Neurodiversity Leaders 2016: Adult Autism Advances

Sondra Williams, Program Developer for the S.P.E.A.K.S. Art Program

Keynote Speaker Sondra Williams is an adult with autism and a leader for autistic people nationwide. She was non-speaking for most of her early years. By age 13 she went into crisis and was locked into institutional care in multiple mental health facilities. Abandoned by her family, she endured significant trauma and abuse. Sondra survived, educated herself and today is a sought-after national speaker on autism, disability and trauma. She sits on local, state and national boards. In 2013 she received the Courage Award from the Governor of Ohio for her outstanding work as an advocate and mentor to those living with autism, including cultivating young autistic leaders for tomorrow. In 2016 she received the Impact Award for her work in the area of trauma and disabilities. Sondra is the Program Developer for the S.P.E.A.K.S. Art Program. She is married and the mother of 4 adult children and a granddaughter, who are also living with ASD.

"Hackie" Reitman, M.D.

Neurodiversity Advocate

Keynote Speaker "Hackie" Reitman, M.D. is a neurodiversity advocate, and the author of Aspertools: The Practical Guide to Understanding and Embracing Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Neurodiversity. He is also the founder of the neurodiversity community website DifferentBrains.com. Reitman is an orthopedic surgeon, a former professional heavyweight boxer known as The Fighting Surgeon, an independent filmmaker, and the father of an “Aspie” diagnosed later in life. Dr. Reitman speaks around the country to raise awareness about neurodiversity. His feature length film “The Square Root of 2” starring Darby Stanchfield of ABC's “ Scandal” tells a fictionalized story inspired by true events about the struggles of a female college student with undiagnosed Asperger’s. Dr. Reitman also recently produced “Asperger’s, Autism, and The Square Root of 2: A Neurodiversity Documentary,” which features several experts in this arena.