Annual Conference & Events

The 9^th Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Bridging Research and Lived Experience will be held on Wednesday, October 9th (on-site). Sessions include topics focused on navigating adulthood, partnered approaches to autism research, social media, assistive technology, and autism in schools.

The 8^th Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Embracing Intersecting Identities through Allyship and Advocacy will be on Wednesday, October 11th (in-person) and Friday, October 13th, 2023 (virtual). Sessions include topics focused on cultural competency, the diagnosis journey, LGBTQ+ community, college programs and resources, disclosure, AAC, criminal justice, trauma and more!

The 7^th Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Exceeding the Vision will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 12th -Friday, October 14th, 2022. Sessions include topics focused on transitions, navigating adulthood, the justice system, and the first of many listening sessions!

The 6^th Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Rethinking, Reimagining, Resilience was held virtually on Wednesday, November 17th -Friday, November 19th, 2021. Sessions included topics spanning the justice system, caregiver experiences, ASD and mental health, autism services, and systems updates.

The 2020 Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: A Spectrum of Community Voices was held VIRTUALLY from November 9th – November 14th, 2020. Topics include peer support, employment, relationships, treatment, and transition-related information!

The 2019 Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference Journey through the Lifespan: Mapping Your Path was held on October 18, 2019 at Community Behavioral Health (CBH) in Philadelphia, PA. Topics included lifecourse planning, the epidemiology of autism, navigating romantic relationships, communication awareness, benefits planning and more.

The 2018 Annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference: Lighting the Way through Transitions was held on November 30th, 2018 at Community Behavioral Health (CBH) in Philadelphia, PA. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with one another and leaders in the following areas: early childhood intervention and treatment, justice, housing, employment and transition-related planning.

The 2017 conference was held on May 12th at Community Behavioral Health in Philadelphia, PA. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about innovations in employment, transportation supports, self-advocacy, building relationships, establishing community connections, building communication, ABA, the Adult Autism Waiver and changes to the Medicaid waiver programs in PA.

The first annual Philadelphia Autism Project Conference was held on October 16th, 2015 at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Branch. Highlights from the conference included presentations from lead researchers about effectively finding resources to inform treatment planning and decision making. Attendees also learned skills for communicating with decision makers.

Please join us to celebrate the 2^nd collaborative art show Through Our Eyes: A Philadelphia Autism Project Art Show at Philadelphia International Airport. Children and youth from the autism community in Philadelphia and surrounding counties will be sharing their artwork in this April – October 2022 exhibit.

In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Philadelphia Autism Project launched the first collaborative art show Philadelphia: A Spectrum of Experiences. The event recognized the talent of individuals with autism and increased awareness of autism within the Philadelphia community. Our partners included the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services (DBHIDS) through Community Behavioral Health (CBH), the Office of Philadelphia City Councilman-At-Large Derek Green, and the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy.

• Read More About the Art Show WHYY: https://whyy.org/articles/drawing-from-another-perspective-city-hall-exhibit-features-work-by-artists-with-autism/

On April 11th, 2018, the Philadelphia Autism Project collaborated with Self Advocates United as 1 (SAU1) to offer the Let’s Get to Work! workshop for self-advocates and their allies. Topics focused on getting ready to work, looking for and finding a job, applying and interviewing, benefits and who can help.

Held on June 14th, 2018, the System Navigation Summit was an opportunity to gather information and promote discussion to learn about existing system navigation and family support models, connect with leaders, share their experience navigating the service system, and learn about and plan for a new family organization in Philadelphia. We are thankful for the support from the Children with Special Health Care Needs Mini Grant, and in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities Services (DHBIDS) through the System of Care Grant.

The landmark Pennsylvania Supreme Court case of Burke v. Independence Blue Cross solidified insurance coverage for autism services for students in Pennsylvania schools. This panel brought together the key players to explain its importance for students with autism and their families.

On October 15th, 2019 Commissioner Schmidt and the Philadelphia Autism Project partnered together to present a session as part of the B.PHL Innovation Festival. The session addressed barriers, citizens’ rights to accessibility accommodations, and also highlighted resources around this topic.

In honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Philadelphia Autism Project is partnering with the Arc of Philadelphia and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) and Community Behavioral Health (CBH) to host this one-day event on January 16, 2020.

The Philadelphia Autism Project, in collaboration with Lamar Hardwick D.Min, facilitated a webinar series on this highly requested topic. Dr. Hardwick discussed common barriers people on the spectrum face in navigating relationships, provided helpful strategies, and answered audience questions. Recordings of the webinar series are now available.

The Philadelphia Autism Project is excited to facilitate a show as a part of the Youth Art Gallery at the Philadelphia International Airport. We welcome artists 18 and under from the autism community in Philadelphia and surrounding counties to submit for inclusion in the exhibit. This event recognizes the talent of children and teens on the spectrum, while increasing autism awareness in the Greater Philadelphia community.