Insight on Autism  
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In This Issue
Upcoming Trainings
Regional Conferences
Safety and Autism
Choosing a BCBA
School Spotlight
Autism Forces Parents to Adapt
New KATC Field Trainer
Quick Links
Upcoming Trainings
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Autism and Safety Webinar Series
 
Presented by:
 Heidi Cooley-Cook, KATC Family Field Trainer

This is a three part webinar series addressing a very common concern - Safety of Individuals with Autism. Each session will build on the previous, however attendance to all three is not required. In the first session, we will address general safety in the home. Next the topic of wandering will be discussed, followed by a presentation especially for First Responders.

All live webinars are scheduled to air from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.

Live webinars:

April 16, 2014
Wandering

May 21, 2014
Autism and First Responders

Registration Fee: FREE

Recorded webinar:

Safety in the Home
Recorded webinar now
available to view
on Youtube 
 
Regional Conferences KATC will be Attending

Please stop by our exhibit booth

April 25-26, 2014
Louisville, KY
The ARC of Kentucky 2014 Annual Conference

May 8-9, 2014
Lexington, KY 
KY School Boards Association 8th Annual Federal & State Law Update: Impact on Your School District Conference 

May 17, 2014
Erlanger, KY
Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services Mini Parent/Professional Conference

 

Diandre Glover Thomas, Editor

Kentucky Autism Training Center
University of Louisville Autism Center at Kosair Charities
1405 E. Burnett Ave.
Louisville, KY 40217 

[email protected]
(502)852-4631

Autism Awareness and Safety
SPRING 2014                                                           ISSUE #13
In this issue of Insight on Autism you we will address safety concerns with a webinar series about Autism and Safety and we will discuss Behavior Analysts and what you may want to consider when you choose one.  April is Autism Awareness month; however, we spread awareness about autism all year.  You can do the same through disseminating free resource brochures from our website and referring others to our free online training videos.
Safety and Autism Webinar Series
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Autism and First Responders webinar on May 21st

By Heidi Cooley-Cook

The National Autism Association reports that roughly 48% of individuals with ASD will attempt to elope from a safe environment. They go a step further and note that this is 4 times higher than their siblings who did not have autism. Along with eloping, wandering, drowning, fire safety, inability to communicate needs to First Responder and teaching fire safety are very common concern for parents, care givers and others who care for individuals with autism.   Article continued
Choosing a Behavior Analyst: Not All Clinicians are Created Equal
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By Christopher D. George, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

 

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board detailed that 'professionals in applied behavior analysis engage in the specific and comprehensive use of principles of learning, including operant and respondent conditioning, in order to address behavioral needs of widely varying individuals in diverse settings.'  The federal government recently determined applied behavior analysis to be a 'medically necessary' treatment for children diagnosed with autism.  Choosing a behavior analyst may be one of the most important decisions your family makes in finding services for your child.  A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) ensures a level of clinical competency, but just because a clinician is Board Certified does not mean that they will be a good match for your child and family. Learn more about how to choose the right match for you.  Article continued.

Our Work in Schools
North Middle School Staff

 

Spotlight on: North Middle, Pride and Rockfield Elementary Schools

 

By Laura Ferguson, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

 

During the 2008-2009 school year, the training site project began in Jefferson County Schools under the guidance and partnership with the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum.  The following year the KATC began to expand the project into other areas of the state.  This year the KATC will be working in all of the special education cooperatives throughout the state. Our work in the classroom involves monthly visits to support the local educational team in planning, implementing, and evaluating instruction. We work with the school team to select objectives and instructional plans for specified students as well as classrooms. Through the project our goal is to increase the school's capacity for serving children with autism spectrum disorders by supporting their implementation of research-based strategies. Article Continued

Autism Forces Parents to Adapt
Awareness encouraged as prevalence jumps 30 percent 
By Zirconia Alleyne, New Era community writer

Unfortunately, adapting to autism - a developmental disorder that
Ally, Jerry, Jasper and Ella Brooks
affects social skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavior - is becoming a reality for more and more parents every year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in March that 1 in 68 children has autism spectrum disorder, a 30 percent increase from two years ago when prevalence was 1 in 88.

The estimates are based on the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network's study of 8-year-olds living in 11 states, not including Kentucky. However, that doesn't mean the developmental disorder isn't growing locally as well. Article continued
KATC Welcomes Kimberly Howard
Kimberly Howard, New KATC Field Trainer
 
KATC would like to welcome our new Field Trainer, Kimberly Howard.  Kimberly graduated from Morehead State University with an undergraduate degree in Moderate to Severe Disabilities (P-12) and graduate degrees in Learning & Behavior Disorders (P-12) and Counseling.

 

During the past five years, Kimberly taught Fleming County's structured classroom which was a classroom for children with Autism or for children with autism like issues.  She was also a member of Fleming County's Autism Cadre and was assigned to work in her district with classroom teachers who had students with autism that needed additional support to be successful in the regular classroom. 

 

In the past, Kimberly has helped the district decide on a diagnosis of educational autism when needed. In addition, she spent two years developing structured unit classrooms in preschool, elementary and high school in Fleming and Menifee counties. 

 

In her current role at KATC, Kimberly will provide direct training and technical assistance to education staff in schools, social and community personnel, counselors, job coaches and families in the eastern region of Kentucky. 

The mission of the Kentucky Autism Training Center is to strengthen our state's systems of support for persons affected by autism by bridging research to practice and by providing training and resources to families and professionals. KATC is committed to improving the quality of life for those affected by ASD