Empowering Individuals, Creating Community
The Bucks County Autism Support Coalition is an all volunteer, community-based group focused on maximizing the personal development of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This group is comprised of educators from local school districts and intermediate units, mental health professionals, physicians, behavior specialists, and parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
BCASC 5TH Annual Autism Conference Registration
Conference registration for the BCASC 5th Annual Autism Conference is now available. The conference is March 24, 2012 at Central Bucks South High School at 1100 Folly Road, Warrington, PA 18976. This year we welcome Dr. Stephen Shore as our keynote presenter. In addition, we have 3 breakout sessions througout the day covering a wide variety of topics. An exhibitor hall will be availalbe to attendees in order to learn more about local resources. To learn more about the conference and to register please visit our registration website by clicking HERE. Exhibitor and sponsorship registration is also available at this time by visiiting the Conference website.
Keynote: Life on and Slightly Right of the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View Towards Success
Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Recently, Dr. Shore has accepted a professorship at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.
President emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.
CEUs AVAILABLE:
BACB - Approved up to 4.5 hrs.
ACT 48 - Approved up to 6 hrs.
BCASC Education Committee meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
Where: 408 Lakeside Drive, Southampton PA 18966 at the Clarity office
For more details, e-mail education@bcasc.org
BCASC Parent Forum
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Doylestown Health & Wellness Center, 847 Easton Road, Warrington PA 18976 (in the Doylestown Room on the lower level of the building.)
The group is open to all, including parents, grandparents and guardians or children and teens and adults on the autism spectrum in Bucks County and surrounding areas. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders often feel socially isolated and have difficulty finding information and support.
The group will be an open forum, with no pre-planned agenda. Discussion will revolve around areas of concern or interest to the parents in attendance.
Contact parentforum@bcasc.org for more details
Check out the Parent Forum page for 2011-2012 dates.
Highlights
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is now being classified as a "significant public health issue", affecting nearly 1 in 110 or almost one percent of all American children. This represents a staggering 57% increase from 2002 to 2006, and a 600% increase in just the past 20 years.
- The CDC reports that in recent studies, it is estimated that the lifetime cost to care for an individual with an ASD is $3.2 million. This is 4.1–6.2 times greater than for those without an ASD.
- Autism is diagnosed more frequently than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and all forms of childhood cancer combined.
- According to the PA State Autism Census, there will be ~25,000 Pennsylvanians with Autism in 2010 with 80% of them being male.
- Bucks County has the 5th highest population of individuals on the Autism Spectrum out of Pennsylvania's 66 counties.
- PA State estimates show that there will be over 3,800 Adults with ASD by 2010. A 179% increase from the 2005 figures.
- PA State estimates also show that there will be over 10,000 Adults with ASD by 2015 and near 20,000 Adults with ASD by 2020.
