A Full Life with Autism: First, Presume Competence The Early Years of a Mother-Son Journey. When Jeremy was diagnosed with severe autism twenty years ago, Chantal was told to find a good institution for him, and she has—it’s called "college." In this inspirational keynote, Chantal shares their story to illustrate the importance of presuming competence and persevering in the face of adversity. With an army of experts whose chief strategist and leader of the troops is his mother, Jeremy has persevered in three different countries to overcome many challenges. Jeremy graduated high school at age 22 with a GPA of 3.78, and is now a published author, college student, and autism advocate. Their inspiring message encourages us to never give up on the dreams that we have.

A Full Life with Autism: The Pursuit of Happiness A Mother-Son Journey about Transitioning to Adulthood. Creating a life worth living is what we all strive for, but can be near impossible when you face severe challenges. In this inspirational keynote based on the book, A Full Life with Autism, Chantal describes how Jeremy is creating a self-determined life based on his dreams and goals with the support of his family. Despite being diagnosed as mentally retarded and severely autistic, Jeremy graduated high school at age 22 with a GPA of 3.78, and is now a published author, college student, and autism advocate. Their story will inspire listeners to believe in possibilities when planning for the future—no matter their background.

Why Me? Things I Wish I’d Known Sooner In this dynamic and humorous keynote, Chantal shares lessons learned on resilience and reinvention during times of change. Based on the journey she has traveled in three different countries since her son, Jeremy, was born 22 years ago and diagnosed with mental retardation and severe autism, Chantal shares lessons learned about adapting to change. This positive and empowering presentation will encourage the audience to embrace change as an opportunity for new growth.

Finding Our Way Together: Creating Positive Outcomes An old Swahili proverb, "A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is rowing their own way" aptly describes the philosophy of collaboration and common vision that infuses this keynote presentation. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, Chantal shares insights and hard-won wisdom on how different professionals and parents with differing viewpoints can come together as a team to move towards a common goal. Her inspiring message reminds us that although we may each be unique, together we can create the change that we wish to see.

Trainings, Workshops, Con-Current Sessions and Seminars The following topics can be covered in 1.5 hr to 3 hr sessions, and some can be 6 hour seminars.

Things to Know about Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome What College Personnel Need to Know about Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, What Service Providers Need to know about Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and What Job Coaches / Employment Counselors Need to Know about Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. This presentation provides attendees the practical information they need to support or provide services to individuals on the autism spectrum of different ability levels. Information provided is tailored to the needs of the specific audience: College staff and Disabled Student Services Counselors; Service providers/organizations that provide services to adults with developmental disabilities; Support staff, job coaches, transition programs, bus drivers, community organizations.

More than Just Coping: Empowerment Strategies for Parents This motivational and practical workshop provides parents the opportunity to explore the feelings that are inherent to having a child with an autism spectrum disorder, and gives practical and positive strategies for attitude adjustment. Challenging the notion of a ‘grief cycle’ and the loss of expectations; personal beliefs about disability and today’s society’s striving for perfection; knowing what battles to pick and overcoming the fear factor; and how to develop positive relationships with service providers and school districts are all areas that are explored. Chantal’s presentation leaves parents charged and empowered to move forward with their lives.

Life’s Transitions: Preparing Our Students, Preparing Ourselves Drawing from her experiences as a professional in the field of autism and as a parent, Chantal shares insights and hard-won wisdom on how parents and professionals can prepare their students—and themselves—for periods of change. From early intervention to childhood to adolescence and then college, each transition has its challenges. Focusing on each student’s different abilities, rather than disability, will return greater success for the child now and lay the foundation for an adult life built upon hope and possibilities.

Autism Life Skills: Ten Essential Abilities Every Student Needs and Deserves to Learn With advice and reflections from adults on the autism spectrum, as well as her personal experience as an advocate and parent of a young adult with an ASD, Chantal shares practical advice on the life skills each student needs to learn. Based on Chantal’s third book, Autism Life Skills, this positive and empowering "bill of rights" for every person with autism, regardless of impairment level, this session will provide hope and help—so that each individual has a chance to reach his or her full potential.

Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: Everything You Always Wanted to Know, but Were Afraid to Ask Adolescence is a difficult time for everyone, neurotypical or not, as a person transitions from being a child to a young adult. To become as independent in adulthood as possible, teenagers of all different ability levels must learn self-care, appropriate behaviors, modesty and sexuality. Based on Chantal’s second book, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and current research, areas addressed include: explaining about puberty and changing bodies, hygiene and self-care and how to problem-solve difficulties in teaching self-care routines, the importance of modesty, and what to do about masturbation. For safety reasons and in preparation for adulthood, all teenagers need to learn about relationship boundaries, and sexuality. Ideas for preventing bullying and abuse will be discussed.

A Full Life with Autism: Creating a Life Worth Living The transition out of school district services to adult services is a challenge for both the young adults and the parents. This presentation based on Chantal and Jeremy Sicile-Kira’s book, A Full Life with Autism, explains how parents can best prepare themselves and their young adult for this important life change. Topics discussed include how to assist the young adult in creating a self-determined life based on their abilities, goals and interests, and how to create a circle of supports to help the person reach his or her goals.

Preparing for the Real World of Work Temple Grandin says that her work is what gives meaning to her life. Not all individuals on the spectrum are as talented as Temple, but with proper skill-training and preparation, many can have productive employment or careers. This session addresses all different ability levels on the spectrum. An overview of the different types of employment structures currently available, (including self-employment) in the community will be given, as well as a description of 10 top attributes employers are looking for in a potential employee.  

Transition to College A successful transition to college involves careful planning and preparation for the student on the autism spectrum.  Needed life skills for college life, such as self advocacy to request needed accommodations will be addressed. Challenge areas such as scheduling, organizing, socializing and dating, and how to prepare and support your youth in those areas will be discussed.