Cal State Fullerton Hosts Autism Conference May 30-31

Presenters to Showcase Best Practices and Strategies

May 27, 2008 :: No. 272

Belinda Dunnick Karge

With an alarming number of children diagnosed with autism each year, parents, as well as educators, counselors and other professionals, are seeking answers to why and how to deal with the disability.

To share knowledge and generate ideas in autism treatment, Cal State Fullerton's College of Education presents "Autism, Inclusion and Evidence-Based Practice" May 30-31 at the Embassy Suites in Brea, 900 E. Birch St.

The sold-out conference has 370 registrants: special and general education teachers (60 percent of those registered), other professionals who work with children with autism (20 percent) and parents (20 percent) from the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.

Michael Giangreco

Conference presenters include nationally known researchers and educators, as well as parents of autistic children. Topics will include early and medical interventions, parent perspectives and curriculum adaptations.

"We're bringing some of the top researchers in the field of autism to share evidence-based practices with conference attendees," said Belinda Dunnick Karge, professor of special education and conference chair. "Our hope is that this conference will inspire connections and reconnections to perpetuate a continuing interest in the most current, state-of-the-art best practices in inclusive education for individuals with autism."

Studies show that one in 150 children in the United States has autism, and it is four times more likely to occur in boys, noted Karge.

Beth Doyle

Phil Strain of the University of Colorado, Denver, who has spent 30 years conducting research on peer-mediated and inclusive practice for preschoolers with autism, will give the 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 30, keynote address on "Key Ingredients to Effective Inclusive Early Intervention for Children With Autism."

Robert and Lynn Koegel of the Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara, known for research in autism and communication, family support and inclusion, are the opening speakers at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, on the topic "Pivotal Response Treatment: An Evidence-Based Practice."

Additional conference speakers include: University of Vermont's Michael Giangreco, whose work focuses on education for students with disabilities within general education classrooms, and Mary

Suzanne Robinson

Beth Doyle of Saint Michael's College in Vermont. She works with future general education teachers to prepare them for working with disabled students and will address "Directing the Work of Paraprofessionals in Inclusive Classrooms." Giangreco will discuss "Inclusive Education: Lessons Learned."

Among the workshop sessions will be "Legal, Ethical and Educational Practice," presented by Cal State Fullerton's Suzanne Robinson, assistant professor of special education, and Jan S. Weiner, associate professor of special education. Beyond her research efforts, Robinson has experience employing evidence-based best practices for individuals with autism. Weiner has been an advocate for people with autism for more than 35 years and is an avid proponent of placing autistic children in general education classrooms.

Weiner and Robinson will facilitate a 1 p.m. May 31 best-practices discussion featuring parents of autistic children.

Jan S. Weiner

Weiner noted that while some parents of autistic children want quick-fix answers and may turn to unproven treatment methods, she is a strong supporter of evidence-based inclusive practices that, ultimately, help integrate the child into the community throughout his or her life.

"The focus of the parent panel is to have parents talk about their personal journeys and experiences with evidence-based practices and full inclusion for their children," Weiner said. "We want to give parents a voice because parents really know what's best for their children, and we ought to listen to them."

The conference is funded, in part, through grant monies awarded to Cal State Fullerton from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The university received a $38,000 CDC grant for this year's conference.

As part of the conference, 25 educators will be selected to receive coaching on advanced strategies to work with autistic children and participate in a study designed to educate teachers of evidence-based practices, Karge said. Study results will be shared at the 2009 conference.

For their $65 registration fee, conference attendees also will receive breakfast and lunch both days and a copy of Lynn Koegel's book "Overcoming Autism." For students signed up to attend, their registration fees were waived and covered by grant funds.

Conference sessions are 8:30-5 p.m. Friday, May 30, and 8:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31.

For more information, call 657-278-3760 or visit http://www.omniverve.com/GSEC/

Media Contacts:
Belinda Dunnick Karge, Special Education, 657-278-3760 or bkarge@fullerton.edu
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu

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