POTSDAM -- Stephen Shore, a professor with autism, will speak in Clarkson University's David A. Walsh ‘67 Arts & Sciences Seminar Series on April 9 at noon in the Clarkson University Student Center Multi-Purpose Rooms.

Shore will deliver a presentation tiled "Life on and Slightly to the Right of the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View to Success," an autobiographical journey from the nonverbal days in which he relates his life to the many challenges facing people on the autism spectrum.

Some of the areas discussed include classroom accommodation, teaching of musical instruments, as well as issues faced by adults such as relationships, self-advocacy, higher education, and employment. The session ends with a short audience activity demonstrating what it feels like have autism and to struggle through some of the challenges surrounding communication and socialization.

Shore is an assistant professor in the Department Of Education at Adelphi University.

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies" and "too sick" for outpatient treatment, Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Shore is now a professor at Adelphi University, where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism.

In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Shore presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies, and the newly released DVD Living along the Autism Spectrum: "What it means to have Autism or Asperger Syndrome."

President emeritus of the Asperger's Association of New England and former board member of the Autism Society, Shore serves on the boards of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, the Autism Services Association, and other autism related organizations.

The David A. Walsh ‘67 Arts & Sciences Seminar Series is a weekly colloquium series, supported by the Clarkson School of Arts & Sciences Advisory Council, especially through generous gifts from David A. Walsh ’67.