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2018 Fall Conference

October 11, 2018 @ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Not Your Mother's Social Stories™
Presented by: Carol Gray

Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center
Neenah, Wisconsin
At the close of the workshop, participants will receive a Social Stories 10.2 Certificate of Completion personally signed by Carol Gray

Social Stories are an internationally respected, evidence-based practice that has been effectively employed by parents, professionals, family members, and friends (referred to as Authors) in their work on behalf of people with autism or social communication differences. Though the ‘heart’ of Social Stories has stood the test of time since their introduction in 1991, they have kept pace with research and experience – resulting in this new, dynamic workshop that makes it very clear that today’s Social Stories are “…Not Your Mother’s Social Stories.” Social Stories have grown up. Today’s Stories are more sophisticated, tackling topics with an informed awareness of context and concepts. In this 2018 training led by Carol Gray, the founder of Social Stories, participants will learn how to research, develop, and implement Social Stories for all age and ability levels with an emphasis on writing for adolescents and adults. At the close of the workshop, participants will receive a Social Stories 10.2 Certificate of Completion personally signed by Carol Gray.

Social Stories™* (Junior Articles for tweens and Social Articles for adolescents and adults) have helped individuals with autism of all ages meaningfully understand and respond effectively to daily interactions and events. The earliest roots of Social Stories extend to efforts to help secondary students with autism succeed in vocational experiences in the community; giving Social Stories a sound philosophy and timeless practical value. Despite Social Stories’ popularity and high regard, parents and professionals often do not use them to their full advantage, or forego the opportunity to systematically employ them throughout an individual’s lifespan. This training includes the most current information on Social Stories, an explanation of why they are often so immediately effective, as well as new ideas to gather information to identify the most specific and relevant topics, to empower participants to take full advantage of their potential for the people in their care.

Using lecture, discussion, case examples, and activities, this workshop describes the latest Social Stories 10.2 criteria as well as never-published ‘tricks of the trade’ strategies. It also includes information on how to write Stories about previously unaddressed concepts (context, categorization, organization, patience, sexuality, resilience, perseverance, as a few examples) while building self-esteem and supporting generalization at the same time. Authors will gain an updated understanding of what a Social Story is (and what it is not) and will leave equipped with the updated skills they need to make Social Stories work harder and longer for each person with autism from first steps through adulthood.

Carol Gray is a Consultant to Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Autism, providing support via workshops and presentations, information, referral, resources, and direct services for individuals with autism, their families, and professionals who work on their behalf.  Carol is best known for the development of Social Stories, a well-respected evidence-based practice used worldwide with people with autism of all ages.  She is an internationally sought-after keynote and seminar speaker, and has completed over 1,000 presentations.

Carol is also the founder of a very effective social philosophy that 1) ‘abandons all assumptions’, 2) regards both the typical and autism perspective as ‘equally valid’, and 3) recognizes the ‘social impairment in autism’ as shared (noting the well-intentioned but nonetheless misguided mistakes of parents and professionals).  She has completed ground-breaking work on some of the toughest topics in autism by reviewing the research, outlining new theories, and developing practical instructional strategies, most notably Gray’s Guide to Bullying (2004) and Gray’s Guide to Loss, Learning, and Students with ASD (2003).

Carol has received many awards for her work, including Social Thinking’s Lifetime Achievement Award (San Francisco, 2015); Learning Spring School’s Spectrum Award for her global efforts education and improving the lives of people with autism (New York City, 2012), the Autism Society of America Education Book of the Year, The New Social Story Book: Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition (2009), and the Barbara Lipinski Award (Lansing, Michigan, 2005) for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with autism.

Schedule
8:00 – 8:45 – Check In
8:45 – 9:00 – Welcome
9:00 – Workshop Begins
10:30 – 15 Minute Break
11:45 – 12:45 – Lunch
2:15 – 15 Minute Break
4:00 – Workshop Ends
 
 
Details

The conference is being held at the Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center, 1000 Cameron Way, Neenah, WI 54956.

Conference check-in is from 8:00 am – 8:45 am, with the full conference taking place from 8:45 am – 4:00 pm. The conference will be held in the Marquette Ballroom.

Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided during check-in, and a soup and salad buffet will be provided for lunch.

Please keep in mind that in order to receive a signed Social Stories 10.2 Certificate of Completion, you must be present for the entire duration of the conference.  Certificates will be handed out at the close of the workshop.

Please contact Amber with any questions at agollata@asw4autism.org or (920) 558-4600.

 

Pre-registration has now closed.

Onsite registration prices:

  • $125 for an Autism Society Member
  • $150 for a non-member
  • $75 for a person with ASD

Handouts and additional conference packet materials are not guaranteed for onsite registrants. 

Cancellation Policy: If for any reason your registration needs to be cancelled, a written cancellation request must be submitted by October 1, 2018. A $25 processing fee will accompany any cancelled registrations. A $30 processing fee will accompany returned checks.

Exhibit registration has now closed.

Conference exhibitors will have the opportunity to connect with conference attendees prior to the workshop, during the two scheduled breaks and the lunch period.

Exhibit Set Up: 7:00-8:00 am
Exhibit Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Take Down: 4:00 – 4:30 pm

Sponsorship registration has now closed.

There is a room block available at the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel for the night of Wednesday, October 10th. Please call the Best Western Bridgewood at (920) 720-8000 and request a room under the Autism Society of Wisconsin Room Block.

Deadline to reserve a room in the room block is Monday, September 10th. Discounted rates and availability are not guaranteed after this date.

PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/13, all scholarship positions have been filled. 

The Autism Society of Wisconsin is excited to offer a special opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend the 2018 Fall Conference. Scholarships cover the cost of the conference registration only, travel expenses are not included. Scholarship opportunities were made possible by a generous sponsorship from Friends of Autism.

Scholarships will be processed in the order they are received. Early submission is encouraged. Applications must be received by September 21, 2018 to be considered.

After attending the conference, scholarship recipients will be expected to submit a brief statement about how the information learned at the conference will increase the quality of life of those affected by autism.

Conference Sponsors

Details

Date:
October 11, 2018
Time:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Venue

Bridgewood Resort & Conference Center
1000 Cameron Way
Neenah, WI 54956
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