Augustana University will host the 15th Annual Lighting the Way Autism Conference at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8. Free and open to the public, the Lighting the Way Autism Walk will take place at the Augustana Morrison Commons on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. - noon. The walk will provide attendees the opportunity to sign up for scholarships for therapies, special equipment or camps, and will include an array of fun activities.
This year’s Lighting the Way Autism Conference will focus on transitions across the lifespan. The conference is for parents, caregivers, self advocates, educators, social workers, counselors and therapists, adult service providers, as well as business and community members. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about supporting individuals with autism and their families, as well as best practices in education, health and wellness.
“As a parent of a son with autism, I am always professionally and personally promoting and advocating for increased awareness, education and advocacy for the autism community. Join us this June at both the conference and walk so we can all stand together to create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential,” said Dr. Julie Ashworth, Augustana assistant professor of education.
The 2023 keynote speakers for the Lighting the Way Autism Conference include Dr. Christine Reeve, as well as Dr. Franne Sippel and Becky Kuch.
From running the Autism Classroom Resources blog and podcast to creating teacher resources, Reeve’s driving goal is bringing special educators together and helping them serve their students in the best ways they can. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Doctoral, Reeve earned both a master's and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and completed an internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After working for 13 years in higher education as a consultant and academic coordinator, she is the founder and director of Reeve Autism Consulting and Autism Classroom Resources. Reeve has also co-authored several books and serves as a dissertation advisor at Nova Southeastern University.
Launched in 2021, Dr. Franne Sippel and Becky Kuch are the co-creators of “Shrink Rap the Podcast” in an effort to help normalize mental health, mental illness and therapy. Sippel and Kuch want people to address mental health with the same ease that they do physical health. They are accomplished therapists and well-respected in their field.
For more information on the 2023 Lighting the Way Autism Conference and to register for the event, visit augie.edu/LightingtheWay or contact Lighting the Way Campus Coordinator and Augustana Assistant Professor of Education Becky Hatch Fiala at becky.fiala@augie.edu.