2025 Philadelphia Autism Project Conference

Vision

Provide a forum to discuss best practices, tools and resources to support individuals on the spectrum, families, and communities. Strengthen support networks through information sharing and engagement with the wider Philadelphia community.

Audience

Autistic individuals, family members and caregivers, professionals, providers (such as social workers), educators, community members, employers, and anyone who wants to learn more about supporting autistic individuals and the larger community.

Educational Objectives

• List concepts, tools, and resources in supporting autistic individuals and/or their networks to plan for the future.
• Summarize the latest research and/or best practices in supporting individuals across the life span.
• Recommend additional content areas to explore for session speakers and conference planners.

LINK FOR ON-SITE CAPTIONING:

ROOM 1154A: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=PAPC 

ROOM 1154B: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=DHCC

ROOM 1154C: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=DHCC2

What to expect:

• The entrance is located on 8^th Street, not Market Street.

• When you enter the building, please check in with the front desk in the lobby and let them know you’re there for the conference on the 11^th Floor. They will ask to see your ID – please bring an ID with you. They may provide you with a name tag that you will need to keep throughout the day to get in and out of the building. The first 3 elevators on either side will take you to the 11^th Floor. A staff member will be available to assist you.

• Temperature: Rooms can fluctuate in temperature, please wear layers, or bring a sweater for your comfort!

• There is fluorescent lighting used throughout the rooms. We’ve included photos from our past conferences so that you can see what it looks like. Please bring sunglasses or anything else that might help you with the lighting.

• Noise level: The noise level may be higher or lower depending on the day’s activities and the flow of people in various areas. Please bring noise-cancelling headphones or anything else that might be helpful. There is also a Quiet Room on the same floor and a quiet area near the windows.

• Captioning is accessible via webpage links. To access captioning services, please scan the QR code on your phone. QR Codes for each room will be made available as we get closer to the conference day.

• If requested, interpreters will be in the back of the room. Please move toward the front if this will be a distraction to you.

We will have a variety of resource tables available. We thank these organizations for their time. Please see below for the list of resource tables and PowerPoint presentations.

Resource Tables

• A.J. Drexel Autism Institute (AJDAI) Outreach Core
• A.J. Drexel Autism Institute (AJDAI) Transition Pathways
• Art Reach
• Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT) Collaborative Eastern Region
• Autism Toolbox Training (AUTT)
• CHOP Center for Autism Research (CAR)
• Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) Community Wellness Engagement Unit
• Elwyn Early Learning Services
• Liberty Resources
• Neurodiversity Employment Network
• Office of Commissioner Seth Bluestein – Voting Booth and Resources
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
• Philadelphia Autism Project
• Philadelphia Family Voices (PFV)
• Philadelphia Fire Department
• The School District of Philadelphia

Powerpoint Presentations

This Google Drive Link will be updated with ppt presentations in PDF format.

Please note that you do not need to attend every session to earn continuing education credits – you will receive credit for each session you participate in. If you indicated interest in continuing education credits during registration, we will email you a validation form to complete after the conference. If you did not indicate interest during registration but would like to receive credits, email us after the conference and we will provide the form for you.

Continuing education credits are being co-sponsored by Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education.

LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT (PA SBSWE Licensed Social Workers in Pennsylvania)

Drexel University College of Medicine is a preapproved provider of continuing education for Social Workers and Clinical Social Workers. This program is being offered for up to 5 hours of continuing education.

PA Educators Act 48

Drexel University College of Medicine, Behavioral Healthcare Education is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer continuing education credits under Act 48 guidelines. Drexel University College of Medicine, Behavioral Healthcare Education adheres to Act 48 Continuing Education Guidelines. PA educators will receive a maximum of 5 hours of credit for attending this program.

(Note for Act 48 credit applicants: On the validation form please note that the Professional ID# is required.)

The conference will take place at Community Behavioral Health, 801 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Please note that the entrance is on 8^th Street and that there may be construction taking place in front of the building. This may cause a lane to be closed and more traffic on 8^th Street.

Limited parking vouchers are available only for the parking garage below. Please indicate if you need parking when you register! The max height for the garage is 6 feet, 2 inches.

AutoPark @ Fashion District

45 N. 10th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone: (215) 683-9409

Please pull a ticket upon entering the garage and park your vehicle. We will issue you a chaser ticket at the conference registration desk. Once you return to your vehicle, you will drive to the exit and scan the original ticket barcode under the red light. Wait for the amount to come up and then scan the chaser to receive your discount. This will satisfy the parking transaction and lift the gate for you to exit the parking garage.

We are grateful to our Conference Planning Committee and Partners for their time, energy, and invaluable contributions.

• Office of Councilmember Mike Driscoll
• Department of Behavioral and Intellectual disAbility Services (DHBIDS) and Community Behavioral Health (CBH)
• School District of Philadelphia
• Margie Caputo
• Conner Carlton
• Dylan Cooper
• Tom Forkin
• Rachel Guttentag
• Mary Beth Morgan
• Valarie Oulds
• Christopher Owens
• Laurie Sanders
• Cecelia Thompson
• Harley Pisano
• Rebecca Trotta
• Eric Williams