Once a year, families affected by autism come to Chicago to attend the largest and most comprehensive conference on autism in the country. AutismOne and Generation Rescue commemorate April as Autism Awareness Month by announcing the biggest lineup of advocates ever assembled to inform parents and educate professionals about autism prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will deliver the keynote address Friday, May 24. “We could not be more thrilled,” says Laura Rowley, of AutismOne. “Mr. Kennedy is a hero and a champion to millions of Americans. He is a man of uncompromised values and his upcoming presentation fills me with a sense of hope and joy.”

Kennedy brings to Chicago powerful and compelling new information to share with the community. His involvement comes at a watershed time when new figures released by the CDC indicate 1-in-50 school-age children have autism.

Congressional Panel: Congressmen Dan Burton, Dave Weldon, MD, and Bill Posey

During his 30 years in Congress, many of them as Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, Burton was involved in over 20 hearings on autism. Burton’s grandson developed autism after receiving 9 vaccines on the same day. His pursuit of truth and passionate leadership helped define and inspire the modern autism movement.

Dr. Weldon retired after 14 years in Congress, where he was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus. He spent years working with leaders in the autism community to discover any factors that contribute to its occurrence as well as explore all available research into its prevention, including removing thimerosal from vaccines.

Currently, in his third term, Congressman Bill Posey’s political career has been defined by a “take-charge attitude,” according to the Washington Post. In the November 2012 Congressional hearing on the rise in autism, Posey’s take-charge attitude is evident. Dr. Weldon endorsed Posey to succeed him.

Learn more about the Congressional Panel here.

Celebrity Panel: Jenny McCarthy , Jacqueline & Chris Laurita, and Miss Montana (Alexis Wineman)

Led by warrior mom Jenny McCarthy, the celebrity panel shares their own personal autism experiences. Jenny is the mom of a recovered child, Jacqueline and Chris Laurita’s son was recently diagnosed, while Alexis Wineman, the youngest 2012 Miss America contestant, has autism. Each shares their distinct and unique stories of growth, success, and courage to help guide you in your journey.

The Conference

Teri Arranga, of AutismOne says, “With over 100 leading experts covering biomedical treatments, gut issues, special diets, educational therapies, behaviors, advocacy, prevention, adolescence, adulthood, legal issues, schools, wandering, nutrition, testing, and more parents attending the conference can go home and begin healing their child the same day.”

Fee: ONLY $50! For the Entire 5-Day Conference until May 7. $100 after May 7 and at the door. Dates: Wednesday, May 22 – Sunday, May 26. Location: Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018. Contact: Please visit www.autismone.org, call 800.908.5803 or email info@autismone.org.

AutismOne is a non-profit, charity organization helping children recover for more than a decade.