“If you know one student with autism, you know one student with autism.” Thom Ratkos says that’s a phrase parents of autistic children use because each child is so different.
The third annual Michigan Autism Conference runs through October 7th through the 9th in Kalamazoo. Western Michigan University PhD student Thom Ratkos is a member of the conference’s planning committee. He says it will bring together researchers from around the world.
Ratkos says the conference will appeal to those treating people with autism, teachers and parents. He says the kickoff event on Wednesday night October 7th will help parents with ways to identify effective treatment for their children. Ratkos says about 550 people are expected for this year’s conference.
A new autism center recently opened at Western Michigan University. Ratkos says that will allow for the expansion of services for families of children with autism. He says it will also create greater research possibilities.
Ratkos says there is a huge need to treat autism right now. He says that requires an evidence-based approach. Ratkos says there are about 18,000 students in Michigan with autism, but he says the state doesn’t have the resources to meet that need.
