Join us in Constructing Foundations for Success!

The 2008 Conference focuses on strengths and interests in individuals on the autism spectrum - and how building on those areas can become a pathway to growth.

April 30 - May 3, 2008

download the conference brochure (PDF)

Register Today! Registration is now closed.  You may register for $125/day by mailing or faxing in your registration form and payment.  registration form (PDF)

Location
Double Tree Park Place Hotel
1500 Park Place Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55416
view hotel map and directions

A limited number of rooms are available at the special conference rate of $109.00 plus tax for a single or double room.   This rate is available until April 8, 2008.  Please call 1-800-245-9190 to reserve a room.

A Salute to Autism

AuSM is pleased to announce the Salute to Autism at the 2008 Minnesota State Autism conference.  Teens and young adults are invited to sing, play an instrument, read an original poem or offer another performance for our conference attendees.  Please fill out the application form and return it to AuSM to be a part of this special event!

Dates of performances:

May 2, 2008  8:30 - 9:00 am or

May 3, 2008 8:30 - 9:15 am

  download A Salute to Autism registration form (PDF)

Featured Speakers

Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D. & Elijah Wapner

Fostering Interests in Children with ASDs

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

7:00 - 8:30 pm

Ruth Aspy, Ph. D. & Barry Grossman, Ph.D.

The Ziggurat Model: A Framework for Designing Comoprehensive Interventions

Thursday, May 1, 2008

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Teresa Cardon, M.A., CCC-SLP

The Power of Initiation: Teaching Strategies for the Whole Child

Thursday, May 1, 2008

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Luke Tsai, M.D.

Taking the Mystery out of Medications in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

Thursday, May 1, 2008

 7:00 - 9:00 pm

David Amaral, Ph.D.

Neurobiological & Neuroimmune Factors in Autism

Friday, May 2, 2008

9:00 - 10:30 am

Paul Collins

The Autisphere: How Autism Changed the Past, the Present and the Future

Saturday, May 3, 2008

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Registration Policies

Registration Deadline

Registration deadline is April 18, 2008.  Registrations will not be accepted without payment or a purchase order.  Registration is $125/day after the deadline.  Confirmations will be sent via email by April 25, 2008.  Please include your email address on this registration form.

Cancellations

All cancellations must be called into the AuSM office by April 23, 2008.  No refunds will be given after this date.  AuSM will keep a $25.00 processing fee for all cancellations.

Volunteer Rate

To qualify for the volunteer rate, you must be a member of AuSM and attend a training session on April 30, 2008 at 5:30 pm.

Saturday Workshops

Saturday workshops include a special focus for members of the ASD community.  Reduced registration fees are available for individuals on the spectrum only.  Conference attendees who wish to accompany an individual with ASD must pay and register at the appropriate full day session rate.

Questions about registration?  Please contact Laurie at ldixon@ausm.org or 651-647-1083 x. 13.

Exhibitor Information

AuSM is pleased to offer space for exhibitors at the conference and ad space in the conference program.  This is an excellent way to have direct contact with over 2,000 parents, educators and professionals. 

download exhibitor letter (PDF)

download exhibitor registration form (PDF)

For more information, please contact Jane at jhubbard@ausm.org or 651-647-1083 x. 10.

College Credit

Students enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Duluth may earn one and one-half (1.5) collegiate graduate or undergraduate semester credits by attending the conference.  The course is SpEd 5795.  Please contact Mary Jean Menzel at mmenzel@d.umn.edu for more information.

Registration form (DOC)

Syllabus (DOC)