Day at a Glance
1–2 p.m.
Community Resource Fair
2:15–3:15 p.m.
"Autism Cultural Responsiveness: Moving Away From the Medical Model"
with Sara Gardner, Program Director at Autism Spectrum Navigators, Bellevue College.
3:30–5 p.m.
Neurotistic, A Staged Reading
Don’t miss this brand new musical by Nichols Eveland, with music and lyrics by Kris Bjarke and Nichols Eveland. Neurotistic follows Sammy Alvia, a young adult with autism, as he tries to adapt to a new home, a new school, old problems, and a fleeting sense of normalcy. Filled with humor, sadness, and everything between, Neurotistic is a new work you do not want to miss.
Full Schedule
1–2 p.m.
Community Resource Fair
Voices of Autism will provide an on-site resource fair to connect individuals with ASD and their families with community programs in Washington state.
2:15–3:15 p.m.
"Autism Cultural Responsiveness: Moving Away From the Medical Model" with Sara Gardner, Program Director at Autism Spectrum Navigators, Bellevue College
Much of what we “know” about Autism has been viewed through a medical lens, and as such, seeks to “fix” or make autistic people “fit in” to a typical setting. This presentation explores the culture of autism, including communication patterns and little-known disabling factors that can result in barriers when culture is not recognized. Participants will come away with an understanding of how to truly embrace the autistic people in their lives.
Sara Sanders Gardner, designer and program director of Bellevue College's successful Autism Spectrum Navigators program (now in its eighth year), joins us to share lessons learned from work with students and individual experiences as an autistic adult.
Sara began working in the disability field 15 years ago, when a family member received an autism spectrum diagnosis. Sara’s intense interest and study led to an autism diagnosis, and a new career as a parent advocate, trainer, and president of a large family support group in Orange County, California. Sara is a certified Collaborative Problem Solving Trainer, adjunct faculty, and a member of the Behavior Intervention and Title IX teams at Bellevue College.
After attending this presentation, participants will be able to:
-Explain medical model, social justice model, and spectrum model of autism
-Describe Autistic and Neurotypical Communication Patterns
-Recognize Ableism and Microaggressions in relation to autistic people
-Identify disabling features of autism
3:30–5 p.m.
Neurotistic, A Staged Reading
Don’t miss this brand new musical by Nichols Eveland, with music and lyrics by Kris Bjarke and Nichols Eveland. Neurotistic follows Sammy Alvia, a young adult with autism, as he tries to adapt to a new home, a new school, old problems, and a fleeting sense of normalcy. Filled with humor, sadness, and everything between, Neurotistic is a new work you do not want to miss.
Continuing Education Credit
PSYCH (APA) CEUs: This event provides up to three CE credits in Psychology (APA). Fee: $10 per credit, paid at event.
Help Us Fund Future Community Events
- Go to SPFC's Donation page
- Under My gift amount, type in the amount you wish to donate.
- Under Designation, scroll down and select "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"
The IIIDD is an initiative for individuals with disabilities (IIIDD). It provides funds for the Voices of Autism event and other events that raise awareness, acceptance, and inclusion regarding individuals with differing abilities. Donations to the initiative will help us continue offering these events to the public free of charge.