AHEADD.org director and Pittsburgh resident Carolyn Komich Hare founded national Adult Autism Awareness Day and will hold a series of panel discussions at the University of Pittsburgh to commemorate the first annual celebration on April 18, 2009. According to AHEADD.org, Mrs. Hare states that the goal of National Adult Autism Awareness Day is to "create awareness of our Adult Autism Community, demonstrate the importance of transition planning, promote inclusiveness through education, and improve social and employment outcomes for adults with autism."

AHEADD.org provides support for college students with Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, High-Functioning Autism, and Non-Verbal Learning disorders, and is the official national sponsor of Adult Autism Awareness Day. The program currently exists in Washington D.C., Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

The Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders (ABOARD), is co-presenting the conference which includes sponsorship by Autism Speaks, the Bureau of Autism Services, Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, the Pennsylvania State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and UPMC. Speakers include Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), founder of the Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE), as well as university officials, licensed specialists, and young adults with autism. The conference brochure can be found on AHEADD.org's website. Conference topics include post-secondary education and employment, as well as research and legislation. There will also be a special proclamation by the City of Pittsburgh!

Adult Autism Awareness Day National Conference

Saturday, April 18, 2009
University of Pittsburgh
Lower Lounge, William Pitt Union
9am - 1pm

Please visit http://www.aheadd.org/adult-autism-day.html for more information.

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