United Autism Alliance Hosts the 11th Annual ``Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002'' Conference in Los Angeles

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Title:	United Autism Alliance Hosts the 11th Annual ``Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002'' Conference in Los Angeles

Summary:	PASADENA, Calif., Mar 12, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nation's Largest Autism Conference Arrives at a Time When the State of California Has Declared Autism to Be a Statewide Public Health Crisis

Source:	Business Wire
Date:	03/12/2002 11:00
Price:	Free
Document Size:	Short (1 or 2 pages)
Document ID:	FD20020312220000160
Subject(s):	California; Children; Community; Conference; Education; Executive; Hosting; Legislation; Maryland; Mississippi; Pilot; Profit; Satellite; Technology; Washington DC; Web
Document Type:	Press releases

United Autism Alliance Hosts the 11th Annual ``Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002'' Conference in Los Angeles

Story Filed: Tuesday, March 12, 2002 11:00 AM EST

PASADENA, Calif., Mar 12, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nation's Largest Autism Conference Arrives at a Time When the State of California Has Declared Autism to Be a Statewide Public Health Crisis

United Autism Alliance (UAA), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that helps people with autism reach their fullest potential and lead meaningful lives, is hosting its 10th annual "Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002" Educational Conference from March 15-17 at the Pasadena Convention Center & Civic Auditorium in Southern California.

"Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002," now the largest conference on autism in the nation, aims to educate and offer parents, caregivers and professionals the opportunity to hear from renowned speakers throughout the country and learn first hand about new and exciting advances in autism.

"Autism is a major problem -- a public health crisis in California -- and people need to be aware of how pervasive and far reaching it is. This conference seeks to educate and support lives that are touched by autism," said Frank Paradise, executive director of UAA. "It's grown with the problem. Three years ago, 900 parents attended the conference held in Burbank and since then, we have increased to about 3000 attendees this year."

Autism is a severe, lifelong neurological development disability and, amazingly, three years ago one in 500 children were diagnosed with autism -- today, that number is one in 250. Moreover, 37 percent of all disability cases being filed in the state of California are related to autism. UAA is focused on providing direct services and educational programs to those with autism spectrum disorders and their families to the entirety of Los Angeles County. As autism becomes more prevalent in today's society, it is imperative that the public is made aware of what is available to them.

"Autism: A Journey to Solutions 2002" will feature 30 renowned speakers throughout the country speaking on various topics concerning autism and the services available, 75 product and service exhibitors, and reach over 3000 people who have already signed up for the event.

In addition, there will be three special "Super Sensory" sessions by Gail Gillingham, MS, who will give 60 people (20 people per session) the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a person with autism for an hour in an effort to replicate the experience of their world. These 60 individuals will also have the chance to share their experience with other conference goers at a session held later in the conference. Gillingham has 13 years of experience working in the field of autism and has written two books: "Autism: Handle with Care" and "Autism: A New Understanding."

Enhancements to the conference include a live interactive "T1" conference from Washington, DC. This will be a unique session that features a technology that is 50 times faster than satellite transmission. Stanley I. Greenspan, MD will speak about "A Comprehensive Developmental Approach for Assessment and Intervention with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Challenges in Relating and Communication" and will be able to visually call on people raising their hands in Los Angeles to ask a question. Dr. Greenspan is best known for creating the model of "Floortime" for young children with autism that is now used worldwide and incorporated into thousands of behavioral programs.

For more information, please visit UAA's Web site at www.autismsocietyla.org

    About United Autism Alliance

Based in Los Angeles, the United Autism Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)3 association that provides education, support services, community resources and legislative advocacy on behalf of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, helping them reach their fullest potential and lead meaningful lives. The UAA serves as one of the largest resources for persons with autism, their families and professionals who work with persons with autism in Los Angeles County. Additionally, because of its size and scope, the UAA exerts its influence as an advocate surrounding legislation concerning autism and other disabilities at the county and state levels.

Originally the Autism Society of Los Angeles, the UAA was founded in 1969 by a group of parents who united to fight on behalf of their children to prevent them from being placed in state hospitals at an early age and to support the implementation of pilot programs to include all children with developmental disabilities in the public school system.

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