The YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network will hold its 29th Annual International Conference: "Visions of Hope and Opportunity" on May 5-May 9, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan Hotel, 1605 Broadway, in New York City.

Known for its comprehensive and hands-on trainings, this year�s conference is designed for professionals at all levels, family members and individuals with developmental and learning disabilities. Special sessions designed for families will provide best practices and other tips to help support their child with disabilities and entire family. The more than 160 seminars and workshops will focus on key issues, including:

Advocacy, Aging, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Clinical Issues, Day Services, Early Intervention, Family Supports, Health Care, Inclusion, Positive Behavioral Support, Residential, Self-determination, Sensory Integration, Sexuality/Socialization, Spectrum Disorders, Transition, Workforce Issues

The conference will also feature new extended sessions to provide attendees with access to even more new developments and effective practices in our field.

Two post-conference workshops are scheduled for Friday, May 9th. Dr. Jed Baker, a clinical psychologist and behavioral consultant to school systems, will focus on tools for handling challenging behaviors and increase social skills in verbal and nonverbal students in his workshop titled "Social Skills Training and Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Autism, Aspergers and other Social-Communication Problems."

Dr. Rick Lavoie, a consultant on learning disabilities to many agencies and organizations, including Public Broadcasting Service and The New York Times, and an administrator of residential programs, will present on "It�s So Much Work to Be Your Friend" and "The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turn On the Tuned-Out Child."

Toni Linder, a professor and graduate coordinator of the College of Education at the University of Denver, will present a full-day workshop on her play-based curriculum, "Read, Play, and Learn!�"

The Premier HealthCare Training Institute will host its 7th Annual One-Day Conference on best practices in Autism, on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism who has been prominently featured in the media, including in The New York Times, Forbes and on NBC�s "Today" and "Larry King Live," will deliver a keynote address on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D., an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Child Study Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, will present an extended training on the discrepancy between cognitive potential and adaptive, real-life success in higher functioning individuals on the autism spectrum. She�ll also focus on alternative interventions in autism, as well as impairments in sensory processing.

For more information, visit yai.org/pid. The conference brochure will be online in mid-February and online registration begins in March. You may also contact Tina Sobel, Senior Manager of YAI/NIPD�s Professional Information Department, at tsobel@yai.org , or 212-273-6457.