Schilling to speak at autism conference

October 12, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

POLAND

Shonda Schilling will be the keynote speaker during an Autism Awareness conference, set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, at The Lake Club, 1140 Paulin Road.

Sponsoring the gathering are Potential Development Center and Help Hotline Crisis Center Inc.

Schilling, wife of former Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling, will speak about the couple’s 12-year-old son, Grant, and his having been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.

Schilling, of Medfield, Mass., also will discuss her new book, “The Best Kind of Different.” In it, she chronicles each step of her family’s journey dealing with Asperger’s, discusses Grant’s early years and confronts her own guilt, depression, isolation and pain after having learned of her son’s situation.

“I felt numb and sad at first, but eventually I felt I could take it on when I felt I was not alone,” Schilling said.

She will speak, answer questions and sign books starting about 12:15 p.m.

Tickets are $60 for the full day and $30 for a half-day, which includes lunch and Schilling’s presentation. Those who plan to attend the second portion only are asked to arrive by 11:45 a.m., noted Shellie Sabel, Potential Development’s development officer.

Continuing-education units will be available for professionals, she added.

Tickets can be reserved by calling Sabel at 330-746-7641, ext. 1202.