Event Information
Streaming Session
Recorded SessionFeaturing an energetic, engaging presentation style, in conjunction with lively PowerPoint slides and lots of facilitated audience interaction, this presenter creates and holds a space in which attendees can participate in a robust discussion about what science knows and does not know—yet—about autism. Included on the slides will be source data substantiating the presenter’s assertions.
—0:00–5:00—Greeting, introduction, preview of the hour.
—5:00–15:00—Fun, interactive, whole-group Facts & Myths Game
—15:00–22:00: Brief, engaging review of the relevant history of autism in which we explore the ever-evolving perceptions, diagnostic criteria, and prevalence, and how they are inter-related.
—22:00–32:00—Exploration of practical questions:
•Why do there seem to be so many more students with autism today?
•What causes autism? (Mothers? The environment? Vaccines? Tylenol?)
•Is autism an epidemic?
•Can anything prevent autism?
—32:00–40:00—Exploration of ethical questions:
•Is autism a tragedy that destroys families and children?
•What is neurodiversity?
—40:00–50:00—Application in the classroom
•How can teachers use these new perspectives in the classroom?
•How will these new perspectives impact student outcomes at school?
—50:00–60:00—Q&A, presentation of resources, wrap-up.
—Supporting data and further reading will be made available to all participants which they can use to explore this topic more deeply and to share factual information with interested parties beyond the conference.
—Please note: These details may be updated slightly to accommodate changes in the national conversation about autism at the time of the conference.
From this session, participants will get answers to their burning questions about autism. Participants will collect a body of fact-based information about autism, culled from the most current and verifiable data that will inform, enhance, and refresh their perspectives about their students on the autism spectrum. This paradigm shift will make a critical difference in transforming outcomes for these students.
Teachers will take away fresh, new energy, strategies, and ideas to guide their efforts at differentiation and inclusion.
Administrators will take away the knowledge needed to set an informed, realistic, and inclusive tone across the district.
And students will ultimately benefit from being supported by educators who believe in them, advocate for them, understand their distinct strengths and challenges, and who meet them where they are to invigorate their potential.
Among others:
—From the New York Times: Why is there so much more autism today? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/opinion/why-autism-rates-increased.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kU8.32zc.pCXpp0QJ-e3P&smid=url-share
—From the American Psychological Association—Correcting misinformation: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/09/advocate-autism-wave-misinformation
—From Johns Hopkins School of Public Health—Setting the record straight about vaccines: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-evidence-on-vaccines-and-autism
—From The Chlld Mind Institute—Explaining neurodiversity: https://childmind.org/article/what-is-neurodiversity/
—From The Mayo Clinic—Causes of autism: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928#:~:text=Genetics.,risk%20of%20autism%20spectrum%20disorder
—From the CDC—Data and Statistics on autism: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
—From the Journal of Pedagogical Research—How teacher attitudes effect student outcomes: https://www.ijopr.com/download/the-positive-and-negative-effects-of-teacher-attitudes-and-behaviors-on-student-progress-13090.pdf
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