Defining Autism: From Nonverbal To National Speaker

Kerry Magro, who was nonverbal until 2.5 and diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 4, speaks on tips and strategies he used to graduate with a master's degree from Seton Hall University in Strategic Communication while winning a scholarship to pursue speaking as a profession from the National Speakers Association. In his session, Kerry will discuss early intervention, schooling, self-advocacy, adult services, employment, defining your strengths, and much more! Kerry's presentation called "Defining Autism: From Nonverbal to National Speaker" is the story of a 25 year old autistic adult named Kerry Magro and his journey through his 20+ years on the autism spectrum. A recent Masters Graduate at Seton Hall University in Strategic Communication and Leadership, Kerry would come into this year's conference with over 2 years of experience as a National Motivational Speaker after receiving a scholarship from The National Speakers Association to pursue his M.A.

What makes Kerry’s message unique is that Kerry started out his life with delayed speech and today he has made it his mission to take his weaknesses and turn them into strengths to help him “Make a Difference” not only in his life but the lives of others.

Several of his topics he will talk about are dedicated to life tips and poetry, focused on the positives that life can bring. It’s a story that gives you a bit of everything from education on disabilities, humor, life experiences and, maybe most importantly, a theme of how to overcome obstacles. Parents, individuals with disabilities, experts in the field along with other audience members will not only be able to use this presentation as a toolkit on life on the Autism Spectrum but also as a story of hope coming out of confusion and desperation.

What also makes Kerry’s presentation unique is that he is one of the few autistic adults self-advocating for change in how our society deals with autism and those with autism-related disorders. The fact that many of his topics focus on communication shows an element in the world of autism that hasn’t been explored yet. What also will make Kerry’s story different is his personal life narrative of how he went from being “disabled” with minimum communication skills to now speaking so articulately and communicating so clearly that many say he could have never been autistic (but he is) It offers not only hope to parents with children on the spectrum but also provides inspiration to those children on the autism spectrum.

The learning objectives for those in the audience are but will not be limited too...

• To understand the topic of autism in more detail from an autistic's perspective
• To offer hope for parent's, caregivers and professionals that interventions and therapies can maximize positive outcomes
• To increase awareness of challenges of leaving behind an IEP and/or entering a college/work setting with reasonable accommodations
• To become familiar with the impact of adults with autism pursuing self advocacy on the autistic community
• To highlight the challenges facing the autistic community in terms of employment and housing opportunities for those reaching adulthood with autism

As a winner of the Autism Society’s 2011 Outstanding Individual With Autism Award this would be the 3^rd Kerry has had an opportunity to present and his 5^th time attending this conference overall. What helps contribute to Kerry’s presentations is his conversation style of presenting. He sets out for each presentation he does to make sure to let the audience see a new part of who he is.

Topics that will additionally be included in his presentation are…

• Autism By The Numbers
• College with a Disability
• Ways to help Serve The Autism Community
• The positive impact of Theatre in an Early Intervention Program
• Having Autism vs. Being Autistic
• How to Become a Self-Advocate
• Much much more!

With that we hope you will take Kerry’s presentation for consideration for this year’s conference!