2020 Presenters

2020 Southwest Washington Autism Conference

Post Secondary Success: Personal Experiences and Recommendations

Recent College Graduate, Autistic Adult

Sophia Apgar is a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, where she learned more about her own disability. Diagnosed as autistic while in college, she is still learning to navigate the intersections of her lived experience with disability and the theoretical material she learns in her classes.

She now attends graduate school to pursue a career in school psychology, so that she can help other students gain the skills and confidence they need to be successful.

Building Partnerships Between Parents and Teachers

Regional Administrator For Early Learning and Special Education, ESD 113

Kerri graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a dual major in Elementary and Special Education.  Previously, she has worked in Special Education as an Education Specialist and a Resource Room teacher for the Centralia School District and as a Special Education Paraprofessional in Douglas, Wyoming.
 
In her current role, Kerri provides systemic, procedural, and instructional support with the emphasis on creating inclusive educational opportunities.  She is passionate about empowering every student to succeed through the use data-based instruction, tiered interventions, and universally designed instruction in the general education setting.

Puberty and Autism

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Mary Chmelik has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 20 years. She started her career as a Nurse Practitioner in pediatric primary care, where she specialized in children with developmental disabilities and behavioral disorders.

For the last 8 years at Mary Bridge Neurobehavioral Medicine in Tacoma, she has specialized in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder, evaluating developmental delays and treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity. She feels privileged to spend her career serving children and families.

Engaging in Relationships in a Neurodiverse World – with J. David Hall

Marcelle Ciampi
(aka Samantha Craft)
Autistic Author and Community Advocate

Marcelle Ciampi is best known for her writings found in the well-received blog and book  Everyday Aspergers. A professional educator, she has been featured in various literature, including peer-reviewed journals.

Marcelle works as the Senior Recruiter and Outreach Specialist at Ultranauts, a technology company with a neurodiversity-hiring initiative, and is a consultant for Uptimize and Spectrum Fusion. Marcelle speaks globally on the topic of neurodiversity. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her sons and life partner. 

Autistic Self-Advocacy: How To Empower Yourself or Your Child

Autist, Osteopath, Employment Recruiter

Dr. Heather Dimmitt is an autistic adult employed by Ultranauts as a Recruiting and Engagement Coordinator. She is passionate about autistic advocacy, and employment disparities that exist for autistic adults. Her work involves supporting a mission of strength through neurodiversity and inclusion in the workplace.

She earned a BA in Biological Psychology from New College of Florida and an Osteopathic Medical Degree from A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. 

ABCs of IEPs

Arzu Forough

Executive Director, WA Autism Alliance & Advocacy

Arzu Forough brings over 20 years of experience in training and development to her position, including leadership development, government relations and non-profit management. 

In 2007 she founded Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy, developed the “Autism IEP Supplement: Best Practice Guidelines for Educating Students with Autism”. Her IEP supplement as well as guidelines for training teachers was legally adopted by the Washington State legislature in 2008 and became the requirement for all teachers working with learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders statewide.

Autism Cultural Responsiveness | Neurodiversity Navigators Program @ Bellevue College

Neurodiversity Navigators* Program Director, Bellevue College

Sara Sanders Gardner brings seventeen years of experience working with autistic youth and adults in K-12 and college settings. Sara has experience working for Microsoft in their Autism Inclusive Hiring Program; training hiring managers, and managers and co-workers of autistic applicants and employees since the inception of the program in 2015.  Sara is autistic and was diagnosed as an adult. 

* nationally recognized educational and support college program with proven outcomes now in its 10th year serving 130 students.

Engaging in Relationships in a Neurodiverse World – with Marcelle Ciampi

Autist & CEO, Life Guides for Autistics | Neuroguides

David is a Corporate neurodiversity consultant, keynote speaker, autist, anti-racist, relationship purist, cultural bridge builder, published writer, Dad to three autistic persons and founder, CEO of the nonprofit Life Guides for Autistics | Neuroguides.  Passionately focused on guiding neurodivergent persons to discover their strengths, gifts and enjoy meaningful lives. A relentless optimist, an encourager who is out to build up individuals, to better communities one great relationship at a time.

David lives in Olympia, Washington with his personal and professional partner, Marcie, where they enjoy birding, books, writing and family.

Open Books: Communicating With Autistic People

Lutheran Pastor, Autist

Rev. Anna Haugen is pastor of Chinook Lutheran Church in Chinook, Washington, and Naselle Lutheran Church in Naselle, Washington. Originally from Oregon, Anna received a BA in History from Luther College and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. She learned she was autistic while in college. She was ordained in 2012 and served for six years as pastor of Underwood Lutheran Parish in Underwood, North Dakota. She welcomes opportunities to share her lived experience as an autistic self-advocate.

Toilet Training In Children With Developmental Diagnoses

Pediatrician

Dr. Johnson is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma. Dr Johnson works closely with her young patients’ families to determine the best, individualized treatment and to help understand options to make informed health care decisions.

