Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are eligible to apply for scholarships to attend the University of North Texas Kristin Farmer Autism Center's 5th Adventures in Autism Intervention and Research Conference on July 27 (Saturday).

The scholarship funds from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities will support attendance of 50 parents of children with autism. Free child care and lunch will be provided. Contact Kevin Stewart, 940-369-7949 for information.

The conference features two keynote speakers.

• Dr. Brian Reichow of the Yale University Child Study Center will discuss "Evidence-Based Practices: From Focal Interventions to Comprehensive Treatment Models"
• Dr. Katherine Loveland of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will talk about "The Transition Age Young Adult with ASD/Asperger's." 

More than 20 other presentations will cover research developments that will be of interest to special educators, behavior analysts, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, parents and other autism service providers. Download conference registration forms and costs.

After the conference, eight bands from the DFW and Austin areas will rock the stage in a benefit concert to raise money to support the mission of the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center. The benefit concert will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. July 27 (Saturday) in the atrium of the Business Leadership Building. The lineup will feature School of Rock, Goodnight Ned, Blue Bear, The O's, Fate Lions and Jess and the Echoes. (Jess Kellner of Jess and the Echoes competed on this season of NBC's "The Voice.") The cost of the DREAM 2013 Benefit Concert is $15. Tickets are available online: DREAM 2013 Benefit on Facebook or Ticket Bud.

The conference and benefit concert are sponsored by Autism Comprehensive Educational Services, Inc.

About the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center

The UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center, housed in UNT's College of Education, provides families a resource for comprehensive autism spectrum disorders treatment, research and support and allows UNT to bring together its long history of interdisciplinary autism services and research under one roof. The center allows families in the North Texas region and beyond to have access to high-quality services designed and implemented by top researchers, professors and professionals in the fields of special education, applied behavior analysis, early childhood intervention, speech and language pathology and other fields in autism and disabilities intervention.

About UNT's College of Education

UNT's College of Education prepares students to contribute to the advancement of education, health and human development. Founded in 1890 as a teacher's training college, UNT now enrolls more than 4,000 students in the College of Education, which consists of four departments -- counseling and higher education; educational psychology; kinesiology, health promotion and recreation; and teacher education and administration. UNT's College of Education certifies about 1,000 teachers a year -- making it the largest producer of new teachers in the north Texas region. Students are also prepared for careers as researchers, counselors, leaders, physical activity and health promotion specialists, child development and family studies specialists and more.