About the Conference

PRISMS 2018 International Smith-Magenis Syndrome Conference has been developed to educate and share information about SMS while providing opportunities for engagement and community amongst SMS families and professionals.
 
P.R.I.S.M.S., an acronym for Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome, is dedicated to providing information and support to families of persons with Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS), and fostering partnerships with professionals to increase awareness and understanding of SMS.
 
Invited guests include individuals and families affected by Smith-Magenis Syndrome as well as the professional community with an interest in Smith-Magenis Syndrome.
 
The goals of the conference include:
  • To understand the medical, social, developmental and behavioral aspects of SMS.
  • To gain knowledge about the most recent advances in diagnosis, management and potential benefits to persons with SMS.
  • To develop intervention strategies, treatment and management plans for persons with SMS.
  • To recognize the psychosocial aspects impacting SMS families and the role of PRISMS as a network.
  • To learn about SMS, past, present and future.
  • And, most importantly, to share information and tips with other families.

Hotel

The conference will be held at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Please use the website link below to reserve a room at the PRISMS discounted rate of $139.00 single/double, plus applicable taxes. The discounted rate is available three days before the conference as well as three days after the conference based on availability.
  • Make your reservations prior to June 25, 2018 to receive the discounted rate.
  • After June 25, 2018 the discounted rate may not be available.
  • Click on this hotlink or call 800-228-9290: Book your group rate for PRISMS
 

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS 

Teacher/Service Provider Training Workshop will consist of a two-part training session that will profile the PRISMS publication, "On the Road to Success with SMS - A Smith-Magenis Guidebook for Schools" by Barbara Haas-Givler and Brenda Finucane. Barbara Haas-Givler, MEd, BCBA, and Brenda Finucane, MS, LGC, will be presenting this workshop. This workshop will be an engaging session directed towards educators, BCBAs, day-support providers, job coaches and school administrators and support staff. The workshop will present successful solutions to challenging situations that may occur when working with a child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. This will also be an opportunity for the attendees to brainstorm with one another and share effective approaches for classroom, vocational and residential situations.  This workshop will provide effective instruction and strategies for those who will be teaching/working with a person with SMS and a forum for these professionals to share ideas.  We encourage parents to invite their child’s current teacher, or prospective teacher for the 2018-2019 school year, as well as behavior specialists and support staff. Parents are also welcome!
 
We will also be offering a limited amount of funding to help support teachers and specialists to attend the conference.  
 
To apply for the grant: www.prisms.org

The Adult Living Workshop will also be offered on Thursday afternoon, July 19th. The workshop will present a range of adult living situations that are being used by our SMS families. It will offer details about different residential settings, technical information associated with each program and general notes about the process of putting the various programs in place. The workshop will also address employment opportunities members of our SMS community have engaged. A publication that will complement the Adult Living Workshop is available as a resource for families.

First Steps Session
This session is for those attending the conference for the first (or second) time.  It will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 19 from 1:15 – 2:45 pm. The First Steps Session was created to welcome, engage, encourage and support those who are new to the conference experience.  The session will provide an opportunity for new families to interact with one another as well as veteran “Parent Ambassadors” prior to the start of the conference.  We will provide information that introduces them to both the PRISMS community and the conference.
 
The First Steps Session is open to parents/caregivers who are attending the conference for the first or second time.  We ask that individuals with SMS do not attend but make use of the childcare provided.  

Child Care

This conference is intended for parents and professionals. If you are unable to make local arrangements for childcare, PRISMS is offering childcare through an outside firm, Corporate Kids. Corporate Kids will provide childcare for SMS children and their siblings, between the ages of 4-18 years old.
 
Corporate Kids Events provides the ultimate childcare and entertainment for events worldwide.  Their time tested, ability specific activities are always fun, enriching while keeping safety as a priority. CKE management has organized and managed customized camps and childcare programs for over 17 years.  Their combined passion for children, education, art and recreation enables them to provide great care and support.  Combining all of this with their secure sign-in and out procedures, digital photo security system and ID tags, parents can enjoy their time at the conference knowing their little ones are safe, having fun and under the care of experienced, nurturing childcare professionals.  
 
