NY Transit Museum Hosts Forum On How To Best Create Programs For People With Autism

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The New York Transit Museum is holding a day-long conference in May for organizations who are interested in how to best serve people with autism. The conference will include presentations and discussions with experts on autism, including scientists, therapists, parents, educators and advocates.

The museum suggests that all kinds of local organizations attend — community centers, arts organizations, museums, camps, youth development programs, religious institutions and more. It also welcomes psychiatry and social work students, museum studies students, social workers and anyone else from academia studying autism or related subject matter. The museum says parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, advocates and anyone else interested is also welcome to attend.

Access for All: Designing Experiences for People With Autism takes place Monday, May 1st, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in New York Transit Museum, at Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Tickets cost $85, or $60 for students. Register here.

The following is the conference program, via New York Transit Museum.

Keynote Speaker: Amy Gravino

Amy Gravino, M.A., is a Certified Autism Specialist, self-advocate, and the president of A.S.C.O.T. Coaching. She is an autism consultant, mentor, and college coach for individuals on the autism spectrum. Amy is also a professional national speaker who has given two TED talks, spoken at the United Nations, and presented to numerous audiences on a variety of topics related to autism.

The Latest In Scientific & Academic Work On Autism

In this session, scientists, psychologists, and academics will come together to discuss autism from the perspective of their work and also illuminate current scientific research, including Autism Speaks’ genome project and the latest in technology communication. Presenters include professor and psychiatrist Michelle Gorenstein-Holtzman, Autism Speaks’ Head of Genomic Discovery Mathew Pletcher, and professor Meryl Alper.

A Strengths-Based Approach For Developing Programs

How can special interests make students with autism more engaged with the world around them? How can programs use individuals’ interests to create positive environments? Experts in the field will give advice on tools and techniques that can be used to better engage and accommodate people with autism using a strengths-based approach. Presenters include CCC-SLP Susan Brennan and autism specialist Lauren Hough.

Words From A Parent: Beth Rosenberg

Beth Rosenberg is an educator with over 20 years of experience teaching students and educators. She founded Tech Kids Unlimited in 2009 after realizing that her son, who learns differently, loved technology but wasn’t exposed to it during the school day. She is on the faculty at NYU-Tandon School of Engineering in the Department of Technology, Culture, & Society. She consults on special needs and education programs at cultural and community organizations, and she is a tireless advocate for access programs.

Programs In Action

What do successful programs for people with autism look like? Join representatives from the New York Transit Museum, Lincoln Center, MoMA, and the FAR Fund to learn more about current programming trends and how you can bring them back to your organization.

Photo via New York Transit Museum