On Feb. 12, the Autism Society Chapter-Kern Autism Network will hold its 15th Annual Autism Awareness Conference at the Marriott Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave., in Bakersfield. Featured speakers are Dr. Stephen Shore and Dr. Blythe Corbett.

Diagnosed with “atypical development with strong autistic tendencies,” Shore was viewed as “too sick” to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Though he was nonverbal until the age of four, with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Shore completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University, which was focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum.

Recently, Shore has accepted a professorship at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Shore presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.

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