Kalispell conference focuses on autism

Local teachers and others who work with children with autism are invited to attend a conference on autism spectrum disorders Tuesday and Wednesday at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell.

The conference, sponsored by the Western Montana Comprehensive System for Personnel Development, will provide introductory and intermediate sessions covering a wide range of strategies for supporting students with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms.

While most of the conference is geared toward teachers, para-educators, administrators, counselors, parents and community agency personnel, there is a special presentation Tuesday that is open to the public.

Gina Gallagher and Patty Konjoian, sisters who are raising children with disabilities, will present “Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid” from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Red Lion ballroom. A networking and dessert social begins at 6:30 p.m.

The presentation about the sisters’ “Movement of Imperfection” is an honest and positive look at raising children with disabilities in a world preoccupied with perfection. There is no cost to attend the presentation.

There is a charge to attend the conference. Registration costs vary. Group rates are available, and students, parents and para-educators get discounts.

The conference begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with registration and a continental breakfast, followed by a two-and-a-half hour morning session.

Attendees have the choice of three presentations, covering an introduction to autism spectrum disorders, strategies for working with children and teens with autism in the classroom, and strategies for working with students with Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism.

Doug Doty from the state Office of Public Instruction will be the keynote speaker during lunch that day. He will discuss the increasing number of students with autism in Montana.

Doty’s presentation will be followed by afternoon sessions, a continuation of the morning’s topics.

The second day of the conference begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with a keynote address during breakfast. Rebecca Klaw, a consultant, trainer and advocate for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, will present “Understanding Students with High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s.”

There are four sessions available in the morning and four in the afternoon. A second conference will be held in Missoula Wednesday and Thursday.

For further information about the conference or to register, call Noranne Yeager, director of the Flathead Special Education Cooperative, at 257-1852. Registration will be available at the door.

Additional information is available at www.cspd.net.