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The ATF met
December 8, 2005:
- To begin to present what is known about the elements of effective
programs and services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, in
an effort to identify best practices;
- To begin to examine the education and training needs of
professionals in the educational setting who serve individuals with
autism spectrum disorders;
- To begin to identify efforts to strengthen community support for
individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Agenda
Presenters:
1. Lou Colwell, Ed.D
Representing the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Lou Colwell has been the Program Supervisor at OSPI since 1995. She earned
her Masters and Doctorate of Education from Seattle University and has
been involved in the education field since 1976, first as a teacher and
later as an administrator. In 1998 and 1999 she initiated a statewide task
force for OSPI to identify service gaps for children and youth with autism
spectrum disorders. The task force made several recommendations to the
Superintendent. As a result of the recommendations, the Autism Outreach
Project was established to provide support to school districts and
families of children with autism spectrum disorders through training,
technical assistance, and consultation. She continues to serve as the OSPI
liaison to the Autism Outreach Project. As part of her position
responsibilities at OSPI, she responds to inquiries from families, school
district personnel, and community service providers about autism and the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) 2004. Ms.
Colwell has a family member who experiences Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism
spectrum disorder.
Presentation
2. Monica Meyer
Representing an Education Services District
Monica Meyer has a vast range of experience and expertise providing
technical assistance, training and support for individuals with autism,
parents, providers, and teachers. She began her career in autism related
services as a result of her personal experience as a parent of a child
with autism and her capacity to seek and develop innovative approaches to
educating her son. Her son is now 21 years old. Monica has been integrally
involved in developing and promoting the ESD 112 Regional Autism
Consulting Cadre in Vancouver, Washington as well as working with the
Washington Initiative for Supported Employment in Battle Ground,
Washington. From 2003 to the present, her areas of focus have been
supported employment for transition students with autism,
self-determination, positive behavior supports, system navigation for
individuals with developmental disabilities, families and school
districts. She has served as an advisor and trainer on numerous boards,
projects, and community organizations.
Presentation
3. Felice Orlich (back-up for Geraldine Dawson)
Back-up representative for the Autism Center of Washington
Felice Orlich, Ph.D, oversees the clinical, professional training and
outreach programs of the University of Washington Autism Program. Dr.
Orlich has 13 years of clinical experience working with individuals with
disabilities and their families, and 10 years of experience working with
individuals with autism and their families. She has extensive experience
in neuropsychological assessment, diagnosis, school consultation, and
group/individualized treatment. She has a special interest and focus in
the area of teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Presentation
4. Dawn Sidell
Representing parents of individuals with autism
Dawn Sidell, RN, BSN, is founder and Executive Director of Northwest
Autism Center (NAC) and the parent of a school age son with autism. Dawn
formerly served as Consultant for Children with Special Health Care Needs
in the Spokane Regional Health District; as co-founder and task force
leader of the Autism Task Force in Spokane (2001-2003); and parent
consultant for her son with autism in an early intervention program
(1997-2000). She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops on
the topic of autism. Dawn is a licensed Registered Nurse, and worked for
many years in hospital settings. She brings extensive experience working
with families and providers of children with autism statewide, as well as
knowledge about concerns specific to autism in Eastern Washington.
Presentation
5. Carolyn Taylor
Representing the Autism Outreach Project
Carolyn Taylor has served, for the last two years, as the Project
Coordinator of the Autism Outreach Project, a project primarily funded
through OSPI. Carolyn has coordinated hundreds of workshops and trainings
on autism spectrum disorders attended by several thousand educators,
families, early intervention agencies, and other professionals. She has
worked to provide information and referrals on autism spectrum disorders
to Washington families, schools, early intervention specialists and
agencies to improve the education outcomes of individuals with autism
spectrum disorders ages birth to 21. Carolyn holds a Master’s of Science
degree in Systems Management and has worked as a Parent to Parent
Coordinator, Family Educator Partnership Coordinator, and a Family
Resource Coordinator Training Facilitator.
Presentation
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