Did you know that Early Bird Registration rates are ending on Friday this week on June 30 for the Adult autism conference (aka Inaugural Tri State Adult Autism Symposium)?  Yep, and they won’t be back again until the 2018 conference.  Check it out at www.gcaspies.org/conference.
Are you a school system or organization wanting to send multiple people to the conference and want to know how to get in on Early Bird Registration by June 30, but can’t pay until July 1 starts?  Email Scott Kramer at scott.kramer@chattanoogaautismcenter.org.
Are you a Tennessee or Georgia resident facing an economic/financial hardship and want to get more information about you can get a full registration waiver before June 30?  Email Scott Kramer at scott.kramer@chattanoogaautismcenter.org.

naugural Tri State Adult Autism Symposium Conference Updates - Saturday, July 22, Chattanooga, TN, Red Bank Baptist Church, 4000 Dayton Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN  37404.


1.  The number of exhibitors at the Symposium conference is around 20, which is all that the Family Life Center (gym) could handle.
2.  There will be a silent auction at the conference.  Many, many companies from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and other states have been gracious to donate items for the auction. All funds received from the silent auction go to fund the GCA Centre for Adult Autism and its programs at the Chattanooga Autism Center.
3.  11 speakers (including the lunch keynote), 4 breakout sessions, and lots of opportunities to make new contacts with others attending the conference
4.  All sessions will be taking place in the Norton Building, with exhibitors in the Family Life Center - at Red Bank Baptist Church.
5.  Maps for parking, rooms for sessions, etc. will be up on the GCA Center for Adult Autism website, as time is closer to the Symposium conference.
6.  This is a full-day conference, with the first session starting at 8:45 AM and the last session ending at 3:40 PM.
7.  The most important thing in all this is the social networking opportunities for adults/young adults/transition teens on the autism spectrum and other interested individuals - that do not exist at other autism/disability-related conferences.

Autism Society needs you; the time is NOW!
The recently passed American Health Care Act (AHCA) places valuable resources for people with disabilities in serious jeopardy. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO),  the AHCA:

• Creates overwhelming reductions to Medicaid, slashing funding for programs people rely on to meet basic needs by an estimated $834 billion over the next decade
  
• Yanks 23 million current enrollees from insurance plans by 2026 due to higher premiums and a fundamental restructuring of the Medicaid program to block grants and per capita caps
  
• Shifts primary funding to states and forces officials to make difficult decisions regarding worthiness of care among multiple vulnerable populations
  
• Makes essential health benefits such as rehabilitation services optional
  
• Increases insurance coverage rates for people with pre-existing conditions, including those with disabilities, resulting in loss of care for families who simply can not afford high premiums
  

Medicaid is the primary lifeline that millions of Americans depend on to care for their loved one with a disability. The impact of any reduction in benefits could be truly devastating for many families, possibly even yours. WE can’t let that happen!
What You Can Do:
Don’t forget this week is crucial because Congress is still on recess. Time is of essence to arrange a visit in the district office, organize a town hall meeting, attend an event, or create a listening tour. Senate leadership is convening several work groups to draft improvements to the House-approved version of the AHCA. We must take action now!  Access to health care benefits is an issue that affects us all. Call your senators today and urge them to Save Medicaid!
Here is what you can say:

• Do NOT allow cuts to Medicaid. Caps and block grants would destroy the program in which people with disabilities and seniors rely on for critical health care and community services.  
  
• Do NOT allow states to opt-out of requiring health plans to cover basic health care and keep it affordable for people with pre-existing conditions, including people with disabilities.
  
• OPPOSE any bill that cuts health care, employment or long-term community living services for people with disabilities
  
  
  

The next steps will be critical for disability advocates. Elected officials and policymakers continue to overlook the real world impact of cuts to Medicaid. That’s why we need you to raise your voice and share why families such as yours need to be heard on this crucial issue. Talk about what cuts to Medicaid mean for you and your loved ones. Visit the Congressional Directory to locate your elected officials.
Together we can stand up for families and ensure each and every person can access care.

"Do you live in the USA and have a biological child between 3 and 12 years old? If so, we would be grateful if you would take a short research survey. The purpose is to better understand developmental factors in autism, but all groups are needed. A raffle for a $50 Amazon gift card is included. http://www.devsurvey.org/­ Seth Bittker; devsurvey@yahoo.com. Please share with friends too!"
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