Registration is required for this event. Please register here.

Hershey Area – All Things Diversity is a free series of programs coordinated by Derry Township and The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue. The May installment will feature a panel that will present on the topic of Creating an Inclusive Community for Individuals with Autism.

Panel members include a working adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a parent of a child with ASD, and a professor of special education with a Ph.D. in school psychology:

Nathaniel Reed Geyer was diagnosed as a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He currently has ten years experience in public health research in the areas of cancer, obesity, HIV, epilepsy, public health workforce, and Vitamin D ancestry. He has advanced knowledge of statistical, software, and analyses procedures; holds a Doctor of Public Health, a Masters in epidemiology, and a Bachelors in Biology with a concentration in ecology. He is an experienced scholar practitioner with a broad background in bio-statistics, epidemiology, and geographical information systems (GIS). He has submitted abstracts to conferences and in the process of publishing key manuscripts in the literature, especially in the areas of HIV epidemiology, obesity, cancer, and epilepsy.

Sherry Christian, anchor at CBS 21, and parent of a daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sherry joined CBS 21 in July of 2002. Before her employment with CBS 21, Sherry held positions in Detroit, Baltimore, Florence, South Carolina and Tallahassee, Florida. Sherry says she was primed for a career in television news by her father’s military career. Growing up she lived in many different cities including Manila, Philippines. During her career in television broadcasting, Sherry has earned numerous awards including an Emmy for Outstanding Local Newscast for CBS 21 News This Morning. She has served on the boards of many civic organizations including being a past president and board member for the Greater Harrisburg Area Autism Society. Sherry spends much of her time raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder with one of her 3 daughters being diagnosed with the disorder. Sherry and her husband Jeremy live in the Harrisburg area with their daughters.

Dr. Nancy Patrick is a Professor of Special Education and the Director of the Graduate Program in Education at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where she has responsibility for creating the graduate education programs and has taught classes in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Assessment, and Instructional Strategies for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr Patrick has held prior positions in special education, including Autism Consultant and School Psychologist at Central Dauphin School District.

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations based on a disability, please contact Amy Bischof at [email protected] or 717-520-5591. Seven business days advance notice of need for accommodations is requested.

This program is underwritten by Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, The Hershey Company and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.

Schedule of Events:

5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Light Dinner

6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Presentation

7:15 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Dessert

Registration is required for this event. Please register here.