REGION 12 AUTISM CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES FOR CENTRAL TEXAS CHILDREN
Special Conference will take place June 18-20 in Waco
WACO, TEXAS-- As people tuned in to watch ABCs Extreme Makeover: HomeEdition on Feb. 18, they were introduced to the O’Donnell family of Austin, Texas, and given a glimpse of a family coping with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The O’Donnell’s have six children; five are diagnosed with some form of this disability. They are not alone.
According to government statistics, Texas has more than 11,940 school-age children currently enrolled in public education who have ASD, and that number is expected to grow annually. To address these academic needs, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 is presenting an Autism Conference June 18-20. The three-day event will be held at the Lee Lockwood Library located at 2801 Waco Dr., Waco, Texas.
“We know that all children are to be educated with their peers to the most appropriate extent possible. That means you start in the general education classroom,” Kris Ward, ESC 12 education specialist, said. “All teachers need to know the characteristics of autism and teaching strategies to effectively teach students with autism. (It’s) a spectrum disorder, and there are no two children with autism who are the same.”
ASD is a neurological disorder that impairs a child’s communication and social skills. It is a lifelong disability that affects their thoughts, perception and attention which can also cause sensory challenges. Cases can range from mild to severe.
Jeanette O’Donnell will be a guest speaker at the forum. She, along with Barry Eggleston, father of a child with autism, will provide participants with a parent’s perspective.
The symposium will kick-off with a full-day presentation by certified pediatric speech-language pathologist Marvie Ellis. She is the owner of a private clinic in Round Rock, Texas, Speech Kids, P.C., and the author of a literary series dealing with autism. Her first two volumes, Keisha’s Doors and Tacos Anyone?, have been published in English and Spanish.
Ellis will discuss the characteristics of autism and teaching children with ASD. The first 100 attendees will receive a free copy of her second book.
The remainder of the conference will consist of breakout sessions with various speakers and regional educators who will address issues at all grade levels from prekindergarten through college. Topics will include academic and behavioral issues, applied behavior analysis, differentiated instruction, nutrition and the transition from secondary to higher education.
Educators will receive 18 CEU and TSHA credits for the training.
They can register online at www.esc12.net. Onsite registration will be available on the first day of the conference. The course fee for teachers and administrators is $150. Parents who have a child diagnosed with ASD may attend the event for free by calling 254.297.1143.
REGISTER NOW
About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers throughout Texas, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 provides professional training and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students. Based in Waco, with offices in, Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, Nolanville and Teague, the ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties.
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