This program has been postponed.
The rising rate of autism diagnosis - to 1 in 59 children according to the CDC - is well-recognized. The conversation usually centers around identifying causes and proposing solutions. But what are the lived experiences of those with autism? How do those diagnosed with autism relate to the world, to others, and to themselves? How does raising a child with autism inform the spiritual life of a parent? Join us for a rich and vulnerable conversation on the spectrum of experiences surrounding autism.
Event Details:
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Where: The Institute for Spirituality and Health, 8100 Greenbriar #300, Houston, TX 77054
Cost: $20 includes light dinner
Speakers
Grayson Miller, MBA, LPC has high functioning autism (HFA) and is a family therapist with 24 years of experience helping people with learning differences across the autism spectrum.
Tushanna Price is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate, Life Skills Coach, and autism mom of a son who has moderate to severe autism. She is also an Army Veteran who has served 3 tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She has advocated and counseled soldiers who were returning from combat and struggling to reintegrate into life on the home front. Her positions as a family and victim advocate have given her a profound perspective of trauma and vicarious trauma. As an autism mom who is also a combat veteran, Tushanna has a unique perspective of the studies that have likened the levels of chronic stress the stress that is endured by a parent who is raising a child with autism to that of a combat veteran, especially when the child had significant behavioral issues. She has been integrating the practices such as mindfulness and meditation into her work with autism parents as well as children and adults on the autism spectrum. In addition to having two private practice locations in Galveston and Houston, Tushanna is also Therapist at The Houston Galveston Institute, where she works collaboratively with children who are experiencing social, emotional, and psychological challenges through the Community in Schools Program. The relationships she builds with children through her inclusive approach helps to strengthen their voices and sense of self. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with husband Danial and her son Danial Jr. (D.J.) and her daughters Dayton and Miah. Danial Price is a veteran and father of a young son with autism
Jael Aguillard is a thriving high school junior with high functioning autism. He is currently involved in community projects with the City of Houston and Youth For Christ. Jael enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his family. He enjoys taking lead roles to help others at school and work. Jael has future plans to attend a four year university where he will study engineering. Jael's inspiration and motivation comes from his spiritually and connection to helping others.
Paulishia Aguillard, MFT, LPC is a best-selling author, psychotherapist, and CEO of Polly Clinical Services, and mother of Jael.
Marta Brain is an Autism Mom (living with high functioning autism) who is passionate about spreading autism awareness, helping society better understand individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sharing her journey in raising two children on the spectrum, and advocating for families that live with disabilities. She has been married to Thomas Brain, an aerospace engineer, for thirteen and a half years and together they are raising two children with autism…a son who is moderate to severe and a daughter who is high functioning. Marta is on the Advisory Board for Autism Moms are Beautiful (AMAB) Magazine and writes for the magazine about her unique perspective under the column, A Moment With Marta. She serves on the AMAB 2020 Committee as well. Marta is also currently the on the Board as the Vice President for Advocacy Communications for the Children’s Oasis Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to providing education, resources and support to families and children living with autism spectrum disorder. She serves on the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) in Clear Creek ISD. This is her second year to serve.
Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Marta is a Christian, and began her own Video Blog, A Moment with Marta, (her ministry) in January 2019. Her ministry is an effort to help bring better understanding, support and acceptance for autistic individuals in society. She has also had the opportunity to speak at numerous community events. In her spare time, she enjoys her time with her family, rooting for the Houston Astros and video gaming with her husband.
Julia McCarter, BCBA, LBA has been working with children with developmental disabilities since 2008. Julia received a bachelors in psychology from Trinity University and a masters in applied behavior analysis from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She practiced for several years as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBa) and then became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in 2014. Julia has worked in a variety of non-profit and clinical settings in Fort Bend County and Harris county and is currently a BCBA at Behavior TLC, an ABA clinic in Clear Lake.
Breaking Whole: Exploring Spirituality Through Conditions of the Body
The state of one’s physical body is inherently intertwined with a person’s spiritual identity, and physical conditions can challenge, strengthen, and transform that identity. Breaking Whole seminars bring together patients, caregivers, and clergy to discuss the spiritual dimensions of various health conditions.