Lee University will soon host the fifth annual Southeastern Autism Symposium, this year entitled, "The Three R's of Autism: Research, Realities, Relationships." The symposium will be July 13-14, in the Lee University Helen DeVos College of Education.

The event will feature three keynote speakers, one for each "R." Jon Baio, the Centers for Disease Control; David Morris, CEO of Habitat for Humanity; and Karen Simmons, CEO and founder of Autism Today and a parent of a child with ASD.

Jon Baio, behavioral scientist with the CDC, will be addressing the topic of research. Baio is a member of a team of researchers working at Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) who is studying Autism Spectrum disorders in the United States. This 14 site surveillance program is providing needed information concerning prevalence, diagnosis, and amount of time lapsing between evaluation and diagnosis. He has co-written several articles pertaining to autism. His latest is entitled "A Public Health Collaboration for the Surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorders" published in 2007.

David Morris will be addressing the topic of realities. Mr. Morris is the CEO and co-founder of Habitat International Inc. in Chattanooga. He frequently advises business owners around the country on how to launch their own disability-hiring programs. A popular lecturer who speaks from the heart, he is often invited to share his company's story with disability advocates, healthcare workers, special education teachers, civic leaders and others who want to learn more about the realities of hiring people with disabilities.

In addition to hiring adults with disabilities, Mr. Morris frequently invites special-ed vocational students to learn job skills at Habitat. He believes that educational mainstreaming not only gives special-needs students a chance but also helps other people let go of their fears about those who are different.

Karen Simmons will be addressing the topic of relationships. Ms. Simmons, the mother of a child with autism, is the founder of Autism Today, the number one resource site for autism.

In addition to Autism Today, Ms. Simmons founded two other active organizations: Canadian Autism Resources and Events (www.CanadianAutism.com), which hosts Canada's Keys To The Treasure Chest conferences on autism and Aspergers (www.KeysToTreasures.com); and The KEEN Education Foundation, a non-profit which strives to fund educational resources for families with exceptional needs.

Ms. Simmons is the author of Little Rainman: Autism Through The Eyes Of A Child to help her son, Jonathon better understand his autism and explain his uniqueness to others. She has compiled two more books: The Autism Experience: Stories of Hope and Love and Artism: Art By Those With Autism which received the Global Book Publishers Award immediately upon its release.

For more information on the symposium or to register to attend, please contact Hariett Cannon at hariettcannon@leeuniversity.edu or by calling 614-8192 or 614-8175.