood. 

According to their press release, the goal of the conference is to educate both parents who have children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as professionals who work with children with ASD in the community. Participants will be presented with the most up-to-date information and ASD resources currently available, including new legislative health insurance coverage, successful therapies and educational approaches.

The Flutie Foundation will also present its annual Doug Flutie, Jr. Award during the conference.

The keynote speaker this year for the annual event is Shonda Schilling, wife of former Red Sox Pitcher Curt Schilling. Schilling will talk about her family’s journey after their 11-year-old son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and how it changed them as a family. Schilling chronicled her family’s adjustment in her 2010 New York Times bestselling book, “The Best Kind of Different: Our Family’s Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome.” A book signing will follow her speaking presentation.

Other topics and guest speakers include “The 1,000 Piece Puzzle” with Carol Ann Edscorn, a writer and presenter who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome; health insurance and autism panel discussion; "Raising a More Independent Teen: How Your School Can Help" with Lynne Mitchell, MSW; "Evidence Based Practices in the Classroom and Community Settings” with Sue Constable, M.Ed and director of RI Autism Project; "No More Bullying Around," Mass. Advocates for Children; and “How to Bill Health Insurance Companies for ABA Services” with Kim Allbaugh, MRC Billing Co., a dedicated medical insurance billing and practice consulting service.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Award is presented annually at the conference to a person who has shown great commitment and dedication to raising awareness of autism spectrum disorder, or has made a significant impact in the lives of individuals with autism. This year Amy Weinstock is the recipient of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Award. Weinstock is chairperson of the AFAM Insurance Committee and has been instrumental in the passage of ARICA, the insurance coverage for autism services. Amy is an appointee to the State’s Special Commission Relative to Autism and a past president of the Friends of LADDERS.

To register for Autism Update 2011, please call Children Making Strides at (508) 563-5767 or visit www.childrenmakingstrides.com.  Reservations will be accepted on a first come basis.