ASA's 37th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-15, 2006)

    ASA Homepage
Saturday, July 15, 2006: 10:00 AM-11:15 AM
Narragansett Ballroom C
#1927- Writer's Workshop For All Writers With ASD Subjects
This workshop will expand the knowledge imparted by published writers who spoke at the 2005 ASA Writer's workshop in Nashville. Four writers will share practical knowledge on all aspects of being published with ASD subjects. In addition, other ASD subjects besides ASD fiction and non-fiction will be discussed, including poetry and novels. A twenty-minute finale: brainstorming, will include the audience.

Presenters:Stephen M. Shore, Ed.D., Adelphi University in New York, Assistant Professor - Nonverbal until four and recommended for institutionalization, Dr. Shore focuses on empowering people with autism to develop their capacities to their fullest extent possible. Internationally known author and educator, Stephen serves as a board member for the Autism Society and, other autism-related organizations and is on faculty at Adelphi University.

Chantal Sicile-Kira, BA, Social, Ecology, Autism: Making a Difference, Author and Parent - Chantal Sicile-Kira is the author of 'Autism Spectrum Disorders' (recipient of the 2005 ASA’s Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award) and 'Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum', both published by Penguin. Chantal has been involved with ASDs for nearly 20 years, first as a professional and then as a parent. She hosts a weekly radio show on Autism One Radio (www.autismone.org) and is a national speaker on ASDs including adolescent issues and transition planning. Chantal is the founder of Autism: Making a Difference, Inc. and is active with various non-profits, including the San Diego Chapter of the ASA.

Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., Open Center for Autism, Co-Founder - Valerie Paradiz is the author of the memoir, Elijah's Cup. Her programs for children and adults with ASDs have been featured in the New York Times, Redbook Magazine, The Guardian, and on Japanese Television (NHK). Valerie is a member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America.

Gerald (Jerry) Newport, B.A., Math, Self, Author/Advocate/Spouse of AS mate and with AS - Jerry Newport, 57, discovered autism when he saw "Rain Man." Before diagnosis with Asperger Syndrome in 1995, Jerry founded AGUA, peer-run adult ASD support group in Los Angeles, where he met Mary, also Aspergian. Both appeared twice on Sixty Minutes and wrote three books on Asperger Syndrome. "Mozart and the Whale", movie inspired by the Newports, should reach American theaters in 2006. A joint autobiography with that name - due from Simon and Schuster in January 2007. The Newports have worked in tax consulting, gemology, piano tuning/repair and finance. They live in Arizona with one Cockatoo, eight Cockatiels and two Parakeets.

Lisa Janice Cohen, AANE, Parent with AS of AS child, author, advocate - Lisa wears many hats: Professionally, she is a physical therapist in private practice with 20 years of experience working with orthopedics and chronic pain. She is also a published poet and an aspiring novelist. Lisa is currently writing her second novel, a futuristic thriller called "MindBlind." Her first novel, "The Wings of Winter" is searching for a literary agent. Her writing blog is at: www.ljcbluemuse.blogspot.com. Her Asperger self-advocacy blog is at: www.aspies.blogspot.com

 
First part of workshop will devote up to forty minutes to allow all writers to share insight on the complete process of developing a publishable idea, selling to an agent and/or author, working with publisher and what to do after the idea is "on the market."

Second part will devote ten to fifteen minutes to one writer's special experience in using poetry for self-exploration as well as a publishing end. She will also share experience with a novel-in-progress.

Third part, "brainstorming" will invite audience, especially any "writers-in-progress" to add ideas not mentioned or seek more details on presentation content.

See more of The ASA's 37th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-15, 2006)