2025 Rethinking Autism Conference - April 3-4

Welcome to the 2025 Rethinking Autism Conference! Join us for TWO FULL DAYS of in-person learning and skill-building (or ONE DAY of virtual attendance). Enjoy insightful presentations, networking, and, by popular request, a full-day of hands-on workshops on Day 2!

This 2-day in-person event will take place at Carter Hall located in the beautiful Carter Hall at University of Southern Indiana on Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th, 2025 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM each day.

NOTE: In-Person attendance on Day 1 is required to attend the Day 2 workshops.

FULL Conference Option: (In-person attendance is required for both days)

DAY 1: Presentations

DAY 2: Hands-On Workshops and World Autism Week Luncheon

Connect with knowledgeable professionals and hear from individuals with complex needs who will share why we must rethink and expand our understanding of autism. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to stay current and informed, while buidling your skills to support autistic individuals of all ages with complex communication, neuromotor, and sensory challenges. Luncheon included for all participants on Day 2.

VIRTUAL Attendance Option:

Day 1: (April 3rd ONLY) of this conference will be offered for virtual attendance.

This conference in brought to you through a collaborative partnership between University of Southern Indiana Disability Resources (https://www.usi.edu/disability-resources) and Optimal ACCESS (www.optimalaccess.org).

Please email your requests for CEUs/CMTEs to [email protected] with "Continuing Education" in the subject line. Indicate which of the following pre-approved credits you will be seeking: OT, OTA, MT-BC, LSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMHCA, LMFT, LMFTA, LCAC. (Psychologist CEUs are pending.)

All registered participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conclusion of this learning event.

This event aims to challenge traditional perceptions of autism and promote a more inclusive and understanding society. Whether you're a parent, educator, researcher, or individual on the spectrum, this conference is the perfect place to learn, share, and grow.

Register right away as we expect this conference to be SOLD OUT like in 2024! Regular registration will close on March 19th, two weeks before the conference starts.

• Professional Registrations are eligible for pre-approved CEUs or CMTEs (Occuptional Therapy, Music Therapy, Behavioral Health and Human Services, Psychologists - pending). All professional participants will receive an official certificate of attendance.
• Groups of 5 or more professionals may register together for a discount.
• General Registration should be selected if you do not need continuing education credit for your attendance.
• Autistic self-advocates and collegiate students may select their FREE ticket type.
• One FREE conference tshirt will be included with all Full Conference EARLY BIRD registrations. Attendees who reserve t-shirts MUST email desired tshirt size(s) to [email protected] by noon on March 17th to guarantee your shirt size.
• Additional tshirts are available for purchase on the registration form (subject to shipping for Virtual Day 1 registrations).

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be a part of this important conversation. See you there!

Contact our conference committee with questions by calling 812-490-9401 or email [email protected].

*Funded in part by the USI Foundation.

Our Keynote Presenter:

Dr. Antigone Oreopoulos graduated from the University of Alberta Physical Therapy Program in 2002. She received her M.Sc.PT in 2005 and earned her PhD in Public Health (Clinical Epidemiology) in 2010, as well is a current student in the Assistive Technology Certification Program at the University of Chicago Illinois. She became interested in working with nonspeaking neurodivergent children and adults after having a son with nonspeaking autism and learning that his main challenges stemmed from severe motor impairment, not a cognitive delay as he was misdiagnosed with at age 3.

Antigone will be presenting on the underdiagnosed motor impairment in autism, focusing on those without functional and reliable speech, who are challenged with the most severe motor and functional challenges, and why we should not assess this to be representative of their intellectual abilities or learning potential.

Meet Bella Santoyo, a free thinking sassy adventurer from Long Beach, Otto Lana, a baller, scholar, and hometown legend from San Diego, and William Del Rosario, a man of peace and life long learner from the OC (Orange County). Collectively known as the MOD Squad. MOD stands for Manifesting Our Destiny. Three friends who joined forces in 2019 to pave the way for the future of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), creating a new understanding of communication, competency, access, and equity. They take everything you thought you knew about speech related disabilities and blow it up, destroying old ideas to make way for new.

All three of these changemakers have now earned their high school diplomas and have moved on to college, self-advocacy, and/or policy work. They will be describing their educational histories and offering insights into circumstances that opened to opportunties for their success.

Listen and be changed. These three will challenge everything you ever thought you knew about autism.

Matt began using AAC at age five through training at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. At age six he wrote his first poem, “Trapped in Silence”. He has been an active poet and writer. Matt is the subject of the Emmy winning PBS documentary My Voice: One Man's Journey to Overcome the Silence of Autism.

As part of his advocacy work, he has co-founded the non-profit Typing to Speak, spoken at Yale University, presented his poetry professionally, been interviewed on radio and podcasts, presented at many conferences, and is an Autism National Committee board member.

He is currently working on methods to help communicators learn how to use AAC with greater ease. Matt is working on his speaking voice and calls himself an emerging speaker.

Matt will be instrumental in teaching during our Day 2 workshops. He is kind, insightful, and brings out the best in everyone he meets.

THANK YOU to our presenters for your generosity of time and advocacy.

THANK YOU to the USI Foundation and our conference sponsors! Your investment in this conference allows us to secure our presenters and supports caregivers and professionals to equip themselves with skills to compassionately and effectively support the autistic individuals within their care. Together we are creating a more kind and inclusive community and world.

SPONSORSHIPS and EXHIBITOR SPACE AVAILABLE: If you are interested in sponsoring this event or being an exhibitor, please contact us at Optimal ACCESS([email protected] or 812-490-9401)

Host or Publisher Optimal ACCESS (DBA for Optimal Rhythms, Inc.)