She is a graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency and developmental pediatrics fellowship training at University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Imagine Schools That Are Anti-Racist

Education Equity and Social Justice Advocate

Erin Jones is a Washington State leader on issues related to equity and social justice. She has 30 years of experience in education (in all-Black schools, predominantly White schools and very diverse schools) as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, a state and school district administrator.

Erin won awards as a teacher and as an administrator. In 2016 she ran to lead the Office of Superintendent, losing by a mere 1%. Erin is the mother of 3 adult children (one on the spectrum, one with dysgraphia) and the wife of a high school English teacher and head football coach.

Self-Defined Living: Creating a Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From

Autism Advocate and Author

BECCA LORY HECTOR, CAS, BCCS was diagnosed on the autism spectrum as an adult and has since become a dynamic autism advocate, consultant, speaker, and author. With a focus on living an active, positive life, her work includes autism & neurodiversity consulting; public speaking engagements; being an Assistant Editor/Feature Writer for Spectrum Women Magazine.

Becca seeks to spread acceptance, building understanding, and encouraging self-advocacy.

My Storytelling As An Autistic Author and Advocate

Educator, Author and Autist

Jen Malia is autistic, an associate professor of English at Norfolk State University and the author of Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism, a children’s picture book published by Albert Whitman in Spring 2020.  She has appeared on NPR’s With Good Reason and written essays for The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Woman’s Day, Glamour, and others. Her essays have also been published in The New York Times: Understanding Autism.

She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and three kids. You can find her on
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and her website.

Distance Learning: Tips and Tools for Student Success

Distance Learning: Transition from High School To Career

Autism Consultant, Advocate and Mom

Monica provides Technical Assistance and training to Residential and Supported Employment agencies supporting individuals with Classic Autism, specifically those who are non-verbal. Monica’s is an activist in the promotion of Autism Specific “Best-Practice, Evidence Based” Strategies that support communication, choice and independence.

Monica has a wide range of knowledge and 
expertise in “Best-Practice, Evidence Based” Strategies that includes Picture Exchange Communication Systems, TEACCH, Pivotal Response Training, Social Stories™ to name a few.

Empowering the Next Generation of Neurodiverse Self-Advocates

Haley Moss

Attorney, Author, Artist, Autism Advocate

Haley Moss (our Keynote Speaker) is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license.

Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis.

Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends.

Racialized Ableism & Disability Justice in Turbulent Times

Social Equity Consultant, Educator, Autist

ChrisTiana ObeySumner is a social equity consultant, educator, advocate and autistic. They joyfully approach change management and organizing by combining scholarship of historical social justice foundations; contemporary analysis of 21st century social consciousness; critical analysis and forecasting of social trends; and lived experience as an intersectional professional and academic.

ChrisTiana believes our history will predict our future; finding it an invaluable tool to understand from where we’ve come and where we are going.

Unmasked: Inspiring Inclusion Through Illustration

Artist, Author, Autism Advocate

Liz Pritchard is a Rochester, NY artist, autistic, author and autism and disability rights advocate. After college Liz followed her path by becoming an autistic comic book artist who has always loved to draw. 10 years ago she started drawing a comic about her feelings and experiences with being on the autism spectrum.

Liz’s work to erase the negative stigma that often surrounds autism and mental illness cam enable those who share similar struggles to talk more about their feelings and get the help and support that they need.

My Child’s on the Spectrum: What Next?

Link Coordinator and Parent

Born in Massachusetts and then living most of her life in Washington, Victoria is mother of two neurodiverse boys, 7 and 12 years old. Son Luis was diagnosed with autism at age 2.  Victoria knows how to navigate the services system from her own struggles with it. While some days can be rough, most are filled with milestones, laughter and love. She serves as Link Coordinator for the Autism Coalition, helping others find resources so their journey is easier and full of their own success. 

Getting Started With DDA

Amanda Sherry

 

DDA Supervisor

Amanda Sherry is the Developmental Disabiilities Administration (DDA) Intake and Eligibility Supervisor and Regional Coordinator for Region 3. Amanda has been with DDA for the last three years and she was a Case Resource Manager for a year before becoming a supervisor.

She has an MA from Gonzaga University in Organization Leadership. 

Developing Skills in the Natural Environment

Audra Sisak

Therapist, Advocate and Autist

Audra Sisak is an autistic and epileptic self-advocate. She holds a Master’s of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. Her work started in clinical research, then took another turn when her son was also diagnosed with autism and epilepsy. She became a therapist and advocate for their community, along with working for non-profits such as Specialized Autism Support and Information (SASI) and Greater Pierce Special Needs PTA. 

 

She is the founder of an online support group called Washington State Autism Support for Parents and Adults (WASPA) and the founder/owner of Healthy Wings Therapy. When she is not working for her community, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her fantastic, mini-me, son. Her hobbies include reading, watching sitcoms, listening to an array of music, going to stand up comedy shows, dancing, and sunbathing at the beach!

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