ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — People just don’t make sense. They use language that has no logic behind it. They always want me to look at them. Can’t they understand that I can’t “read” their faces? It is so hard to get through a day …

That’s what a person with one of the many autism spectrum disorders might say if they were asked about living with normal or “neurotypical” people.

To increase understanding, CAAR (the Center for Autism and Asperger Resources, Inc.) will sponsor “Life on and slightly to the right of the autism spectrum: An inside view towards promoting life long success for people with autism,” a conference featuring author Stephen Shore and Paul Hough, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Aug. 1 at 22703 Racine St., the former site of the First Baptist Church in Robertsdale.

The first conference, designed for professionals, (but organizers say it will be valuable to all) will begin at 8 a.m. and run to 3:30 p.m. Educators will earn continuing education credits for attending this session. A second program, designed for the general public, will begin at 7 p.m. and run to 9 p.m.

"This is important because individuals at the right side of the spectrum are average to above average IQ and have a lot of potential to be successful, with the proper supports in place." said Mary Thweatt, CAAR director.

Shore, who holds a doctorate in special education from Boston University, has an autism spectrum disorder. He’s very aware of the struggles most ASD youngsters go through.

“When I was in the public schools,” said Shore, “the teachers really didn’t know what to do with me. I recall hours spent reading my favorite books.”

ASD strikes about one in 150 children, according to a Centers for Disease Control Web site. Boys are affected more often than girls. The disorder has a number of names: Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder — Not Otherwise Specified), and a number of “alphabet soup” diagnoses. The big problem for educators is what to do with the increasing numbers of young people who need some extra, perhaps specialized, help.

Youngsters with ASD also run into difficulty with their classmates because children with ASD don’t always understand how they are coming across to others.

“There is a lot of bullying and teasing,” said Shore. “There is beginning to be an awareness of that.”

Shore is the author or editor of three books, “Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum,” “Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome,” and “Understanding Autism for Dummies.” Currently he is an adjunct professor at Antioch University, at Keene, N.H., and teaches music to youngsters with ASD.

Hough will also speak at the confrence. He will present “Learning and Skill Acquisition for Children with Asperger’s Syndrome,” and “Behavioral Management.”

“The idea is that I am going to be teaching the teachers,” said Hough. “I have to make this realistic for the teachers.”

He added that he will be sharing methods for teachers to implement a program useful for children with ASD in the schools.

And helping children with ASD does not mean that “normal” youngsters will be left behind, Hough says.

“Instead of one child child being singled out, everybody is treated the same,” said Hough. “You have to present things differently, and that might benefit other students as well.”

Shore thinks some other professionals besides educators would learn from the conference.

“Parents and educators should certainly come,” said Shore in a phone interview. “I think school administrators, doctors, therapists and people on the autism spectrum would benefit.”

Shore added that most teachers “don’t get the proper support” when it comes to helping youngsters with ASD.

“The idea is to give teachers the background (to understand students with ASD).”

Cost for the morning session is $80, which includes two meals and materials and supplies. A number of scholarships from the Autism Society of Alabama and other groups are available, and those interested should call Thweatt at 971-2175 for more information.

The evening session, which begins at 7 p.m. is open to all and there is no charge for admission. Donations, however, will be accepted says Thweatt.

“We are very lucky to have both experts coming to the area. Dr. Shore usually speaks at big conferences, so it’s an honor to have him come here.”

The CAAR Web site is alcarr.org, and Thweatt can be reached by calling 971-2175