KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The new Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training at the University of Kansas will hold a first-of-its-kind conference for Kansas families and professionals Nov. 6 and 7 in Wichita.

Autism Across the Life Span is the first statewide conference for families and professionals that addresses issues from early childhood through adulthood with evidence-based best practices, according to Debra Kamps, K-CART director and KU senior scientist.

“The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders of one in 150 is greater than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined,” said Kamps, “and appears to be increasing at 10 to 15 percent a year.”

The conference takes on the most pressing needs of families, rehabilitation professionals, service providers and educators: early education, social skills and behavior, transition to adulthood, community living and employment.

Keynoters Phil Strain, Paul Wehman and Susan Wilczynski, all pioneers in understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with ASD and their families and communities, will give a national perspective to the state of autism knowledge and services.

Sixty-three speakers, including KU researchers from several fields, as well as experienced practitioners, employers, parents and program directors from government and consumer organizations will present state of the knowledge in applied research and best practices across the life span in 41 sessions.

Conference-goers will learn how KU research has produced successful models for parent-toddler interaction, school-based peer group social skills training, transitions through life stages from kindergarten to college or vocational training and on to employment and community living.

Of special interest to practitioners are sessions on KU’s telemedicine, autism training and positive behavior support programs.

Families will get also get updates on medical insurance issues, the Kansas autism waiver program and on financial and legal planning.

K-CART was established in 2008 with private and public funds as a multidisciplinary center to promote research and training on the causes, nature and management of autism spectrum disorders. Committed to the highest standards of scientific rigor, K-CART generates new scientific discoveries about ASD, disseminates research-based practices by training professionals, practitioners and families who serve children and adults with autism, and provides clinical services through the Center for Child Health and Development at the KU Medical Center.

The conference is co-sponsored by the KU Life Span Institute at Lawrence and Parsons; the Center for Child Health and Development, KU Medical Center; the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services and the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, Special Education Services andKansas State Department of Education.

Online registration is still available, but space is limited. For more information, go to http://kcart.ku.edu/autism-across-lifespan/index.shtml. The conference is at the Hilton Wichita Airport Executive Conference Center.