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Who: Autism Speaks, Brookwood Church, Family Connection of South Carolina, The LUCAS Network, South Carolina Autism Society, and Winston's Wish Foundation.
What: Upstate SC Autism Forum
When: Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Where: Brookwood Church - 580 Brookwood Point Place - Simpsonville, SC
Cost: Free
Greenville, SC - August 10, 2009: Current research will be primary theme of an upcoming Autism Summit presented by a consortium of agencies that focus on assisting families living with the disorder.
The free event aims to bring parents and professionals from across the region together, to provide information about autism, current research for autism's causes and treatments, and resources available in South Carolina to assist families affected by the disorder.
The lineup of speakers for the Forum - most of them medical professionals - will tell about the different autism research projects of their respective organizations or how they are assisting the research efforts.
A Resource Fair will feature representatives from more than 25 agencies that provide a range of services to individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their families.
"The Upstate Autism Forum presents an incredible opportunity for families dealing with autism not only to learn about the latest advances in autism research, but also to gather information from a variety of sources all in one place. As a parent of a child with autism, I can tell you that, especially when your child is first diagnosed, it feels like information is either impossible to find or rapidly flying at you from different directions in incomprehensible terms. Families at the Forum will be able to access information about treatment options, scientific advances, educational opportunities, funding sources, support groups, sibling programs, and more -- all neatly packaged in a one-day event. The day promises to be informative and inspiring for families struggling with autism." ~ Lorri Unumb Senior, Policy Advisor and Counselor - Autism Speaks.
Educators, policy makers, community and business leaders are encouraged to attend, to learn about autism's impact on a family's lifestyle and the treatments being studied. By talking with families, service providers and other supporting agencies, community leaders may discover ways they can play a role in assisting affected individuals.
Special guest speaker Josh Myers will also provide firsthand insights into life with autism. Myers is a York Technical College student (York, SC) who was diagnosed with autism at age five.
Forum speakers include representatives from the six sponsoring agencies, along with staff from Greenville Hospital System, The Greenwood Genetic Center, The Medical University of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.
In addition to research, Forum participants can also hear about efforts to pass legislation requiring healthcare insurance companies to provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, especially for children; and results of a parent survey regarding current programs to provide early intervention for children diagnosed with ASDs.
For more information or to register for this free forum, visit www.autismspeaks.org.
Click Community Tab - Chapters - SC.
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