Gadsden, AL: Conference promotes autism acceptance; 'blessings from God'

Mar 27, 2025, Anniston (AL) Star: Autism conference to feature Harvard expert, offer training credits 

https://www.annistonstar.com/news/local/autism-conference-to-feature-harvard-expert-offer-training-credits/article_bb135e6a-1819-4cdf-8b35-41a150d08eeb.html 

GADSDEN — A mother's unwavering love transforms into a powerful advocacy movement as Mamta Mishra prepares to host the 4th annual Autism Conference on April 19, shining a light on autism awareness and support.

Mishra, founder and president of the Autism Foundation of Gadsden, knows firsthand the challenges of raising a child with autism. Her son, Parag, was diagnosed at two years and seven months old, a moment that initially left her feeling hopeless but ultimately sparked a remarkable journey of understanding and empowerment.

“I had not even heard the word autism,” Mishra said. “So the more I researched and read about it, I got very depressed and disheartened. Actually, it was very shattering, because there is no cure for autism.”

Determined not to cry or sulk about her son’s condition, Mishra decided instead she would become his biggest advocate. That determination led Mishra to pursue a master's in special education and write two books documenting her family's experiences. Her first book, Autism: Our Journey and Finding Happiness, has been translated into Spanish and developed a Facebook following of over 130,000 supporters.

The upcoming conference, themed “Together, We Can Make a Difference,” will feature a keynote speaker from Harvard University's mental health department, Dr. Shekhar Saxena. The event, which is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., aims to focus on caregiver well-being and practical skills for supporting individuals with autism, and provide hands-on learning and caregiver training programs.

The conference will act as a valuable training course not just for caregivers, teachers and community members involved with special needs individuals, but also as certified training for doctors, nurses and other first responders.

Mishra explained that the conference will earn six Continuing Medical Education credits for doctors and nurse practitioners, six Continuing Education Unit credits for education professionals and nurses, three CU credits for first responders and six CEU credits for behavioral analyst-BCBA and BCaBA.

“‘We are also training first responders for free and that is sponsored by Doctors Med Care,” Mishra said.

Mishra's ultimate goal remains clear: to build understanding, promote acceptance and create meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism. Mishra explained that 40 percent of the Autistic population is non-verbal. Because of this, she said that those individuals need “our” voice to be heard and understood.

“No mother plans to give birth to a special needs baby, but the day we realize that they are blessings from God — and God never, ever makes mistakes — that is the day we become their protector,” Mishra said. “We become their guardian and advocate. I was thinking, I'll be just Parag's advocate, but the way things have happened, I'm advocating for this cause now.”

The conference will be held at the Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden, with registration details available through the Autism Foundation of Gadsden.