Louisiana Autism Conference

St. Nicholas Center Worldwide is proud to announce that Elizabeth Elder, Founder and Executive Director of Steel Magnolia Moms, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Louisiana Autism Conference.

Elizabeth Elder brings a deeply personal and inspiring perspective to the conference. As the mother of three children, two of whom were diagnosed with Leigh Syndrome, a neurodegenerative disease, Elder spent years navigating doctors' visits, therapies, and the search for answers. Following the passing of her 11-year-old daughter Annabelle in 2021, Elder has remained dedicated to growing Steel Magnolia Moms—a national non-profit organization ensuring that mothers of children with special needs know they are not alone. Her keynote address will highlight resilience, purpose, and the vital importance of community support for families raising children with complex medical and developmental needs.

Designed to empower and educate the community, the conference expects to welcome more than 350 attendees, including parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, first responders, and community members. Whether an attendee is a teacher, a law enforcement officer, or a supportive neighbor, the event is tailored to provide everyone with practical, hands-on strategies for supporting and caring for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Expert-led workshops at the conference will cover a wide array of essential and timely topics. Key sessions will dive into managing including managing challenging behaviors and implementing effective classroom techniques. Additionally, a specialized training session will be offered for law enforcement and first responders to help them effectively identify, respond to, and de-escalate encounters involving individuals with Autism, developmental delays, or those with communication and sensory disorders.

General admission tickets for the full-day conference are $200. Attendees are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the early bird ticket pricing of $175, which is available until October 23.

Local businesses and community leaders interested in supporting the event through sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to get involved. For sponsorship inquiries, early questions, or vendor interest, please contact Chris Jones at [email protected].