Learn more at www.maineautismconference.org

Save the Date

Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel
South Portland, Maine

Pine Tree Society and Spurwink Services are pleased to present the first annual Southern Maine Autism Conference for families and educators.

This one-day conference will provide practical information and valuable support for families, parents and other caregivers of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Participants will have an opportunity to share stories, network, exchange information and gain meaningful insight.

The event welcomes Jason McElwain and his parents to Maine for an inspirational kick-off to the day.

Jason, or J-Mac, is a young man with Autism who was thrown into the spotlight while managing his high school basketball team in 1996.  In the final home game of the season for Greece Athena High School in New York, Jason was put in for his first and only appearance on the varsity team.  The 5-foot, 6-inch team manager hit six 3-point shots and a 2-pointer, scoring a total of 20 points in four minutes!  He was carried off the court on his teammates’ shoulders.  A video of Jason’s performance circulated on YouTube and in no time everyone was talking about his triumph.  Jason also co-wrote his memoir, “The Game of My Life.”

Following the McElwains’ morning presentation, participants will have the opportunity to attend three breakout sessions.  In addition, the exhibit hall will be filled with representatives from a wide variety of businesses and organizations.

Admission is free and online registration will open in January 2009.  For more information, visit:  www.maineautismconference.org.

The conference is made possible through the generous support of Time Warner Cable and Bath Savings Bank.

Pine Tree Society provides Maine children and adults with disabilities the opportunities and the means to create better lives for themselves and their families.  Founded in 1936, Pine Tree Society provides programs statewide to people with physical and developmental disabilities. Each year the Society's innovative programs meet the many and varied needs of Maine people. 

For more information about Pine Tree Society and its programs and services, please call (207) 443-3341.

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