2024 TASH Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the official website for the 2024 TASH Conference!

Each year, the TASH Conference brings together our constituents to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The Conference is attended by passionate leaders, experts, and advocates from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees are influential in their fields and communities, and play an important role in the provision of services and supports for individuals and organizations around the world; and include professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; self-advocates, adult service providers; students, family members, and many others. This year’s conference theme is Celebrate Together: Let the Good Times Roll!

Click on the "Registration and More" tab for additional information about our Conference location, registration, reserving a guest room, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more! The full Conference schedule is now available for viewing. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to log in and create a personalized schedule.

4:35pm CST

Neurodiversity Advisory: Advancing Affirming Practice within TASH

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST

Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B

Sparked at the 2022 TASH Conference, the Neurodiversity Advisory has been actively meeting and exploring neurodiversity and what it means for TASH. In this session, we will share resources like updated Terms and Definitions and Elements of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice. We will provide an update on what we're learning related to neurodiversity and ABA. Using the resources developed and insights gained through the work of the Advisory, participants will explore proposed recommendations for TASH to embrace neurodiversity and advance neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Moderators

Michael McSheehan

Owner/TA Provider, Evolve & Effect, LLC

Michael McSheehan’s life work has been at the intersection of disability and K-12 education. During his twenty years at the University of New Hampshire, he worked on projects for assistive technology, inclusive education, alternate assessment, RTI & PBIS, and MTSS. Michael helped... Read More →

Presenters

Deborah Taub

Owner/CEO, OTL Education Solutions, LLC

Mary Fisher

Leah Kelley

I am Leah Kelley, EdD, (she/her) an education consultant, writer, activist, parent, and teacher educator, who identifies as Neurodivergent and otherwise disabled. My research interests include connecting disability studies in education (DSE) to educational practice, strength-based... Read More →

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Professor, Teaching Credentials-Special Education, California State University, Sacramento

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Human Rights
Themes of Interest Discrimination & Ableism
Key Words Ableism, Neurodiversity, Affirming, Rights
Presentation Type General

5:45pm CST

Good Intentions Aren't Enough: Dismantling Ableism Within the Walls of Our Classrooms

Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST

Storyville Hall

Many autistic adults express dissatisfaction with their K-12 school experiences and face social rejection more often than their non-autistic peers. However, autistic youthâ€™s voices are rarely included in educational research or policy-making. In this study, we examined autistic peopleâ€™s perceptions of ableism in American K-12 school systems through interviews with 19 autistic adolescents and adults in a qualitative, community-participatory study. We found seven major themes in these interviews: Erasure Conformity Isolation Oppression Hidden curriculum Misaligned school priorities Authority Our research highlights the systemic barriers autistic people face in educational settings that either go unnoticed or are intentionally ignored. We examine the impact of said barriers on outcomes and experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Specifically, we examine these themesâ€™ negative impacts on identity formation, self-advocacy, and self-acceptance for autistic student

Presenters

Ben VanHook

Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Poster Presentations

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Autism, CBPR, Research, Disability, Neurodiversity, Neuroinclusion Systemic Changes, Ableism, Education, Teachers, Students, School

10:00am CST

Including Neurodiverse Learners: A DisCrit Examination

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

Imperial 5C

This study aimed to understand the experiences of teachers with neurodiverse learners in their classrooms. Using a critical qualitative methodology and a DisCrit theoretical framework, practicing educators were interviewed to consider how they define neurodiversity, how they support neurodiverse students in the classroom, and challenges they experience including neurodiverse learners. Across the study, educators were asked about their perceptions and experiences with neurodiverse learners. Three significant themes were constructed using a DisCrit framework for analysis: 1) discussion of teachersâ€™ general understanding of neurodiversity; 2) the learning strategies developed and implemented by teachers to include neurodiverse learners; and, 3) the challenges teachers articulated around inclusion for neurodiverse students. Within their descriptions and discussions, it was clear that educators still have implicit bias that impacts how they view neurodiverse students and their potential.

Presenters

Chelsea Tracy-Bronson

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Neurodiversity, Inclusive Education, Inclusive Educators, Special Education
Presentation Type Research

3:00pm CST

Neurodiversity Advisory: Grappling with Implications for Practice

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Imperial 5C

The TASH Neurodiversity Advisory has created a resource articulating the Elements of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice. In this session, participants will use the Elements resource to reflect on current issues in education, employment, communication access, human rights, and community living. We will explore what our practice looks like and doesn't look like when we embrace neurodiversity and advance neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Moderators

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Human Rights
Themes of Interest Discrimination & Ableism
Key Words Ableism, Neurodiversity, Affirming, Rights
Presentation Type General

2024 TASH Conference

4:35pm CST

Michael McSheehan

Deborah Taub

Mary Fisher

Leah Kelley

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

5:45pm CST

Ben VanHook

10:00am CST

Chelsea Tracy-Bronson

3:00pm CST

Michael McSheehan

Deborah Taub

Mary Fisher

Leah Kelley

Amy Hanreddy

Robyn Reagan

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin