Keynote Speakers:

Marty M. Murphy, Independent Educational Consultant

"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.”
……….. Joe Ancis quotes

Finding Normal

Marty Murphy is an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She delivers a humorous and energetic message while providing the audience a unique, personal look into the world of autism. Marty graduated from the University of Arizona S.A.L.T. program and the Ballymaloe Culinary School in Ireland but also spent many years of her life feeling depressed and isolated. With amazing insight she shares the emotional impact of living with autism and how she has found her “Normal”. Bio

Credentials:
Featured in the Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine Keynotes; Autism Society of Illinois, Autism Society of the Greater Baltimore Area, Council for Exception Children Disability Division – Kona
Starring in the feature film Normal Folk

Allen T. Lewis, M.D., Medical Director, Pfeiffer Treatment Center, Warrenville, Ill.

A Biomedical and Biochemical Model of Autism

Understanding autism as a chemical imbalance leads to promising treatments for childhood behavior disorders. Dr. Lewis, Medical Director of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, will present the model and describe the nutrient based treatments that has helped many of his patients, including his own son.   

Dr. Lewis has ten years of general pediatrics practice in Utah and Montana. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Washington and completed his Pediatric Residency at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City. He served on the Department of Pediatrics Residency Education Committee at the University of Utah and has been a clinical preceptor for both Pediatric and Family Practice resident physicians since starting clinical practice.

Bob Sanders, Special Education Teacher, Chileda Institute, La Crosse, Wis.

Breta Lee, Music Teacher and Teacher Coordinator, Chileda Institute,
La Crosse, Wis.

Closing Luncheon and Presentation:

Music in Motion: Using Multiple Modalities to Reach and Teach

This presentation will demonstrate how to use instructional strategies based on multiple modalities as it applies to students on the autism spectrum. You will learn a variety of FUN activities based on a students existing knowledge, skills, and dispositions that can lead to academic success in a variety of areas.

Bob Sanders is a special education teacher for students with autism at the Chileda Institute in La Crosse, Wis. He has been a presenter for the Autism Spectrum Disorder certificate program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, and helped develop athletic programs for students with disabilities when he was the Outreach Director at the YMCA. Bob is also the Director of Activities and Wellness for the school district and village of Cashton, WI where he enjoys working with youth from 4 year olds to varsity athletes. He has a Masters of Arts degree in Education from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science degree in Special Education with an emphasis on behavioral disorders.

Breta Lee is a Music Teacher at Chileda and Teacher Coordinator. She has taught abroad with her husband in the Middle East and in the Philippines prior to returning to the States to settle on the "Century Old" Lee family farm. Breta has a BS in Elementary/Middle Level Education, a minor in Adaptive Education, a strong background in music and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She teaches autistic students using both National Standards and music therapy when developing goals and objectives. By using music as a fun, high interest venue for teaching social skills, language, rhythm and movement, specific music skills and appreciation, she has enjoyed watching students grow and find successes in a variety of ways. She is currently providing Interactive Metronome Therapy for students at Chileda. This therapy is a brain based rehabilitation assessment and training program developed to directly improve the processing abilities that affect attention, motor planning, and sequencing. Breta, her husband and two daughters are learning about farm life and are raising 2 pigs, 15 chickens, 1 rooster, 5 cats, hops, pumpkins, and hay. When not weeding the garden, she loves to watch her daughters play softball. Breta loves to play the piano, travel, read, and grow perennials and herbs. Her dream is to author a children's book focusing on autism.