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Groton-Dunstable Special Education

Parent Advisory Council

May 2008

Life On and Slightly to the Right of the Autistic Spectrum:

An Inside View Towards Success

An Evening with Dr. Stephen Shore

Imagine being told that your previously typical toddler has had an “autistic bomb” go off and, now, both you and he are fated to a lifelong struggle with autism. This is happening all too frequently in our society at present and the voices of optimism sometimes seem few and far between. If you could use just such a voice, please let us introduce you to Dr. Stephen Shore.

Diagnosed with "atypical development with strong autistic tendencies," Dr. Stephen Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and was recommended for institutionalization. Fortunately, his parents disagreed. He was nonverbal until age four and with much help from his parents, teachers, and other professionals, Dr. Shore became a success story. He completed his doctoral dissertation in special education at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum.

Join Stephen on his autobiographical journey from the nonverbal days as he relates his life to the many challenges facing people on the autism spectrum. Some of the areas discussed include classroom accommodations, teaching of musical instruments, as well as issues faced by adolescents and adults such as relationships, self-advocacy, higher education, and employment. The presentation will end with a short audience activity demonstrating what it feels like to have autism and to struggle through some of the challenges surrounding communication and socialization.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Dr. Shore presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books: Beyond the Wall : Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

President Emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.

To learn more about Stephen and his incredible journey, please join us at the Black Box Theatre or visit his website at www.autismasperger.net

Date: Thursday, May 8

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Location: Black Box Theatre

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

703 Chicopee Row, Groton, MA

Other Upcoming Lectures and Meetings

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Groton-Dunstable SpedPAC Business Meeting

10:00 - 11:45 AM

Middle School North Library Project Room

Tuesday, May 20, 2008