AAUW Petaluma Branch · Volume 53 No. 8 · April 2008
erspective
P
April General Meeting: A close look at Autism
Petaluma, CA
T
he diagnosis of
autism has been
estimated to occur
in as many as 1 in
150 children and 4 times
as many boys as girls.
Early diagnosis and early
intervention are critical
because the earlier people
with autism get help, the
better their future outcomes. Autism Spectrum Dis-
orders (ASDs) begin before the age of 3 and lasts
throughout a person’s life. The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) has identified autism a national pub-
lic health crisis**
In recognition that April is designated as Autism
Awareness Month, the Petaluma Branch, American
Association of University Women (AAUW), in coop-
eration with the Petaluma Health Care District
(PHCD), welcome you to a seminar focusing on
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
The seminar is scheduled on Wednesday April
9, 2008 from 7:00 –
9:00 pm at the Petaluma
Woman’s Club, 518 B Street. The event is open
to the public, free of charge and reservations
are not needed.
Topics that will be addressed are: current infor-
mation on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), in-
cluding Asperger Syndrome, diagnosing autism,
family and parental support programs, training pro-
grams for educators, support systems for adults
with autism spectrum disorders, supported learning
of autistic children in public schools and educating
high functioning students with autistic spectrum
disorders.
Panel Members:
Dr. Lorna Catford, PhD.
Sonoma State University
Director, Collaborative Autism
Training and Family Support Program
Carin Lawrence
Becoming Independent
Director of Services,
Support Systems for Adults
Dr. Todd Payne, PhD
North Bay Regional Center
Clinical Psychologist.
Diagnosing Autism
Patricia Rast, M.A.
Petaluma City Schools
Director, Special Services
For more information or for questions, Contact:
Janet Rosselle, Co-VP AAUW Program;
795-4595;
Esther Schau, Co-VP Program; 799-6077;
** Data collected from www.easterseals.com;
AAUW State Convention comes to Rohnert Park April 4 to April 6
O
ur Branch is playing a major role in the coordination of the California AAUW State Convention,
which will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park from Friday, April 4 to Sunday,
April 6. Our members are taking on various tasks, ranging from Credentials to Tellers to
Pages to Hostesses to Registration and more. Check on Page 6 to see who will be repre-
senting our branch and also how you can volunteer, too. Having a state convention so close to Peta-
luma is a rare opportunity to participate easily.