Pulitzer Prize winner journalist, bestselling author Ron Suskind and internationally acclaimed autism researcher Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D., to deliver keynote addresses.
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health, an autism-focused residential behavioral health center, announced today a lineup of world-renowned experts on Autism Spectrum Disorder to headline its 4th annual Converge Autism Summit in Greenville, S.C. The summit will be held at the Greenville Convention Center on April 23-24, 2020.
Keynote speakers for the event include Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and internationally respected autism researcher Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D.
“The Converge Autism Summit continues to be one of the largest gatherings of the autism community – from caregivers and providers to leading experts, researchers and teachers – sharing information about what matters most to them, and we are proud to bring them together again for the fourth consecutive year,” said Springbrook CEO Mike Rowley. “Our past success allows us to attract world-renowned speakers like Ron Suskind and Peter Vermeulen, in addition to our own experts, who give attendees insights they can use to help improve the lives of children with autism. That’s the true mission behind our work at Springbrook, and Converge Autism Summit gives us a platform to share it with the greater autism community.”
The Converge Autism Summit attracts over 500 professionals, teachers, parents and caregivers from across the globe for the opportunity to hear from leading experts on educational, psychological social and therapeutic topics related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The summit provides resources and assistance to caregivers, providers, teachers, and parents of children, teens and adults with autism.
Leaders in Autism Research and Therapies Headline Summit
Suskind is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, bestselling author and the founder of Sidekicks technology used to support those with autism and their families. His latest bestseller — Life, Animated — chronicles his family’s 20-year journey raising and connecting with their autistic son. The Suskinds are also the subject of an award-winning documentary feature of the same name. Their story has driven activism and research about the compensatory strengths of those with autism and others who are “differently-abled” due to distinctive neurology or sociocultural backgrounds. Sidekicks is leading efforts to build a next generation of augmentative technologies to lift and support these communities. Suskind often appears on network television and has been a contributor for The New York Times Magazine and Esquire. He was the Wall Street Journal’s senior national affairs reporter from 1993 until his departure in 2000, and won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.
Dr. Vermeulen has an Msc and PhD in psychology and educational sciences and has worked with people with ASD and their families for more than 30 years. He is the founder of Autism in Context and has written more than 15 books and many articles on autism that have been published in several countries around the world. Dr. Vermeulen is also the Senior lecturer at Autisme Centraal, a training and education center in Belgium for autism spectrum disorders, and is an internationally respected lecturer/trainer, presenting all over Europe and beyond.
Also speaking at the 2020 Converge Autism Summit are professionals of Youth Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, Behavior Analysis, Special Education, Advocacy, and Family Therapy, including:
• Matthew Fisher, MD, Medical Leader of Springbrook’s Psychiatric Residential and Outpatient Treatment Program. Dr. Fisher specializes in treating Autism Spectrum Disorders and is an authority on minimal medical management of ASD and how common psychiatric comorbidities, such as ADHD, Bipolar, Suicidal Ideation and Depression, affect the Autism Spectrum diagnosis.
• William Killion, PhD, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Springbrook. Dr. Killion has more than 40 years of direct experience with individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. He is the author of the Functional Independence Skills Handbook (F.I.S.H.) Developmental Program, a curriculum for ABA used world-wide and translated into multiple languages.
• James Ball, EdD, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral. Dr. Ball is the president and CEO of JB Autism Consulting in Cranbury, N.J. He has been in the field of autism for over 30 years, providing behavioral, educational, residential and employment services to children and adults affected by autism. He provides consultation to organizations, schools and families regarding staff training, home support services, classroom design, functional behavior assessment and behavior management.
• Susan Senator, MA. Senator is an author, blogger, journalist and educator living in Brookline, Mass., with her husband and three sons, the oldest of whom is 30 and has severe autism. She is the author of Making Peace with Autism, The Autism Mom’s Survival Guide and now, Autism Adulthood: Insights and Creative Strategies for a Fulfilling Life. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, NPR and Psychology Today, among others. Senator has appeared as a guest on the Today Show, MSNBC, ABC News, PBS, NPR and CNN.
For the full speaker lineup, to register or for more information about exhibiting at the Converge Autism Summit, visit https://convergeautism.com/. Early Bird rates available through Dec. 31, 2019.
Follow @SpringbrookBHS on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates on autism and the 2019 Converge Autism Summit.
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About Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health
Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health is a state-of-the-art campus and nationally renowned program for the treatment of autism in children and adolescents ages 5-21. We work with the entire spectrum of children, adolescents, teens and adults with autism, including patients at all developmental levels. We begin work with children at younger ages, using advanced, evidence-based autism therapy programs. Our dedicated staff is committed to autism programs and therapies that address the needs of the whole child beyond the diagnosis. We have been serving children with and their families at our campus in Traveler’s Rest, S.C., for over 30 years. Visit springbrookautismbehavioral.com for more information.
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