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3568 What Women Want You to Know

Friday, July 11, 2008: 1:45 PM-3:00 PM

Sun Ballroom C (Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center)

Listen we explain how higher competency for social mimicry, the questionable 4-1 ratio and an inappropriately applied mental health model (not to mention hormones!) misdirect professionals, resulting in prolonged and inaccurate diagnoses. WHAT DO WOMEN WANT?! and need to become successful? How do we define “personal success” hopefulness and what is our “action plan” for progress? How are we shaped as parents, daughters and grandmothers? We will discuss forgiveness and unconditional love for ourselves as the key for wellness. Our panelists include a college student and a former college educator.. a social worker and writer; former construction crane operator and energy therapist...verbal, formally non-verbal and excessively verbal.
     We are the women of the Autism Society of America’s first ever WHAT WOMEN WANT! Panel of Women Succeeding with Autism Differences. We are daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers all belonging to a larger sisterhood rising from misinformation, misdiagnosis and maltreatment to lives in wihc we define and seek our own individual success. Lives forever growing and expanding; lives with challenges leading to lives that are full, rich and worthy of attention.
     Listen as we explain how higher competency for social mimicry results in under-diagnosis. Hear why we question the 4-1 ratio what the implications of inappropriately applied mental health models (not to mention hormones!) misdirect professionals, resulting in prolonged and inaccurate diagnoses.
    How can you define “personal success” for yourself? How do you maintain hopefulness and create your own “action plan” for progress? How has our autism (and how will yours) shaped you as a friend, parent, daughter and grandparent? Finally, we will discuss forgiveness and unconditional love for ourselves as the key to forgiving others in our combined aspiration for individual wholeness and emotional/physical wellness.

Bio: Ruth Elaine Hane

Founder - Aspie Get-Together social group; contributing author, Ask & Tell, book on Self Advocacy. Diagnosed as an adult, understands and facilitates energy balancing through Chi Field Integration; Creator of a system for face processing/non-verbal communication, Face Windows. Advocates for people on the spectrum, serves on the ASA Board.

Ruth Elaine Hane

3247 Humboldt Avenue South

Minnespolis, MN 55408

612-825-1337

Learning Objectives:

Particpants will learn what impact gender makes in diagnosis and treatment of autism differences
Professionals, families and individuals will learn why traditional treatments (from a mental health model) are not only unhelpful, but often, dangerous for persons living with ASDs.
Participants will learn how each of us defines "success" and what action plan we are using to reach our own goals for living successfully
We will discuss pivotal moments which positively impacted our present success.
Participants will learn how unconditional love/acceptance may have changed our lives. Our parenting, our relationships.

Content Area: Personal Perspectives

Presenters:

Dena Gassner, LMSW
Director
Center for Understanding

Dena is a nationally recognized service provider to teens and adults with AS. A co-author of Scholars with Autism Achieving Dreams, she assisted the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in rewriting their state handbook. She is a member of the Autism Summit Team and the Governor’s Speaker’s Bureau.

Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
Open Center for Autism

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.

Sondra K. Williams, Adult, with, Autism
Parent, Advocate, Speaker, Presenter
None

Sondra Williams is an adult with autism in the state of Ohio. She is married and has four kids all diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. She is the author of the book titled Reflections of Self and a DVD titled "Define Me."

Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., C.R.C.
Manager of Programs and Education, Hussman Center for Adults with Autism
Hussman Center for Adults with Autism at Towson University

Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., C.R.C., has worked with adults and teens on the autism spectrum for 14 years. Currently he develops and manages programs at Towson University's Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, where he also teaches courses on autism and disability issues. In addition to his work at Towson University, Zaks speaks and writes on disability issues; trains professionals; and serves on the boards of several local and national autism organizations. Zaks has specific expertise in understanding and navigating the adult disability system. He councils families on the important changes that take place, both within the family and in the world, during this unique time of life when children grow up.

Ruth Elaine Hane, B.S., Reiki, Master/Teacher
Practitioner
Chi Field Healthcare

Ruth Elaine Hane is the founder of the Aspie Get-Together social group and contributing author to Ask & Tell, a book on self-advocacy. Diagnosed as an adult, she understands and facilitates energy balancing through Chi Field Integration. She is the creator of a system for face processing/non-verbal communication, Face Windows. She advocates for people on the spectrum and serves on the ASA Board.

Brigid Rankowski, B.A.
DSP/CRMA, Vaudevillian, and Autistic

Brigid graduated with a B.A. from Cornell College and is currently working on her Masters from Nova Southeastern University. She works as a teaching assistant, a DSP and is in the award-winning vaudeville troupe The Dark Follies.

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