Autism Conference Explores Research Practices

What:
Cal State Fullerton’s sixth annual autism conference, “Autism, Inclusion and Evidence-Based Practice,” Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, will feature experts in autism spectrum disorders — a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social communication and behavioral challenges in children. Attendees include parents of children with autism spectrum conditions, teachers and education administrators. April is Autism Awareness Month. 

Who:
Presenters include: Jan S. Weiner, Cal State Fullerton associate professor of special education; Jan Blacher, professor of education at UC Riverside; Laura J. Hall, professor of special education at San Diego State University; and Elizabeth Laugeson, licensed clinical psychologist with UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. 

Where:

Embassy Suites,
900 S. Birch St., Brea, 92821

When:

FRIDAY, APRIL 29
8:30a.m.–3:30p.m.:
Workshops for educators include “The Social Compass Curriculum,” focusing on evidence-based curriculum that integrates behavioral change procedures for students with autism spectrum disorders.

4-5 p.m.:
Jan S. Weiner will present “What Is Evidence-Based Best Practice Determining Best Outcomes for Adult Transition Students With Autism?” a historical perspective of the treatment of individuals with disabilities and their segregation, ranging from the eugenics movement to current evidence-based best practice, which emphasizes a fully inclusive approach to teaching and outcomes.

5:30-7 p.m.:
“Transition Into Adulthood,” a panel of young adults with autism spectrum disorders will discuss issues, difficulties and triumphs they face related to the transition from school into careers.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30
8 a.m.-4 p.m.:
Workshops for educators and parents, book author presentations

8-9:15 a.m.:
Laura J. Hall will present “Using Evidence-Based Practices to Challenge the Quiet Learner With Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Her presentation will focus on the importance of challenging these learners, who may avoid educational activities and the attention of educators by remaining quiet.

9:30-11 a.m.:
Jan Blacher will discuss “Making School Days Happy Days: Student-Teacher-Relationships in Autism.” Her presentation will focus on how teachers can facilitate the successful transition to early schooling for children on the autism spectrum and positive short-term term and long-term student outcomes. She also is director of SEARCH (Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Community and Hope), a resource center to assist families of children with autism.

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:
Elizabeth Laugeson will share the latest research and developments on PEERS, a parent-assisted social skills intervention for teens that she co-developed. A clinical instructor in UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Laugeson also is director of the Help Group-UCLA Autism Research Alliance.

1:30-2:30 p.m.:
CSUF alumna Jennifer McIlwee Myers (B.S. in computer science ’00), author of “How to Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger’s” and someone with Asperger’s, will address the integration of life-skills training into the education of students with autism spectrum disorders.

2:45-4 p.m.:
Juda Carter, a CSUF lecturer in special education and co-author of “Keep it Positive: A New Approach to Successful Parenting,” will present strategies for use by parents of children with autism, to effectively manage behavioral issues at home.

Background:
The autism conference was created in 2005 as a forum for teachers, administrators, families and other professionals to gather and share knowledge and ideas to perpetuate lifelong learning about autism spectrum disorder. Citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Belinda Dunnick Karge, professor of special education and conference chair, noted that an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder. “This means that almost everyone knows someone, or will meet a child with autism in his or her lifetime,” said Karge. She recently received a $1.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant http://calstate.fullerton.edu/news/inside/2010/on-track-grant.html that funds an effort to increase the number and quality of special education, math and science teachers.

Information:
Contact Belinda Dunnick Karge of Special Education, 657-278-3760, bkarge@fullerton.edu or visit http://ed.fullerton.edu/sped

Media Contacts:

Belinda Dunnick Karge, Special Education, 657-278-3760 or bkarge@fullerton.edu

Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027, 657-278-2414 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu