We are looking for dynamic and empowering proposals that include practical strategies and evidence based practices encompassing issues facing Autistic individuals, their families, and those that support them.  Areas of interest include:

• Confirm commitment to present within 1 week of notification of selection.
• Refrain from changing the title and content of the session after the proposal has been accepted.
• Provide a PowerPoint presentation after the proposal has been accepted.  All selected presenters are required to email their presentation handouts in PowerPoint format to alefevre@autismgreaterwi.org by April 12, 2024.  The handouts will be converted to PDF handouts and placed on a secure website for conference attendees to print on their own.
• Adhere to Universal Design Guidelines.
• Use respectful language while presenting. We ask that all presenters:
  
  • Please use Neurodiverse affirming verbiage. Avoiding functioning labels (high, low, mild, severe, etc), and instead discuss relevant supports or services for targeted needs of individuals. 
  • Refrain from using the r-word in any context.
  • Please avoid possible triggering terminology. Including but not limited to mentions of; restraint, seclusion, self-harm, or other types of abuses. If these topics are part of your presentation, please list them in your submission.
• Provide their own laptop computer at the conference.  A screen, projector, slide advancer, and microphone will be provided in each breakout session room. MAC users are required to bring the appropriate adapter to hook up to the LCD or VGA projector.  The Autism Society cannot guarantee the Kalahari will have additional adapters for use.
• Adhere to all deadlines specified in the proposal form.

The purpose of the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin’s Annual Conference is to provide a wide range of information to those within the autism community. Our goal is to provide relevant information for attendees at all levels, including those who are new to autism and those who have years of experience. The following factors will be considered when selecting proposals:

• Thoughtful completion of ALL sections of the proposal and adherence to directions.
• Relevance to conference attendees.
• Number of presentations on the same or similar topics and/or subtopics.
• Content-area coverage.
• Presenters’ apparent level of expertise.
• Professional and geographic distribution of presenters.

• November 17th, 2023 – Deadline to submit proposal
• Late December 2023 – Decision notices are sent
• Early January 2024 – Time/day of sessions are sent
• April 12th, 2024 – Microsoft PowerPoint presentations of accepted proposals due for online handouts

*Confirm you can make it: breakout sessions may be scheduled the morning of Friday, April 26th through early afternoon Saturday, April 27th. Please do not submit a proposal if you are unable to present your session at any point during this time-frame. Special scheduling requests are not guaranteed.