It is regional conference time, and I have just returned from the joint MWR/GLR conference held in Lombard, IL. I am not generally able to attend regional conferences due to the limited amount of time that I have for professional development, but I did get to attend this one. I found myself in the middle of a primarily clinical world, something that is often missing at the National conference.
I need to explain what I mean.
At National conference, the majority of folks who present appear to be researchers and professors. This is an important aspect of our professional development, true, but clinicians often attend to get some practical tips and techniques for use with clientele. Things to take home, ways to feel refreshed, opportunities for asking other clinicians about client populations. National conferences are often not as focused on "how-to" as I want them to be. There also appears to be a lack of professional level "How-To" courses. All are advertised as entry-level courses. This often indicates that the two-hour presentation will be made up of a 90-minute description of autism spectrum disorder and 30 minutes of practical applications.
Regional conferences are different. Many of the presentations that were offered during the 2 days I was there were practical, yet professional, and highly appropriate to take home and use immediately!
Thank you, colleagues, for demonstrating to me that others out there are looking for the same information, and for making the conference so much fun!
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU!
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