CHICO — Chico State’s Bell Memorial Union auditorium was packed with students, faculty, staff, people with disabilities, social workers, special education teachers and more Friday during the Northern California Neurodiversity and Disability Symposium.
The program began with a welcome address by Chico State President Steve Perez and then concurrent sessions took place called “Sex Education and Disability” and an “Employment Panel.”
The program also included speeches given by keynote speakers Abbey Romeo and her mother Christine Romeo and a speech by animal welfare and autism expert and author Temple Grandin.
Abbey Romeo, who is now in her early 20s, was diagnosed with autism at two and a half years old. She is a musician, vocalist and autism advocate and was featured on a Netflix series called “Love on the Spectrum.”
Abbey Romeo said in her very brave speech while growing up she “had the words but wasn’t able to get them out.” She would get angry and felt she was different which made her feel isolated and alone. She said she wasn’t safe at school at a very young age because she kept putting things in her mouth.
Christine Romeo speaks at the Northern California Neurodiversity and Disability Symposium at Chico State’s Bell Memorial Union on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 in Chico, California. (Jennie Blevins/Enterprise-Record)
Christine Romeo saw that her daughter had a clear sign of developmental disabilities and began to look for ways to help her. Abbey Romeo has been going to speech therapy for 20 years.
Abbey Romeo joined a vocational program in high school where she was taught job skills. She enjoyed working in an animal shelter and organizing yarn at Joann Fabric and Crafts but told her mother as she got older that she wanted a real job.
“It was great she advocated for herself,” said Christine Romeo. “Abbey has come so far so keep the faith.”
Christine Romeo is a single mother with limited resources and had to get creative when acquiring care for her daughter. She taught Abbey Romeo basic life skills.
“I make Abbey put groceries into the car and call restaurants when we order takeout food and make her own appointments and people pay her to shred paper, which she loves,” said Christine Romeo.
Christine’s advice for parents with autistic children? “Be creative and don’t give up,” she said. “It’s been a miracle with Abbey. Know when to push forward and when to pull back.”
The symposium began in 2017 and this year has been the biggest, according to Kinesology Associate Professor and Chico State Autism Clinic Director Josie Blagrave, who had the brainchild for the symposium. Blagrave said there were just under 650 people who attended the event Friday.
“Everyone is back and engaging,” Blagrave said.
Blagrave said booking Grandin was a feat but everyone was excited to have her there.
“It’s a full house,” Blagrave said Friday afternoon during Grandin’s speech. “People are on the edge of their seats. There has been an excited buzz all day.”
An informational sheet given out to participants said Grandin rose to fame in the autism community as one of the first individuals with autism to share her experiences and perspectives publicly. After her speech ended she signed copies of her books or anything else particpants wanted to have signed.
Blagrave said she enjoyed the symposium.
“It’s fun all around,” Blagrave said. “The speakers are autistic themselves and we have a rapport with the community. It’s a great thing moving forward. We are having to beat students away.”
Blagrave has 15 year old twin sons who are autistic and has autistic friends, so she has experience and sympathy toward the condition.
After Christine Romeo’s speech she took questions from the audience. Two parents who both have autistic children both asked her questions.
“Having Christine and Abbey here is really great,” Blagrave said. “This year we are focusing on the transition into adulthood.”
Blagrave said all of the events were popular.
“It’s so exciting to have everyone happy and engaged,” she said. “The sex and disability speech packed the house and the John Marble speech about the normalcy of neurodiversity. It’s been a really good day with speakers all around.”
Blagrave said the disability rate at Chico State is 12% and there are many resources for students who have disabilities.
After the Romeos’ speeches Cindy Robinson, a licensed clinical social worker who has a master’s in social work at Chico State and works with families, began to well up when she talked about the lack of humanity toward autistic people.
“I wish all kids had a mom like Christine,” Robinson said. “You have to be dedicated to get through the day. Her mom created opportunities.”
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