Delores Sparks has seen many families struggle with decisions about guardianship, and how much help a loved one will need in making the routine decisions about finance and life others take for granted.
Information and education are the only way to help, Sparks believes, which is why she will speak at a free conference May 4 in Poplar Bluff.
"It's such a complex issue and no situation is the same. Every family is different," said Sparks.
The ninth annual Autism Conference will include five speakers, discussing everything from guardianship to promoting independence and vocational rehabilitation.
The conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Anyone interested in attending is asked to register by May 1, said Rebeca Pacheco, executive director of the Butler County Community Resource Council, which organizes the event. The full day event also includes lunch at no cost.
It is open to members of the public, families and professionals, Pacheco said.
"We try to have a good mix of topics," said Pacheco. "We feel like it's important to increase the community's knowledge about Autism spectrum disorders. In every community, there are children and adults effected by autism."
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diagnosis can be difficult, but doctors agree early intervention can improve children's development.
About 1 in 68 children have been identified with ASD, impacting boys about 4.5 times more often than girls.
Promoting independence for individuals with autism will be the first topic, presented at 10 a.m. by Dr. Jena Randolph. Randolph is with the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
A session by Sparks will follow at 11:15 a.m. Sparks is with the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.
About 30,000 people in Missouri are under guardianship, Sparks said. Limited guardianship is very under utilized, she believes, used for with only about 3,000 of those people.
"It's primarily because people don't know they can have that option," Sparks said. "A lot of people with disabilities tell us, 'I can do some of these things,' 'I'd like to be able to make some of my decisions.'"
The developmental disabilities council has spent the past 10 years trying to provide more education and help families through these difficult decisions, Sparks said. They also provide assessment tools that can help families better understand their options and what may be needed.
A reading and discussion of the book "I See Things Differently," will be held at 12:30 p.m., after lunch.
Vocational rehabilitation counselor Robin Thomas will speak at 1:30 p.m. for Transitional Atlas For Youth.
The last session will be given by Wray Ann Williams of Poplar Bluff School District, discussing inexpensive and effective tools to work with special needs individuals.
Registration forms can be found online at www.thecrc.org, on Facebook and by calling (573) 776-7830 or emailing judy.cox@thecrc.org.
The event can accommodate up to 100 people. If spaces are available after May 1, some late registrations may be taken, according to Pacheco.