Breakout 1

Friday, April 4

10:20 AM – 11:20 AM

Understanding the Autistic PDA Profile

Diane Gould

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) awareness has finally come to America. Diane will give an overview of the history of PDA, features of the PDA profile and then focus on the PDA supportive approach. Time will be allowed for questions.

Strategies and Supports Promoting Safety in the Home and Community

Rebecca L. Thompson

This presentation will offer teaching strategies and visual supports to encourage safe behavior at home and in the community. Topics covered will include managing elopement from rooms and buildings, staying within the boundaries of a yard or playground, staying near caregivers in parking lots and in stores, as well as identifying community helpers. This presentation will be appropriate for individuals supporting learners of all skill levels. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss strategies they have found helpful and share their own successes with teaching safety skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Transition Care Mapping

Timothy Markle

Growing into adulthood is complicated. There are many, many different parts of life that change. There are also many services and supports that change was well, including Health Care. In Transition Care Mapping we will help families (and supporters) to visually represent the current picture of supports/services and then look forward to what supports/services may change as the young adult grows. We will begin with how Health Care Transition fits into the Transition picture and look at different options for you to draw a Transition Care Map. Bring your creativity, we’ll provide the paper and markers!

Understanding the Experiences of and Language Surrounding Autism and Queerness

Chelsea Budde, Noey Budde

Non-confirming gender identity and sexuality are represented in up to a quarter of autistic populations. For straight, non-autistic parents who fell naturally into establishing a heteronormative household, the questions that arise in their autistic children’s lives as they journey through puberty can be confusing. Hear from a young AuDHD adult (autistic ADHDer) who identifies as nonbinary and their mom on how they navigated the journey, what they know now they wish they’d have known sooner, and how to be an ally.

Empowering Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities: A Presentation on Support and Advocacy

Tessa Lewis

At Wisconsibs, we understand the important role siblings play in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Tessa will discuss the significance of supporting and empowering the brothers and sisters of people with disabilities on their lifelong journey. This presentation is for siblings, parents, guardians, and professionals wanting to understand more about the sibling experience.

Breakout 2

Friday, April 4

12:20 PM – 1:20 PM

Employment Panel

This breakout session will include a panel of autistic adults sharing their experiences with employment from triumphs to challenges. The panel will cover topics related to the interview process, disclosure, accommodations, and more.

Outnumbered: From Overwhelming to Thriving

Megan Hufton

What do you do when you find yourself outnumbered in your house? That is exactly what a single mom raising two children with nonspeaking Autism had to find out! Taking a situation that on paper, looks extremely overwhelming, and embracing it at every twist and turn until everyone comes out thriving! From sensory tools to visual supports to building independence to living for the inchstones, this presentation will tackle all of the ways to create a home environment that supports the different needs of multiple children on the Autism spectrum in a creative and manageable way for parents and caregivers.

Autistic Joy Across the Lifespan

Megan Leick, Trish Layde

Let’s expand our understanding of autistic joy in this presentation by drawing through-lines between autistic joy, play, patterns, and comfort! Identification and exploration of autistic joy provides ways to access empowerment, community, and moments of mindfulness in an ableist society. During this presentation we will incorporate various autistic voice’s definitions of autistic joy, identify barriers to accessing autistic joy, and provide multiple strategies for fostering autistic joy individually or collaboratively. We intend for this presentation to foster multi-sensory learning to support many neurotypes.

Bridging the Gap in Autism Services for the Hmong Community

Tia Ly

In addition to language barriers, the prevalent cultural stigmas pertaining to disability in the Hmong community can dissuade qualified families from seeking autism services from their local providers. This presentation will speak to the parents who need culturally responsive information about autism so that they can make informed decisions. Hmong and non-Hmong professionals who support Hmong families will walk away with strategies to make meaningful connections and learn how to bridge the gap so that autism awareness can evolve to autism acceptance.

Supporting Students with Autism: Proactive Strategies for Reducing Behavioral Conflicts

Katie Prybylski, Kim Bruessel

This session offers practical strategies for educators to proactively support students with autism, reducing the likelihood of behavioral conflicts. Attendees will learn evidence-based practices that promote positive interactions, foster student engagement, and address individual needs, creating a more inclusive classroom environment for all learners.

Breakout 3

Friday, April 4

1:40 PM – 2:40 PM

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Awareness, Acceptance, and Action in Parenting Autistic Children

Jennifer Bluske, Meredith Wodrich

(1:40 PM – 4:00 PM, two-part session continued in Breakout Session 4)

Join us as we explore the transformative approach of connected parenting, specifically tailored for families with autistic children. We’ll look at a number of key principles that create strong, nurturing relationships. Discover how co-regulation serves as the bedrock of this parenting style, allowing for emotional harmony between parent and child. We’ll also introduce the practical framework of Awareness, Acceptance, and Action, equipping you with essential tools to implement connected parenting in your daily life. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or new to this path, our session promises insights that can enhance your connection with your child and help them thrive!

Crisis & Neurodiversity 101

Cheyenne Ver Voort

What is neurodiversity? What happens when a neurodivergent person is in crisis? How can I help more than I hurt? This workshop will examine the intersection of crisis intervention and neurodiversity by exploring unique considerations for neurodivergent clients in crisis, with a special focus on autism and related disorders. This workshop aims to improve crisis intervention services for neurodivergent people by growing professional knowledge of neurodiversity, sharing resources, and providing education on best practices while centering the voices of people with lived experience.

Leveraging insurance benefits for augmentative and alternative communication solutions

Sarah Marshall, Brooke Aitken

Communication is a basic human right. Access to an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device is considered medically necessary for Autistic individuals with communication challenges and who desire an AAC device. Many insurances in Wisconsin, including Medicaid, provide coverage for AAC devices. This session will highlight the many benefits of insurance-funded AAC systems. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how to obtain an insurance-funded AAC system and questions to ask to help decide if that’s the path for them.

Empowering Futures: Active Roles in IEP and Transition Planning

Brittany Punches

This hands-on session empowers students aged 12–21 and their caregivers to take an active role in creating meaningful transition
plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Participants will explore tools such as surveys, discussions, and resources to identify interests, communication preferences, and goals. The workshop highlights services and supports that students may access through federal and state requirements. Attendees will engage in interactive activities designed to build self-determination skills and ensure all voices are heard. Materials provided can be used during the session and beyond, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making for a successful transition to adulthood.

Breakout 4

Friday, April 4

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Awareness, Acceptance, and Action in Parenting Autistic Children

Jennifer Bluske, Meredith Wodrich

(1:40 PM – 4:00 PM, two-part session continued from Breakout Session 3)

Join us as we explore the transformative approach of connected parenting, specifically tailored for families with autistic children. We’ll look at a number of key principles that create strong, nurturing relationships. Discover how co-regulation serves as the bedrock of this parenting style, allowing for emotional harmony between parent and child. We’ll also introduce the practical framework of Awareness, Acceptance, and Action, equipping you with essential tools to implement connected parenting in your daily life. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or new to this path, our session promises insights that can enhance your connection with your child and help them thrive!

Thriving on the Spectrum: Empowering Mental Health and Wellbeing and Preventing Autistic Burnout

Lindsay McCary

We will explore essential strategies for enhancing mental health and wellbeing among autistic individuals. This presentation addresses the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families, focusing on practical tools for promoting resilience and reducing the risk of burnout. Attendees will gain insights into the importance of self-care, support networks, and tailored interventions that foster emotional regulation and empowerment. By sharing real-life experiences and evidence-based practices, we aim to create a collaborative space for professionals, families, and autistic individuals to learn together, ultimately paving the way for a thriving autistic community.

Empathy in Action: Enhancing Care for Individuals with Disabilities

Jennifer Meyers

This session is designed to enhance the empathy skills of professionals working with individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn the importance of empathy in providing high-quality care and support, and how to apply empathetic communication techniques to improve interactions and outcomes. The session will include practical exercises, case studies, and interactive discussions to reinforce learning and encourage the application of empathetic practices in daily work.

Build Your Bridge: Autistic Youth Moving from Child to Adult Healthcare

Aracely Portillo

Moving from the child to the adult healthcare system is challenging and stressful for autistic youth and their families. There are many unknowns. The process can be even more distressing for families from other cultures whose first language is not English. The Build Your Bridge session will be presented in Spanish by a native speaker. Parents will learn about strategies to increase their child’s independence while staying true to their culture. They will work on a plan for their child’s transition using a workbook provided to each family and learn about changes in providers, consent, privacy rights, insurance, and decision-making.