As  children approach and enter the teen years, they must deal with  physical growth spurts, mindboggling hormone releases, and ever-changing  and challenging social relationships.  Children begin to care about  being “cool,” and classmates may no longer be as tolerant. For  pre-adolescent children with ASD, these already complicated physical and  social changes are compounded by the typical ASD-difficulties of  reading social cues and understanding the behaviors of others.  Consequently, children with ASD approaching adolescence have greater  transition needs than most typically developing pre-teens.

Additionally,  parents of pre-adolescent children also need support.  By the end of  elementary school, parents begin to look toward the future. They begin  to think about what their children will be when they “grow-up” and worry  if their children will ever “catch-up” academically and socially.   Other concerns arise from the facts we know – preadolescence is a time  children can develop seizures, have greater trouble sleeping, and are  faced with greater academic demands at school.  All in all, the  transition into adolescence is a difficult one and a time when many  families realize ASD is a life-long disability, that will require a  life-time plan.

• Presenters will include experts in the field of autism, including psychology, behavior, medicine, and social work
• You will participate in a panel with family members of adolescent children on the autism spectrum

Cost: $25 for parents/guardians, $45 for professionals, $75 for professionals with continuing education credits* includes Resource CD, Continental Breakfast

* Continuing education credits in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, and Act 48 are pending approval of appropriate boards.

In order to keep costs low, lunch with NOT be provided. We ask that all participants pack and bring their lunch. Alternately, a   light assortment of soups, sandwiches, and salads are available for   purchase in the 16th floor cafeteria, and there are several lunch carts   in front of the 3535 building.
Price does not include parking. For directions and parking options, please visit: http://www.centerforautismresearch.com/directions/directions_to_car 

Contact

Gail Stein, MSW Center for Autism Research autism@email.chop.edu 267-426-4910