The theme is “Empowering Quality of Life”
The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at Utah Valley University (UVU) announced its annual Autism Conference. Pre- and one-day conferences will be held Feb. 22-23 from 9 am-4 pm in the Sorensen Student Center’s Grand Ballroom on UVU’s Orem Campus.
The 2024 Autism Conference is a highly anticipated event for individuals with autism, their families, and those who work with them. Husband and wife duo Dr. James and Chrissy Williams will headline this year’s conference, offering insights and expertise to attendees.
Chrissy Williams advocates for those with autism. Dr. James Williams is the CEO of Bloom Consulting in Round Rock, Texas, which specializes in providing vocational services, evaluations, and training to individuals with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is also a certified rehabilitation counselor, an advanced certified autism specialist, and a certified special education teacher.
This year, a new preconference has been added on Feb. 22 that will focus on employment strategies for those with autism. It will include information on preparing for and seeking employment and how individuals can maintain employment success.
The main conference on Feb. 23 will focus on quality of life strategies and will include workshops like “Working Together for Success: Collaboration, Techniques for Parents and Educators,” “Preparing Students With Disabilities for Postschool Success,” “Mental Health and Job Preparation,” and “Creating and Using Digital Activity Schedules.”
“The conference started as a request from the community, as there was a need for more information for families and professionals on how to best support autism,” said Laurie Bowen, associate director of the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism. “Since its inception, it has grown into an annual tradition, providing crucial insights and interventions that can be immediately incorporated into life settings.”
The conference is a unique gathering that brings together individuals with autism, their parents and family members, and educators and professionals from various fields. By combining community expertise with insights from experts across the United States, the conference aims to empower and extend the capacity of all involved.
“The UVU Autism Conference is the impetus behind all the other services offered at UVU,” Bowen added. “It provides a necessary foundation for furthering critical life-changing and life-saving support, making differences on both the micro and meta level in our direct communities.”
Attendees can expect evidence-based approaches and a community-focused atmosphere that fosters collaboration and innovation in supporting individuals with autism and their families.
For more information and to register for the UVU 2024 Autism Conference, visit https://www.uvu.edu/autism/conferences.
