Chattanooga Autism Center hosts 13th annual conference

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Autism Center hosted its annual autism conference at the Chattanooga Convention center.  More than 600 people were in attendance. 

“We have more than 100 parents here, 100 or so teachers, we have dozens of autistic adults, and Spanish speakers all coming together to learn about autism,” said Dave Buck, Executive Director of the Chattanooga Autism Center. 

The autistic spectrum is wide. Every person is different, and we are learning more every day.

Exhibitors filled the convention center Friday for the Chattanooga Autism Conference.

More than 100 teachers were there, so were 200 parents.  

“Autism is still not as understood as we would like it to be as far as people being inclusive and understanding about the autistic world,” said Buck. “Teachers want to be better teachers and parents want to be better parents, so here is a place where people can come and learn those things about autism.” 

Greater Chattanooga is home to more than 16,000 people who are on the spectrum.

Helping them live to their best lives was the goal of this conference. That starts with raising awareness.  

“It is very important to me because the conference is a place for the Autistic community to gather. In one of my sessions, we were talking about finding your tribe, so this is a place where you can find people that are like you and find resources that can help you grow in the community. It is just the place for us all to get together and talk which I think is really important,” said Kevin Fox, intern at Chattanooga Autism Center.