NORWICH – An internationally renowned author and special educator is the guest speaker at a conference on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome coming up next weekend in Syracuse.

Local special educators encourage parents, educators and physicians in Chenango County to hear Canadian psychologist Isabelle Hénault’s presentation: “Exploring Autism 2007: Autism Spectrum and Sexuality.”

Hénault’s speech will be part of a day-long conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Syracuse/Liverpool Holiday Inn located on the Electronics Parkway. Panel members include Jeff Lamicela, an adult with Asperperger’s who parents three children on the spectrum, Douglas Ort, a marriage and family counselor from Watertown, and Hartwick College professor, Tom Travisano, Ph.D and wife Sonja, parent advocate, whose college age son has Asperger’s.

The conference’s founder, Mark Schneider, Ph.D., said Dr. Hénault has a worldwide reputation for engaging audiences and teaching people how to reach children who have social issues.