Support Towards the Asperger’s Association of New England’s Adult Conference: Know Thyself: The Key to a Better Life 2008

The Foundation provided support for the Asperger’s Association of New England’s Adult Conference: Know Yourself: The Key to a Better Life 2008. This full-day conference was exclusively for adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and was held on July 26th at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts . The conference had many purposes including: Building community among a marginalized population of adults with Asperger Syndrome; Decreasing isolation and loneliness; Increasing connection and sense of belonging; Teaching concrete skills and strategies to improve quality of life at home, in relationships, and in the workplace; and instilling a sense of pride among AS adults by increasing awareness of the breadth of talent and level of accomplishment within their community which is filled with scientists, writers, artists, musicians, engineers and activists. The keynote speaker was Valerie Paradiz, Ph.D., well-known author of Elijah’s Cup and parent of a teen with AS who has since been diagnosed with AS herself. She is an inspiration to those who see Asperger Syndrome as a neurobiological difference instead of a disorder.