This year’s camp will provide a highly structured environment and a 1 staff to 2 children ratio.  All staff will be experienced childcare professionals with experience working with special needs children.  Daily activities will be scheduled based on your child’s particular needs and comfort.  Upon completion of your childcare registration form a representative of Corporate Kids Events will contact you to review your child's needs and answer any questions you may have in regards to the upcoming program. 
 
The subsidized cost of childcare does NOT include the child's conference registration fee of $100, ($75 for child with SMS). Childcare will be available on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. Registrations for Corporate Kids must be made before June 25, 2018; on-site registration will not be available..
 
Childcare (ages 4-18)
Thursday, July 19 1:00pm-5:00pm   $45.00
Friday, July 20 7:45am-5:15pm   $90.00
Friday, July 20 7:00pm-9:00pm   $20.00
Saturday, July 21 7:45am-5:15pm   $90.00
 
“Childcare registration is a separate registration from the conference registration. You will be charged separately for childcare registration.”

Use this link to register your child for childcare: CHILDCARE REGISTRATION. Childcare is during the sessions, totaling 18 hours of childcare for each participant. Siblings are welcome in childcare. Registration will begin in April.

Special Event for our SMS adults, (ages 16 and up)
TThis conference, we are offering The PRISMS Den, for our SMS adult attendees, ages 16 and up. The PRISMS Den will take place on Thursday, July 19, Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Corporate Kids will also be providing 1:2 supervision for The PRISMS Den. The PRISMS Den will be geared towards our adults and include activities such as:
 
Nintendo WiiXbox Video Game Contest
Music Time (instrument play)
Craft Stations

 
You may register for both the childcare and the PRISMS Den if your child is between the ages of 16-18, but both fees would apply. 

PRISMS Den (ages 16 and older)
Thursday, July 19 1:00pm-5:00pm   $40.00
Friday, July 20 1:00pm-5:00pm   $40.00
Saturday, July 21 1:00pm-5:00pm   $40.00
 
“Childcare registration is a separate registration from the conference registration. You will be charged separately for childcare registration.”
 
Please use this link to register for The PRISMS Den: CHILDCARE REGISTRATION

PRISMS Night at City Center: Honoring 25 Years and a Future of Hope
When: Thursday, July 19th 8:00pm-11:00pm
Where: Marriott City Center Ballroom
 
PRISMS Board of Directors invites you to join us for a social evening of fun, music, community, and celebration. This year, PRISMS is celebrating 25 years of leadership and a future of hope! We want you to celebrate with us.
 
This is an “adults only” event and tickets are $100 per person. We have a limited number of 125 tickets available for the evening. It is recommended to get your tickets early. There will be raffle opportunities, heavy hors d’ouevres, drink specials, and more!
 
Proceeds will help to offset some of the expenses that make the 2018 conference affordable for all families, including childcare costs and family scholarships. This is a special and unique occasion for you to join your friends who are part of the PRISMS community and enjoy a social gathering.

Financial Assistance

In the past, some families in need have received free transportation and partial or full funding from community resources such as Social Services, Local Churches, Synagogues, Special Education Services, Knights of Columbus (www.kofc.org/),  the Shriners (www.shriners.com), Lions Clubs International (www.lionsclubs.org), Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org), Angel Flight - serving the western US (www.angelflight.org or 1-888-4-AN-ANGEL), and National Patient Air Transport - serving the eastern US (www.npath.org).

Families may also be able to obtain funding to attend the conference through your child’s IEP process. For more information, read this guide on our website: How to Obtain Conference Funding Through the IEP Process.

 In addition, a limited amount of financial assistance is available directly from PRISMS. The deadline for financial aid applications is June 1, 2018.  Please contact [email protected] for more information.