Spurwink and Pine Tree Society To Present 2nd Annual
Southern Maine Autism Conference

Saturday, March 13, 2010
University of New England
Biddeford, Maine

Pine Tree Society and Spurwink Services are pleased to present the second annual Southern Maine Autism Conference for families and educators.

This one-day conference will provide practical information and valuable support for families, parents and other caregivers of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Participants will have an opportunity to share stories, network, exchange information and gain meaningful insight.

The keynote speakers will be Judy and Sean Barron, co-authors of There’s a Boy in Here: Emerging from the Bonds of Autism.  They will share the stage and their story, chronicling Sean's young life and the effects of autism on him and his family.

Diagnosed with autism in 1965, Sean was increasingly confrontational and uncontrollable and had no method of communication. Despite recommendations that Sean be institutionalized, his parents insisted that he attend public school and fought to reach their son and help him live a normal life. They also faced the challenge of a lack of knowledge about autism and significant inadequacies within the medical field at that time.

At the age of seventeen, Sean experienced a breakthrough that he contends began his release from autism. He began to change his behavior and considers himself "healed" from autism as it no longer adversely impacts his daily living. Today, Sean is a graduate of Youngstown State University, a journalist and public speaker. He has also co-authored a book with Temple Grandin, titled The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships.

Sharing the unique perspective of both mother and son, Judy and Sean will provide a rare insight into the mind of a child with autism.

Contact:

Spurwink Services
899 Riverside Street
Portland, Maine 04103
207-871-1200
1-888-889-3903
info@spurwink.org