University of San Diego Autism Institute Summer Autism Conference
Autism: Work With Me, Not On Me Speaker Biographies Camille Clark Camille Clark is the parent of two grown children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Camille herself has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Her special interests lie in critical analysis of autism-related topics such as prevalence, treatment safety and efficacy, and autistic human rights. Camille holds a degree in psychology from University of California – Davis. She is widely known as the person who writes the Autism Diva blog, and she also contributes as Ms. Clark to several group blogs found on the Autism Hub.
Steve Dionne Steve Dionne is the proud father of three boys, one of whom was diagnosed with autism in 2004. Steve is the author of the One Dad’s Opinion blog, which is part of the Autism Hub. Steve earned a B.A. in psychology with an emphasis on neurophysiology from the University of San Diego in 1993. Steve’s interest in autism is broad, but primarily emphasizes societal inclusion and a positive parenting approach.
Anne M. Donnellan, Ph.D. Dr. Anne Donnellan has a distinguished career in teaching, research, and writing on autism and related disabilities. She is a leader in developing and promoting positive and human approaches to support and understanding of individuals with the autism label. Currently, Dr. Donnellan is a Professor in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego and Director of the University of San Diego Autism Institute. She
2 also serves on the California Advisory Committee for the Autism Spectrum Disorders: Guidelines for Effective Interventions Project. Her recent publications include: I can’t get started: “Stress and the role of movement differences for individuals with the autism label” in Stress and Coping in Autism published in 2006 by Oxford University Press, “Invented knowledge and autism: Highlighting our strengths and expanding the conversation” in JASH, and Movement differences and diversity in Autism/Mental
Retardation.
Darlene Hanson, MA, CCC Core Communication Partners Whittier, CA Darlene is a speech and language specialist with an expertise in working with individuals with severe communication impairments. Darlene has been working in this field for 22 years. Her work focuses on bringing alternate modes of communication to those who do not use speech to communicate effectively. Currently she is focusing on training the communication partners to increase the communication. Darlene received her Masters of Arts from Whittier College, and her Bachelors of Arts from Chapman College, both in Communication Disorders. She is also recognized as a Master Trainer in Facilitated Communication, and has participated in the writing of the Standards of Best Practice for Facilitated Communication from Syracuse University, and has co-authored research on authorship for Facilitated Communication.
Bev Harp Bev Harp is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. Her interests include advocacy, social justice, Supported Employment and talking toy birds. As one of the “Hidden Horde” of autistic adults who grew up without an understanding of her challenges and differences, Bev has come to see the world very differently through the lens provided by an Asperger syndrome diagnosis. In the interest of sharing information, hope and experience, Bev writes the blog Asperger Square 8, along with her best bird, Squawkers McCaw.
3
Stephen Hinkle, B.S. Stephen Hinkle is a recent graduate of San Diego State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Stephen is an individual with autism who grew up in the special education system. He currently works as technology support at a Charter High School in San Diego. Stephen is a national speaker and an advocate for all individuals with disabilities.
James (Dad of Cameron, Autism Street blog) James has a diverse background. With experience as a field EMT in San Diego for several years, he has the benefit of perspective from interaction with a diversity of people from a public safety personnel perspective, as well as a strong interest in evidence-based medicine and science in general. As a parent of an autistic child, those interests have carried over into his writing at the Autism Street blog. James and his family now live in Phoenix, Arizona where he works in the field of emergency telecommunications.
Estee Klar-Wolfond Estee Klar-Wolfond, an author of several books and various journals, lecturer, and Founder/Executive Director of The Autism Acceptance Project (www.taaproject.com), was a successful public art curator in Toronto who has now turned her interests to "Outsider" art and how it challenges status-quo views of disability. She is also current graduate student of Critical Disability Studies at York University. Her interest in disability is due to her six year old boy named Adam, and she describes her recent journey in the autism world on her popular blog titled The Joy of Autism (www.joyofautism.blogspot.com). When Adam was given the autism label she quickly began to notice how the press as well as well meaning advocates and others “catastrophize” autism. Tragic, devastating and other fear producing words are readily applied and produce fear in families and in our culture. She founded the The Autism Acceptance Project to promote an alternative view of children and adults with the autism label and to advocate for a more productive and supportive approach to individuals with autism and their families. The mission of The Autism Acceptance Project is to conduct projects that challenge status-quo views and ask the question: what kinds of
4 help to autistics need in order to contribute to society as autistic people?
