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8033 THE SISTERHOOD OF THE SPECTRUM (PANEL)

Saturday, July 11, 2015: 8:30 AM-9:45 AM

Room Number: 205 (Colorado Convention Center)

Intense. Vivacious. Impulsive. Introverted. Effervescent. Perfectionistic. Inquisitive. Tentative. Bold. This one of a kind, transcontinental panel of spectrum women show the world that while we each have our own journeys to take, no woman or girl need make her journey alone. “Just be yourself” we’re all told. But for many of us, it’s survival of the generic out there. And for girls and women who operate differently, "authentic" is even harder to imagine....because for many of us, we have no reference point -- no "somebody like me."

This is an invitation. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, some of the amazing women featured in the book, "The Sisterhood of the Spectrum," welcome you to discover (and maybe even join) our Sorority of Super Heroines.

Jennifer O'Toole. Temple Grandin. Lindsey Nebeker. Brigid Rankowski. And via video feed from England, Helen Wallace-Iles, Robyn Steward, and Zaffy Simone.

We are diverse spectrum women -- varying in ages, life experiences, sexual orientation, interests, and personalities -- who are proud to share the commonalities of our lives (the triumphs, mess-ups, and still-haven't-figured THAT out moments) with the world.

Because when you meet other women on the spectrum....it's like looking in the mirror and, for the first time, recognizing yourself.

Our message is universal, clear, and inexpressibly essential: You don’t have to know how to do it all. Not now. Not ever. You just need to trust — even when it seems impossible or ridiculous or downright untrue — that everything you need to live a wonderful, meaningful, beautiful life is already within you.

We offer our own lives as guideposts. We offer drama-free candor free of "mean girl" games -- a spectrum sisterhood to help each woman find her own way.

Yes. Everyone has her own journey to travel — but we're here to prove that don’t have to journey alone.

Learning Objectives:

Explore the many ways autism can appear in women
Develop an appreciation for the importance of camaraderie among women on the spectrum
Recognize that authenticity is the only way to reach individual potential

Content Area: Personal Perspectives

Presenters:

Jennifer O'Toole
Author and CEO, Asperkids LLC
Asperkids

Jennifer O'Toole is the author of ASA's 2014 Outstanding Literary Work and bestselling Asperkids series. One of Tony Attwood's "Top Aspie Mentors" and winner of the Temple Grandin Award, Jennifer has advised the President's Council on Disabilities and keynotes internationally. She is an Aspie and proud mom of three Asperkids.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Author, Speaker, Professor

Dr. Temple Grandin was diagnosed in 1950. She is a doctor in animal science, a professor at Colorado University and has received several honors and awards in her lifetime. Grandin is a prominent author, speaker and is on the Autism Society’s Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism.

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.

Lindsey A. Nebeker, B.A.
Self Advocate

Lindsey Nebeker is a musician, presenter and autism self-advocate. She holds a BA in Music Technology and is a Partners in Policymaking alumna. Lindsey has appeared in Glamour, Good Morning America, NPR. She is featured in the documentary Autism in Love which debuted at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.

Chloe M. Rothschild, Self-Advocate
Writer, Advocate

Chloe Rothschild is a young adult with autism and a visual impairment. Chloe is a presenter, advocate and writer. She is managing editor for the Autism Research Institute's Adults With Autism eBulletin and a member of OCALI and iTaalk's advisory boards.

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