Thousands of Families of Individuals with Autism to Gather at Autism Society of America Conference in Nashville

Thousands of Families of Individuals with Autism to Gather at Autism Society of America Conference in Nashville

NASCAR's Jamie McMurray to Host Dinner & Photo Session

ASA to Honor Autism Advocacy Leaders Including Tennessee Titan Travis LaBoy

Country Legend Ronnie Milsap to Entertain

Dr. Jose Cordero, of CDC, to Speak

Screening of Film Mozart and the Whale (tickets available)

Screening of CNN's Autism is a World (tickets available)

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Autism Society of America (ASA), the leading voice and resource of the entire autism community, is hosting its 36th National Conference and celebrating its 40th anniversary in Nashville from July 13 to July 15, 2005. Events around the conference include:

* NASCAR's Jamie McMurray, who has a niece with autism, will host Driving Autism Awareness: A Night in Nashville dinner & autograph/photo session; breakfast next morning

WHEN: Driving Autism Awareness, autograph and photo session reception: Wednesday, July 13, 2005; 7:00 p.m. McMurray breakfast: Thursday, July 14, 2005; 7:30-8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Renaissance Hotel, 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203

HOW: Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.autism-society.org/. To reserve a ticket, contact Tiffany Gill at 800-328-8476, ext. 124. Driving Autism Awareness tickets are $40/person, $5/child ages 6-12 (under 5, free); breakfast tickets are $10/adult, $5/child under 12.

* Autism Society of America Evening of Champions dinner will honor autism advocacy leaders

The Autism Society of America will honor leaders in the autism community at its Evening of Champions dinner, including Travis LaBoy, member of the NFL's Tennessee Titans; Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., founder, ASA; Pat Levitt, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; and Art and Cherry Sellinger, CEO/Owner, Long Drivers of America (LDA).

Country music icon, Ronnie Milsap, will provide entertainment at the gala dinner where the leaders will be honored. The 8-time Country Music Association winner also has seven Grammys(R) and four American Country Music awards throughout his career.

WHEN: Friday, July 15, 2005; 6:30 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Renaissance Hotel, 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203

HOW: For information about or to purchase tickets for the Evening of Champions dinner, visit http://www.autism-society.org/champions. Prices range from $75-$250.

* Centers for Disease Control official will speak; thimerosal discussed at conference;

Jose Cordero, MD, director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control, will speak

WHEN: Thursday July 14, 2005 at 9:45 a.m.

WHERE: Nashville Convention Center

Thousands of families of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders will attend the conference. More than 75 sessions will be offered on a variety of autism- related topics, including two on the hot topic, thimerosal and the mercury/autism link.

* ASA will screen film "Mozart and the Whale," documentary "Autism is a World"

ASA will screen "Mozart and the Whale," a romantic comedy starring Josh Hartnett, Radha Mitchell and Gary Cole -- which was inspired by the lives of ASA members Gerald and Mary Newport, who have Asperger's syndrome -- followed by CNN's Academy Award(R)-nominated documentary, "Autism is a World." "Mozart" producers Robert Lawrence and Frank DeMartini will introduce their film, and "Autism" subject Sue Rubin will also attend.

WHEN: Thursday, July 14; 6:30-9:10 p.m.

WHERE: Country Hall of Fame and Museum-Ford Theater, 222 Fifth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203

HOW: The screenings are limited to 200 attendees and are complimentary by the generous support of ASA board members and chapter friends. No less than 100 of these tickets will be available to conference attendees on a first come, first served basis on Thursday, July 14, at the ASA booth throughout the day.

ASA's 36th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders ASA at 40: In TUNE with the FUTURE July 13 - 16, 2005 at the Nashville Convention Center http://www.autism-society.org/2005conference

Source: Autism Society of America

CONTACT: Elizabeth Rose, +1-800-328-8476, ext. 118, lrose@autism-society.org, or Kate Ranta, +1-800-328-8476, ext. 120, kwilliams@autism-society.org, cell: +1-202-329-1167, both of the Autism Society of America

Web site: http://www.autism-society.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media are welcome to attend the conference including the gala dinner for free, but please RSVP to Elizabeth Rose 800-328-8476, ext. 118 or 202-329-1167 (C), or to Kate Ranta 800-328-8476, ext. 120. also Mr. Lee Grossman, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America (ASA), is available for interviews. In addition to being an advocate for families of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mr. Grossman is also the parent of three sons, one of whom has autism.

------- Profile: Ent