Martha R. Leary, MA, CCC-SLP Martha Leary is a Speech and Language Pathologist who has worked with people with autism and their families for over 30 years. She has worked with people with complex needs and lectured extensively in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia and England. Her highly acclaimed journal article with David Hill and her publications with Anne M. Donnellan, Ph.D. present a scholarly review of alternative ways of viewing the symptoms of movement difference which may affect our understanding of people with challenging behaviors. Her recent publications include: "I can't get started: Stress and the role of movement differences for individuals with the autism label" coauthored with Donnellan and Robledo in Stress and Coping in Autism published in 2006 by Oxford University Press; Movement differences and diversity in Autism/Mental Retardation with Donnellan; and “Moving on: Autism and movement disturbance� with Hill in the journal Mental Retardation. Martha is also an urban gardener in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Kate McGinnity, M.S. Kate McGinnity is an experienced classroom teacher and trainer, and a nationally recognized consultant in the field of autism. She has over twentyfive years’ experience working with individuals with autism and their families. During her tenure as a teacher, she was recognized as the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year and The National Teacher of the Year by the Autism Society of America. Together with her husband, Kate had the honor of foster parenting an adolescent on the autism spectrum for two and a half years. For over fifteen years, Kate has been a primary developer and presenter for the Wisconsin State-Wide Autism Training Project, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. She is currently in private practice, providing training and consultation to professionals and parents, as well as counseling and yoga to individuals on the autism spectrum. Kate co-authored Walk Awhile in My Autism: A manual of sensitivity presentations to promote understanding of people on the autism spectrum, with Nan Negri. Kate is committed to bringing her passion and compassion to every aspect of her work and life.
5
Nan Negri, Ph.D. Nan has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families since 1972. She has been a classroom teacher, a signed-speech therapist, a staff and parent trainer, a program administrator, a university lecturer, and an educational and behavioral consultant. Nan works with and alongside individuals with autism so that together they can identify the opportunities and support they want and need to develop meaningful relationships across their lives. She believes it is critical to teach skills that promote community presence and value. Nan has an extensive background in applied behavior analysis, and believes it can and should be applied through a humanistic and relationship-based approach. She is committed to finding clear and compassionate ways to communicate, work, and be with people with autism, their families, and others supporting them, and to helping everyone have FUN in the process.
Jodi Robledo, Ph.D. Dr. Jodi Robledo is a special education teacher at San Diego Unified School District. She is also an Adjunct Professor and Research Associate at the University of San Diego, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Autism Institute. Her work focuses on autism and other developmental disabilities, sensory and movement differences, relationship building, and communication. Dr. Robledo presents at national conferences and has recently co-authored “Properties of supportive relationships in the lives of academically successful individuals with autism� in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and "I can't get started: Stress and the role of movement differences for individuals with the autism label" in Stress and Coping in Autism.
Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed. Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed., is an educator, author, and consultant on disability. Her combined life experiences as the sibling of a man who experiences autism, and as an elementary and college educator in the field of disability, have led to passionate disability education for children and youth, and society as a whole. Her dedication to Ability Awareness in Action has
6 brought several honors including her school’s Teacher of the Year, 9th District PTA Honorary Service Award, and recent California State PTA Awards in the areas of Advocacy and Outreach. Her bilingual, children’s picture book, All the Muchos in the World, focuses on a family’s love. In Diana’s view, her greatest honor has been growing up with, loving, and learning from her brother, Joaquin.
J.D. Walsh
JD Walsh is the founder of Ultimate Improv and has been teaching improv for 14 years in Southern California. As a graduate the UCLA school of Theater film and Television JD has performed in over 50 national commercials, TV shows such as CSI, 24 and Studio 60 and movies as diverse as Love Liza to Bad Boys 2. In 1999 after being frustrated with how improv was being taught at the larger schools in the city, JD decided to open an Improv theater that believes Improv/Comedy does not need to be fast, loud and soulless but instead takes patience, risk and heart. He has been a visiting instructor at the Globe Theater in San Diego as well as teaching improv workshops in Chicago, New Zealand, Boston and New York.