Advocating for people with autism

The Panhandle Autism Society will present its fifth annual fall conference Nov. 7.

And who better to speak on autism-related matters than someone who knows autism firsthand?

"Our goal has been to bring world-class speakers on autism to North Idaho," outgoing president to the PAS board Jennifer Cork said Monday. "This will be the third speaker who is a person on the spectrum."

PAS, a Coeur d'Alene nonprofit dedicated to autism awareness, advocacy and support, will present "A Virtual Day with Dr. Kerry Magro" during this six-hour online conference.

Magro has a doctorate in educational technology leadership, is the CEO and founder of nonprofit KFM Making A Difference and is an award-winning national speaker and best-selling author. Since 2011, Magro has also worked as a consultant and adviser for film and TV to ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum are accurately represented. His most recent work was for HBO's "Mrs. Fletcher."

"I was able to listen to him speak at the Autism Association of America conference last summer," Cork said. "One of his big pushes is to make a platform for people with not just autism, but other disabilities, to be able to speak."

The conference will include three modules: 10 Ways to Help a Person with Autism Across the Lifespan; It Takes a Village: How to Form Yours; and the Self-Advocate Expert Panel.

"There will be a panel of local people on the spectrum to talk about what it’s like to be a person on the spectrum," Cork said.

Magro provides a first-person perspective and tips for people with autism who want to go to college, Cork said.

"If you’re struggling and you don't know how to navigate the change from high school to college, that’s something he figured out as he went," she said.

PAS received a grant from health care company Optum Idaho, which manages benefits for the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan for Idaho Medicaid members and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, to provide 50 free conference tickets for people on the spectrum or parents with children on the spectrum who live in the five northern counties. Those interested in the scholarship tickets are asked to email info@panhandleautismsociety.com to provide their name, if they’re on spectrum or have a child on spectrum, what county they're from and what they have to learn from the conference.

Otherwise, tickets are $25 per person. Those who attend the conference will also receive a certificate for six hours of continuing education.

"Our biggest thing is our goal to make resources like this available in North Idaho, so you don't have to travel or search for it," Cork said. "Every year we can bring a high level or well-known speaker here — hopefully next year it can be in person — so we can have that opportunity, even though we live in a rural area."

Info: www.panhandleautismsociety.com