Atlantic General Hospital’s annual Autism Conference going virtual this year

BERLIN, Md. – Atlantic General Hospital’s annual autism conference is going virtual this year out of precaution against COVID-19. “We rely on community input for the focus of our event and it’s an important one for those individuals and families who are facing the challenges of autism. It’s an issue that a lot of people face in our country,” said Clinical Coordinator for Community Education Genie Blake.

The online event is open to all and will be hosted over Zoom. Blake says that the panel will host three experts – including a dietitian, and two experts on autism. “We are talking about nutrition which a lot of people don’t think about when it comes to autism. We’re also talking about what parents and families can understand going through quarantine,” said Blake.

Blake says AGH is working with the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore to connect the panelists with the public. “Autism does touch so many families and in this area, it is hard to get information without going over the bridge. So this is a great way for us to provide outreach right here in the area,” said Blake.

Blake tells 47ABC that the virtual conference could even be an advantage – as it opens the event up to more people. “Even as a virtual event, it has its advantages over our regular in person event in that there are no limits to our attendees. Usually this is a sold out event, but because we’re doing Zoom, we have no limits like we normally do,” said Blake.

Blake says after the panelists speak they will answer questions from the public. The virtual conference will be held on August eleventh from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you’d like to join in – you can email Genie Blake at GBlake@AtlanticGeneral.org.