Autism workshop draws large crowd

The ballroom in the Winneshiek Hotel was bustling with activity on April 9 as 117 teachers, social workers, and others gathered for The Spectrum Network's autism workshop. The conference drew more than double the number expected, and registration was at capacity weeks in advance.

The first of its kind in northeast Iowa, the workshop offered information and strategies for professionals and parents who support persons with autism. Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects how a person gathers and processes information, and can significantly impair the ability to communicate and interact with others.

Presenter Kari Dunn Buron was not surprised by the high attendance. "If you had seats for 200 people, you would get 200 people," she said. Buron has authored several books on autism, and heads the Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate program at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
 
The strong turnout reflects an increase in autism diagnoses. According to the Autism Society of American, autism prevalence is rising at a rate of 10 to 17 percent per year and now affects up to 1.5 million Americans . In Iowa, the U.S. Department of Education reported that 1,330 students had autism from ages 3 to 22 in 2003--a 33 percent yearly increase from 1992 .
Another reason for the high workshop attendance is that autism research is rapidly advancing. Buron said that new developments are reported frequently, leading to better strategies for helping people cope with the disorder.
 
"Clearly the need for this sort of education has grown," said Jan Heikes, Central Point of Coordination (CPC) Administrator for Winneshiek County, which provided financial support for the workshop. "I've put this offer [of support] out for years, and I'm delighted that Spectrum has made it happen." The workshop was cosponsored by Opportunity Homes, Inc. and Northeast Iowa Community College.

Spectrum's executive director Toni Smith said her organization is expanding its programming to accommodate the increased number of high school students with autism who are transitioning to adult services.

Smith added that Spectrum is already making plans to host another workshop next year. "This workshop was initially developed as part of our 35th anniversary celebration this year," said Smith. "It has been so successful that we hope to make it an annual event."