2011 Autism Intervention Conference: Something for everyone

Aaron Likens, John Constantino, Ph.D., Peter Gerhardt, Ph.D.

“At first glance Aaron Likens looks like any person who might be presenting at a large conference. He stands, a smile on his face, sharing a story that is infused with humor. What makes Likens different is that he has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, a condition that affects the way a person perceives the world and makes communication and social interaction difficult. Eleven years ago, when Likens was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, he never dreamed he would stand before a crowd of people and share his life experiences with such ease.

Likens was one of more than 20 presenters at the 2011 Autism Intervention Conference that was held on Thursday and Friday, April 15-16, at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO. His talk, which opened a window into understanding what life with autism is like, was one of many intended to provide insight and understanding about this complex disorder.

Pictured left to right: Janet Farmer, Ph.D; Maethisa Pongaskri, Ph.D.; Soisuda Vittayakorn, OT and Saithorn Sung-u, M.Ed., OT.

The main focus of the conference was on evidence-based treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It also offered information about current research related to the causes of ASD and in-depth information about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies and school-based interventions.

Maethisa Pongsaksri, Ph.D. Sasithorn Sung-u, M.Ed, OT and Soisuda Vittayakorn, OT, faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, traveled thousands of miles to the conference to share a presentation titled, Across the Miles: Autism Programs in Thailand. During their talk, the researchers shared how they have been using elephants to help children with autism improve their social and motor skills. As part of the therapy, children are required to care for the elephants by feeding and bathing them, and enjoy activities that include riding the elephants for motor skill development and playing interactive games with the animals.

“Our research found that after they had worked with the elephants for several weeks, most participants showed a significant improvement in their social behavior and in their motor skills. “ Vittayakorn said.

“There were a variety of topics offered at this year’s conference,” Dr. Janet Farmer, director of academic programs for the MU Thompson Center said. “in addition to the presentations, we also offered some fun in the evenings with a free movie event on Thursday night and an open house at the Thompson Center on Friday night.”

The Seventh Annual Autism Intervention Conference is scheduled at the same location on Thursday and Friday, April 19-21, 2012.

Members of the University of Missouri Conference Center and Karen Allan, project development specialist and training coordinator for the Thompson Center (second to left).	Ginger Shearon won one of two free registrations to the 2012 conference.