Since the 1970s, the United States has recognized April as National Autism Awareness Month, providing a special opportunity to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. This summer, Lee University will provide one such opportunity with the 10th Annual Southeastern Autism Symposium on Thursday and Friday, June 21-22, at Lee’s Helen DeVos College of Education.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. In March 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that autism affected 1 in every 88 births in the United States. Today, over two million Americans are living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder.

Geared toward parents, caregivers, medical professionals and educators of individuals with autism, the symposium hopes to provide attendees with new tools to manage the complexities of autism.

This year’s symposium is titled “Diamonds are Forever…So is Autism: From Rough Cut to Precious Gem.”  The symposium will feature keynote speaker Dr. Vincent Carbone and several breakout sessions. The event will conclude with a luncheon on Friday, featuring the Life Bridges Trio. Breakout sessions will cover topics including sensory issues, technology, surviving and thriving during the summer break, and employment for adults on the spectrum.

Dr. Carbone is the director of Carbone Clinic in Valley Cottage, N.Y. With over 30 years of experience, he has provided training and consultation to hundreds of Board Certified Behavior Analysts in several states. He has also held many professional positions within the field as well as several teaching positions at universities such as Pennsylvania State University, Simmons College, and Florida Atlantic University. 

In the week of the symposium Lee will host the 4th annual Camp Spectrum, a day camp for individuals with autism ages 4 to adult. The camp will take place Monday-Thursday, June 18-21, from 8-11:30 a.m. Applications for Camp Spectrum 2012 are now available at www.autismsymposiumse.com.

On Thursday, June 21, there will be an all-day workshop with Carbone entitled “Increasing Speech Production of Children with Autism.” Registration for this workshop includes the symposium sessions and luncheon on Friday. The workshop is limited to thirty registrants.

Participants will have the option of a two day symposium only, or an all day workshop with Friday’s symposium sessions and luncheon. Early bird and group rates are available.

The sponsors for the 2012 symposium include Signal Centers, Life Bridges, Orange Grove Center, and Trousdale School.

As for Autism Awareness Month, the Autism Society of America suggests several ways to get involved. Simply wearing an Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon shows support for individuals with autism. Supporters can also take steps to learn about and support several important bills moving through Congress that will affect the autism community.

For more information about these and other ways you can support autism awareness this month, visit the Autism Society of America at www.autism-society.org.

For more information about Camp Spectrum contact Kim Moffett at 614-8672 or kmoffett@leeuniversity.edu.

For more information about symposium pricing and registration contact Karen Brown at 614-8192 or visit www.autismsymposiumse.com.