An Exceptional Life
Help for Adults & Children with Autism
"Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not
Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder." - http://www.autismspeaks.org
Autism is more than just a general term, it is a disorder that has become a growing national public health crisis. On December 18, 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), released a report stating that autism has been diagnosed in 1 in every 110 American children, or 1% of children. It also states that this disorder, which has increased in prevalence since 2002, affects 1 in 70 boys.
Those numbers are staggering. Also staggering are the challenges that parents and practitioners face in providing treatment to their loved ones. Depending on where a child falls along the spectrum of autism disorders, they can require extensive care and intervention. Children and adults with autism often struggle in social interactions, sometimes to an extreme degree, and effective intervention techniques and practices can make a huge difference in their lives.
That's where Cleveland State University Assistant Professor Dr. Anthony L. Menendez, (pictured here with CSU student Kristi Batey) comes in. Menendez has partnered with his research mentor, Dr. John J. Wheeler, a respected expert in the field of autism with more than 25 years of experience, and his research collaborator Dr. Michael R. Mayton, B.C.B.A, to create a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity for Cleveland parents, teachers and practitioners who are looking for effective interventions to benefit their students, clients and loved ones.
The conference, Autism: Linking Research To Effective Intervention Practices, will be held on Sat. 2/6 from 9AM - 4PM at the Cleveland State University Cole Center, 3100 Chester Avenue. Registration must be received by Fri. 1/29. For more information, click here. The conference is being coordinated collaboratively by the Cleveland State University College of Education and Human Services, the Center for Excellence in 21st Century Health Professions and the Council for Exceptional Children, Student Chapter 863. Dr. Menendez is the faculty advisor to the chapter. The program takes a unique approach to Autism education. "I think the unique component is that we have a team of presenters supported by a panel of teachers and practitioners who will talk about effective practices within their classrooms," says Menendez. "Both are of value." The presenters will focus on two specific intervention techniques: social stories and counttoons, while the panel presenters will be invited to share the interventions that they have implemented and found most helpful in working with individuals with autism. "Oftentimes at conferences you have presentations," says Menendez, "but you typically don't hear from panelists who are practicing. The content attendees will glean from these panel members is likely to be of equal or greater value than the conference presentations."
Part of their unique approach is their focus on practical application. "The goal is to provide tools for one's toolbox or to sharpen their saws." Who should attend this conference? While the conference may attract many practitioners and special education teachers, Menendez wants to stress that this conference is also for parents and general education teachers. "Some students with Autism may spend the majority of their school day with general education peers," says Menendez. Teachers who work with these students may not often have a chance to focus on learning classroom accommodations and supports; this conference is the perfect opportunity!
This one-day event will offer attendees much on-site education and much to take away. "Attendees will receive detailed instructions in the use of two effective interventions that are very applicable to family and classroom use," says Menendez. "Participants will also receive a resource CD that contains information related to the interventions presented by each of the panel members." The conference planner's hope is that those who attend will be ready and able to implement these intervention practices immediately after the conference.
Especially important to Menendez is encouraging parents to attend. Far from a conference that only appeals to academics, this one-day event has something special to offer parents. "Parents will benefit from the detailed instruction on social stories and counttoons," says Menendez. "For a lot of parents this may be new information and we want them to leave with enough information to implement these interventions and to cater them to their family member with autism."
"I would say our focus has always been on identifying and disseminating information that relates to effective practice," says Menendez. "Practitioners and parents are looking for answers - they're looking for effective interventions."
Menendez and his colleagues are certainly making headway with this goal, by providing this wonderful conference to the residents, teachers, parents and practitioners in Northeast Ohio.
Autism: Linking Research to Effective Intervention Practices is being held on Sat. 2/6 from 9AM - 4PM in the CSU Cole Center at 3100 Chester Avenue. Registration must be received by Fri 1/29. For more information, click here: http://www.csuohio.edu/news/releases/2010/01/14763.html. Cleveland State University offers a number of courses that deal specifically with Autism. Fore more information about the Department of Teacher Education at Cleveland State, visit http://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/departments/te/se.
Also of interest is a benefit performance by award-winning kids musician Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players this Fri 1/29 at 6:30PM at Beachwood High School, with all proceeds to benefit families in NEO dealing with autism, sponsored by the National Autism Association- Northeast Ohio AutismNortheastOhio.org
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered! Cajigas holds degrees in Communication & Music from Cleveland State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at CSU. She is a professional freelance writer who occasionally writes in her blog in between gigs at http://www.inspiredfreelancer.com. Cajigas is also an avid musician and can be seen performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and as a violinist in the Allison Bencar band, http://www.myspace.com/allisonbencar.