RAISE is a FREE community event. Our goal is to provide autism and IDD resource awareness in the Greater Capital Region. We are looking for exhibitors and sponsors at this time.

Join as a sponsor below to provide important information and resources to the community.

Join as an attendee to take advantage of the information and resources provided by the sponsors by reserving your FREE ticket above!

We have four objectives:

· To increase the capacity of families and providers to find appropriate resources in their community

· To increase awareness between providers to inform the autism and IDD community of available options

· To increase community awareness of colleges/universities role in service provision and educating/training future service providers

· To increase community knowledge of Anderson Center for Autism and the services and supports to optimize quality of life for individuals with autism

5:15-6:00 PM Breakout Session
"The Toolbelt for Autism in Adulthood"
Presented by Dr. Priya Winston PHD LMSW
This presentation will discuss a holistic set of skills that allows people with Autism to thrive independently in adulthood. Some of these skills include but are not limited to: self-advocacy, time management, and emotional regulation. This presentation also offers strategies based on the evidenced-based methods of Behavior Skills Training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These strategies can be used by family members, teachers, and clinicians of young people with Autism to teach the skills discussed in this presentation.

BIO:
Dr. Priya Winston is the Director of Curriculum and Clinical Supports of Transitions. Transitions is a program for young adults with Autism and Learning Differences to pursue goals of going to college, entering the workforce, and living independently. With a decade of experience with the program, she oversees the teams of professionals who provide research-based counseling and educational services to the students across three campus locations. Due to her own personal experience with a learning difference, she wanted to support others who were going through a similar journey for her career. In July of 2023, she received the Future of Excellence, Clinical Champion Award from The Arc New York Executive Directors’ Association. She completed her Ph.D. in social work from SUNY University at Albany in December of 2023. Dr. Winston is also an adjunct professor of Utica University's Master's in Social Work Program. Additionally, she is the founder of Experts for Neurodivergent Young Adults, an organization with a network of experts from around the world in the fields of law, medicine, mental health, education, and other areas who have devoted their careers to enhancing the lives of neurodiverse young adults.

6:15-7:00 PM Breakout Session
"First Responders and People Diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum: What Each Needs to Know About the Other"
Presented by Dr. Bobby Newman PHD BCBA-D LBA
As more and more people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders live in the community, opportunities for interactions with first responders (police, fire, EMT, etc.) have increased exponentially. Training for first responders has been non-existent or not always been optimal, however, and this has unfortunately led to misunderstandings with tragic consequences, including people with ASD being shot and killed and first responders being injured. In First Responders and People Diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum: What Each Needs to Know About the Other, Dr. Bobby Newman provides the information and background that will allow for safer interactions and avoidance of the tragedies that have occurred.

BIO:
Bobby Newman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst in New York and Tennessee, and Licensed Psychologist in New York and Florida. Affectionately known as the Dark Overlord of ABA, Bobby is the first author on over a dozen books regarding behavior therapy, the philosophy of behaviorism, the autism spectrum disorders, utopian literature, and fitness as well as several book chapters and training films. He has published over two dozen articles in professional journals, as well as numerous popular magazine articles and has hosted two series of radio call-in shows. Bobby is the Past-President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment and the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. A popular speaker, Bobby also provides direct treatment, staff training and consultation around the world, and has been honored for this work by several parents and professional groups. He is the Executive Director of Clinical Services for Proud Moments.