GMercyU Hosts 11th Annual Autism Conference

More than 500 people from around the region took part in Gwynedd Mercy University's 11th annual Autism Conference on Saturday, April 7. The all-day conference, hosted by GMercyU's Autism Institute, featured tracks geared towards specific audiences, including educators, health care professionals, and law enforcement.

GMercyU's Autism Conference is just one of the many resources and services the Institute provides that contributes to the development and educational progress of person's on the autism spectrum. The Institute was founded by Deborah Schadler, PhD, assistant professor and coordinator of undergraduate special education at GMercyU.

Dr. Schadler saw the need to provide research-based best practices for students majoring in special education, as well as teachers, administrators, and parents of children on the autism spectrum and any interested community members. All programs emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of children showing symptoms of ASD, as well as the presentation of evidence-based best practices for use across the lifespan of a person on the spectrum.

The signature offering of the Institute is the annual Conference held each April. The Conference is free and provides workshops covering a wide variety of professional topics by leading professionals in the area. GMercyU students studying education as well as freshmen in First Year Experience also get hands-on experience by helping organize and run the Conference.

This year's Conference kicked off the week-long celebration leading up to the Presidential Inauguration of Deanne H. D'Emilio, JD as the sixth president of Gwynedd Mercy University. Learn more about the Presidential Inauguration events!