Raleigh, NC – The Autism Society of North Carolina will host its 2021 conference virtually on March 19 and 20.

The two-day event, titled Bringing Our Community Closer, will feature respected speakers, including Geraldine Dawson, PhD, William Cleland Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development; Gregory Hanley, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, Founder and CEO of FTF Behavioral Consulting; Lisa Guy, PhD, and Lorie Ritschel, PhD, from the TEACCH Autism Program; Sherry Thomas, MEd, Director of the Exceptional Children’s Division at the Department of Public Instruction; and professionals from the Autism Society of North Carolina.

Speakers will focus on a wide range of topics of interest to the autism community, including the link between autism and ADHD, picky eating and problem behaviors, emerging therapies for adults, and navigating the school system.

“Our 2020 conference was canceled due to the pandemic, and we couldn’t let another year go by without bringing our community together to hear from experts, share experiences, and connect,” said David Laxton, Director of Communications at the Autism Society of North Carolina. “While we look forward to the time when we’re meeting in person again, we hope that a virtual conference will be more accessible to people who may not have been able to join us before. We’ll still be presenting a great program, but this year, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy it from the comfort of your home.”

The conference also includes virtual connection rooms so that parents of the newly diagnosed, self-advocates, Chapter leaders, Spanish speakers, and professionals working with individuals with autism can meet and connect. The Autism Society of North Carolina’s Autism Resource Specialists and Clinical professionals will host Ask an Expert panels. The event also includes a virtual exhibit hall.

The cost of the conference is $30 for an individual and $50 for a household. The household cost allows for multiple people to participate in connection rooms at the same time.

The conference is sponsored by SpecialCare, a special needs program developed by MassMutual.

For more information, or to register for this year’s conference, visit www.autismsociety-nc.org/conference.