18th Annual U.S. Conference on disABILITY Focuses on Autism
In collaboration with the AllOne Foundation and Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence (ACCE), the Panuska College of Professional Studies and the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment presented “Exploring Autism Across the Spectrum: Building Inclusive Communities” at The University of Scranton’s 18th Annual U.S. Conference on disAbility on Oct. 10 on campus.
The speakers at the conference included: Patrick R. Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D, vice president of behavioral services at The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health; autism advocates Deya Velasco and her son Jose Velasco Jr.; Kerry Magro, Ph.D., an award-winning professional speaker and best-selling author; and Jeremy Sicile-Kira, an acclaimed intuitive artist. Afternoon ACCE panel sessions focused on early childhood and teen/adult programs. Panelists included Keisha Moeller, Friendship House, Nina Zanon, Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, Donna Sedor, ARC of Luzerne, Christian Budney, MyCIL/Transitional Skills Center, and Kristin Hoffman, Misericordia University. This year’s conference also included a Meet-and-Greet reception with U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr.
The conference also highlighted the continued work being accomplished through ACCE, which are part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar regional initiative led by the AllOne Foundation to enhance the service delivery system for individuals with autism and their families living in 13 counties in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.
University professors Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D., and Lori Bruch, Ed.D., served as conference co-chairs, and Edward R. and Patricia Leahy served as honorary conference co-chairs.
Barbara Bossi (left), Senior Director, National Network Development, UPMC Health Plan, and PCPS Board of Visitors Member, pictured with Dr. Kerry Magro, afternoon keynote speaker. An acclaimed author and speaker, Kerry spoke about his journey during his presentation, “Defining Autism: From Nonverbal to Professional Speaker”.
Dr. Patrick Progar (far right), Vice President of Behavioral Services at The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health, delivered the opening keynote of the conference. Pictured (from left): Mr. Peter Egen, Partner at Nixon Peabody LLP, Dr. Jeff Gingerich, Provost/Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Debra Pellegrino, Academic Dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies.
Noted sponsors and attendees for the conference included (from left) Ms. Lisa Urbanski, President and Founder of Brighter Journeys, Mr. Nick Oulette, President/CEO of The Graham Academy, and Mr. John Graham, AllOne Foundation Board Member.
Intuitive artist Jeremy Sicile-Kara was featured in the evening keynote. Jeremy has synesthesia and perceives letters, numbers, and emotions as colors. During the presentation, Jeremy painted a portrait that captured his impressions of the conference.
Exploring Autism Across the Spectrum: Building Inclusive Communities” was the focus of The University of Scranton’s 18th Annual U.S. Conference on disAbility, which took place on campus recently. At the conference, from left: John Graham, AllOne Foundation board member; Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., associate dean of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr.; John Cosgrove, executive director, AllOne Foundation and Charities; and conference co-chairs Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D., director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University, and Lori Bruch, Ed.D., chair of the Counseling and Human Services Department at Scranton.