Asperger/Autism Network
presents

The Jody Acford Spirit Conference 2015

Managing an Anxious Mind

Co-sponsored by the
Northeastern University Disability Resource Center

June 13, 2015
Northeastern University
Egan Research Center
360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA

Note: This conference is ONLY for adults (post-high school and older)
with AS and related profiles.

About the Adult Conference

The Jody Acford Spirit Conference 2015 -- Managing an Anxious Mind -- is AANE's ninth annual conference designed for adults (post-high school and older) with AS and related autism spectrum profiles. This year our conference is being co-sponsored by the Northeastern University Disability Resource Center. The conference combines a diverse program of workshops with networking and social connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please join us in thanking the Burgay Family
who are generously underwriting this conference.

Conference Schedule
9:30 - 10:00 am:  Conference Check-in & Continental Breakfast
10:00 - 10:15 am:  Welcome/Collaborative Experience*
10:15 - 11:30 am: Workshop Session One
11:30 - 11:45 am:  Break
11:45 - 12:30 pm:  Workshop Session Two
12:35 - 1:45 pm:  Lunch (on your own -- many local options available)
1:45 - 3:00 pm:  Workshop Session Three
3:00 - 3:30 pm:  Ice Cream Social (included in registration fee)/Collaborative Experience*

General Information
Conference Fee, per Person: $50, includes continental breakfast and ice cream social.
Financial Aid: Please contact Karen Doran, Registrar, at (617) 393-3824, ext. 10
Refunds: No refunds are available after noon on June 12, 2015, or for no-shows. There is no discount if you can't attend the entire day.
No photographs or videos: Please respect the privacy of all our attendees -- refrain from taking photos or videos during the day.
Chemical Sensitivities: Due to chemical sensitivities among those in our community, please refrain from wearing perfume or scented products.
Dogs: Only leashed service dogs allowed.
Directions, Parking & Public Transportation: For driving directions go click here. Visitors can park in the Renaissance Parking Garage at 835 Columbus Ave.; parking for the day will cost $26. There is very limited on street parking available so we strongly suggest coming to the conference on the MBTA. Northeastern is accessible by T via the Green “E” Line and the Orange Line. More economical parking is available on many train and subway lines. Check here for locations and rates. Visit the MBTA for information on subway, bus, and commuter rail schedules. A map of the campus is available here. (The Egan Building is #60 on the map).  

*Collaborative Experience: An All-Day Activity
What does your anxiety look like? What about calm?
What helps you manage or reduce your anxiety? Write or draw about your own experiences (anonymously, if you'd like) and contribute to our showcase.

Workshop Session One
(Click here for workshop descriptions)

Workshop A     CBT and Mindfulness: Tools for Managing Anxiety
Presenters: Rebecca Girard and Tonya White

Workshop B    Adult Panel: Coping with Stress
Presenters:  Nomi Kaim, Jason Mitchell, and Andrew Novis & Anastasia O'Melveny

Workshop C    Taming Social Anxiety
Presenter: Carol Feldman Bass

Workshop D    Managing Anxiety
Presenters: Peter & Karen Luttik

Workshop Session Two
(Click here for workshop descriptions)

Workshop E     Zentangles: Meditative Doodling
Presenter: G. Edward Hudson

Workshop F    Write Your Way Through It
Presenters:  Karen Anderson & Tonya White

Workshop G    Mindfulness Meditation
Presenter: Remy Springer

Workshop H    Yoga: Anywhere, Anybody, Anytime
Presenter: Karen Lean

Workshop Session Three
(Click here for workshop descriptions)

Workshop I     Learning About Your Stress and Sleep from a Wearable
Presenter: Rosalind Picard

Workshop J    Anxiety: Which Medications Help and How Do We Use Them?
Presenter:  Dr. Jonathan Bass

Workshop K    Sensory Sensitivities: Stories, Support, and Strategies
Facilitators: Jamie Freed & Nomi Kaim

Register Now!