Free autism training for parents and stakeholders

The Public School System Special Education Program is sponsoring free training for those who support people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Parents who have children with ASD at any age level are the primary audience for these training; however, all interested community members are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Laurie Sperry and Ron Faulkner will be returning from last year.

Dr. Sperry was previously the autism coordinator for the State of Hawaii Special Education Department. She currently works at the Professional Development in Autism Center at the University of Colorado-Denver.

Faulkner works with the Treatment and Education for Autistic and Other Related Communication Handicapped Children program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The TEACCH program was developed by UNC in the 1970s and continues to be an extremely effective method in working with people with ASD of all ages and skill levels and in all environments.

There will be three separate training sessions. Attendance is free. Feel free to participate in any or all sessions. All sessions will be located at the William S. Reyes Elementary School in Chalan Kanoa, Saipan.

Session 1 will be on June 4, 2005, 8am-12pm. This will be followed by a “Make It and Take It” session. Materials will be provided to enable participants to create their own instructional activities to work with their child at home. Participants are asked to note that ending time assumes trainers have been able to make all flight connections.

Session 2 will be on June 7, 2005, from 6pm to 8pm, while Session 3 will be on June 9, 2005, from 6pm to 8pm.

The evening presentations will focus on two separate areas. Faulkner will work with parents who have very young children (under age 5). Dr. Sperry will present issues related to adolescence, work skills, and continuing education.

Also invited to be present will be the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Center for Independent Living.

Contact Julie Sarich at 664-3975 at WSR Elementary if you have questions.

Childcare will be provided by Little Darlings Childcare and Respite Service in Susupe. Call Joann Aquino, director of Little Darlings, at 235-5437 to make arrangements prior to dropping off one’s child.

As for parents who may suspect that their child is autistic or has a developmental disability, they may bring their child for testing to the Children Developmental Assistance Center (for children under 3 years old) or call them at 664-4835; or to the PSS Special Education Department (over 3 years old) or call them at 664-3731.