Details

Light on Autism is a free outreach program designed to help families of children with Autism, particularly those dealing with a recent diagnosis.  An Autism diagnosis is an extremely stressful event, even for those who have long been looking for answers.  We seek to shed light on what it means to “have Autism,” and to provide a forum for open discussion about moving forward after a diagnosis.

The program has several 90-minute sessions, each including multiple speakers and plenty of time to ask questions.  See below for a summary of our most recent sessions.  We plan to repeat this program at a future date.

Session 1 – Autism Spectrum Disorder 101

Overview of the Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and the various choices involved in helping your child succeed.

  • Introductions
  • Parent Story/Experience – Philip Walter
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder 101 Presentation – Angie Scott, MD
  • Q&A

Session 2 – Putting Together the Pieces

Details and discussion about the team of professionals often necessary to ensure your child’s success.

  • Introduction/Recap – Angie Scott, MD
  • Panel Presentations
    • Josh O’Neill, MD – Pediatrician/Primary Care Provider
    • Jennifer Nash, BCBA – Behavior Analyst
    • Cheri Stevenson, MS, CC-SLP – Director of Academy and Adult Services, ACCESS Schools
    • John Slattery – Research Specialist, UAMS
  • Panel Discussion
  • Q&A

Session 3 – 5:30 – 7:00 – Session 3

Parent/Family discussion

All the folks involved in organizing this program are parents of kids on the spectrum, professionals involved in treating and educating kids on the spectrum, or both.  If your child has recently been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, we encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, or e-mail Philip Walter directly to get the latest updates.