myASDF Sponsors Flying High With Autism Conference

SCHERERVILLE, IN, April 04, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (www.myASDF.org), a national organization that provides financial assistance for families living with autism, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Flying High With Autism conference presented by Autism Pensacola and the University of West Florida.

Flying High With Autism is an annual autism conference that gathers leaders who have overcome various forms of autism. Designed to provide hope, inspiration, and education to parents and other loved ones of people living with autism, the conference gives attendees the opportunity to hear from over twenty speakers and participate in breakout sessions.

myASDF's donation of $5,000 will enable fifteen parents to attend all three days of the conference held in Autism, Pensacola, at the University of West Florida conference center from May 13-15, 2013.

"We are very grateful for the difference myASDF has made and continues to make for those living with autism," said Susan Byram, executive director of Autism Pensacola. "myASDF's sponsorship gift for Flying High will inspire and challenge fifteen parents who will learn to believe that anything is possible for their children."

Temple Grandin, Eustacia Cutler, Anita Lesko, Stephen Shore, Craig Evans, John Elder Robison, Mary Robison, Jennifer O'Toole, Ann Millan, and Tony Attwood are among the two-dozen speakers featured at this gathering of renowned autism activists, leaders, and educators. Special guest Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will also attend the event and give a speech on "Autism and America's Future."

With presentations and breakout sessions including such topics as "Obstacles into Opportunities: Turning Away from Closed Doors and Opening New Ones," "Making the Connections in College," "Verbal Behavior: A Key to Effective Language and Social Skills," "Therapies and Stumbling Blocks for Individuals with Autism," and "Autism and the Family Identity," the Flying High With Autism conference is a much anticipated event aimed at showing the world all that is possible for people living with autism.

One of the biggest challenges of putting together a conference of this size with so many accomplished speakers is the cost for attendees. Many families with autism have limited resources due to the high costs of providing the extra support needed for special classes, activities, equipment, and other expenses. The financial support of myASDF will help many struggling local families attend the conference and hear from such autism luminaries as Temple Grandin.

myASDF partners with several autism organizations to provide funding and scholarships of autism programs including social skills camps, a holiday gift card program, film camp, and swim programs. myASDF is proud to contribute to Flying High and continue to support Autism Pensacola with all of the work it does to give funds directly to people living with autism.

"myASDF is a difference maker," said Byram. "Through your gift card program, you made Christmas possible for ten families who didn't have any plans for Christmas last year. Through your camp scholarships, you have funded the chance for children to play and learn in the summer who would otherwise have been regressing during this time. Thank you is not enough, but we are so very grateful."

The three-day Flying High With Autism conference will be held from May 13th to May 15th, and will include a Hometown Heroes reception honoring military families/personnel and local first responders affected by autism on May 14th from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Visit http://www.autismpensacola.org/conference.html to register for the conference and sponsor attendees.

About Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (myASDF)
myASDF is a nonprofit organization that supports children with autism spectrum disorders by providing education, information, and financial assistance to their families and relevant community service organizations. Funds donated to myASDF support programs that directly assist families raising children with autism. Visit http://www.myASDF.org, email info@myASDF.org, or call 877.806.0635 for more information and to see how you can help.