Together We Can Make A Difference – Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation

First Annual Autism Spectrum Conference
Saturday, May 14^th 7 am – 4 pm
Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, 501 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Affiliated Organizations: Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Gadsden State Community College, and Mary G. Hardin Center of Cultural Arts

Presenting Speakers: Mamta Mishra (author), Dr. Billie K. Snell (pediatrician), Dr. Larry Beard (professor), Fire Chief A. J. Martin, and Dr. G. Michael Shehi (psychiatrist)

Target Audience: physicians, nurse practitioners, community members, teachers, first responders, special needs individuals and their parents/caregivers

Learning Objectives:
After participating in this conference attendees should be able to:

Recognize the signs of Autism
Understand the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in Autism
Recognize assistive technology to improve functional capabilities
Deal with safety issues for individuals with Autism in emergency situations
Provide support to families through creating support groups

Gadsden Regional Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Gadsden Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Gadsden State Community College awards 5 contact hours of instruction (CEU) for this conference. It is conferred to education professionals to provide continuing education under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

The Fire College, Birmingham, AL awards 4 contact hours of instruction (CEU) (continued education number 22-R4-0012) to first responders, medical professionals, and educators by Fire Chief A. J. Martin.

Registration is $50 per person and includes breakfast and a boxed lunch.

After the conference, please join us for a ribbon-cutting event at 4:30 pm celebrating “Parag’s Sanctuary,” a new sensory inclusive room for visitors to the Hardin Center.

Conference Agenda:

7:00 am to 7:45 am	Registration and breakfast
7:45 am to 7:50 am	Convene
7:50 am to 8:00 am	Welcome from Tom Banks, Executive Director, Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation
8:00 am to 9:00 am	Mamta Mishra, mother of ASD individual, Master of Science in Education, author Autism: Our Journey and Finding Happiness Title: Evidenced Based Applied Behavioral Teaching Methods for Individuals with Autism
9:00 am to 10:00 am	Dr. Billie K. Snell, M.D., specialty: pediatrics Title: Importance of Early Diagnosis and Intervention in Autism
10:00 am to 10:15 am	Mr. Justin Bryant, Gadsden Regional Medical Center Services provided by GRMC for special needs individuals and their families
10:15 am to 10:30 am	BREAK (first responders breakout for “Safety for Individuals with Autism” workshop)
10:30 am to 11:30 am	Dr. Larry Beard, Ed.D., Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Jacksonville State University Title: The Use of Assistive Technologies in Autism
11:30 am to 11:45 am	Ms. Stephanie Holley, Co-founder and President of Families Undefined
11:45 am to 12:45 pm	Lunch Break (boxed lunch provided)
12:45 pm to 1:30 pm	(sign in sheet for CME and CEU attendees only)
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm	Chief Alan J. Martin, retired Chief of Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Title: Safety Issues in Emergency Treatment of Individuals with Autism
2:30 pm to 2:45 pm	Mr. Chip Rowan, Director/Teacher of Beautiful Rainbow Café education program
2:45 pm to 3:45 pm	Dr. G. Michael Shehi, M.D., Medical Director, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Mountain View Hospital, Gadsden, AL Title: Mental and Emotional Wellbeing of Individuals with Autism and their Families
3:40 pm to 4:00 pm	Mrs. Rhonda Davis, mother of ASD individual, founded special needs support group in Cullman, AL, former board member of Flourish Cullman, Inc.
4:30 pm	After the conference, please join us for a ribbon-cutting event at 4:30 pm celebrating “Parag’s Sanctuary,” a new sensory inclusive room for visitors to the Hardin Center.