What’s going on with Autism at the Ventura County SELPA?

 

Autism Certification Program

We continue to receive submissions from candidates for our program. We have over 40 people who have been certified, and over 150 enrolled.  This programs requires the development of a training grid to be able to offer regular trainings in all the program Modules: Foundations, collaboration, methodology, behavior, communication, social and data collection.  Go to our website www.venturacountyselpa.com and click on "Autism" for a list of Upcoming Events.

 

Triton Academy

This SELPA/County Office of Education program, uniquely designed to meet the needs of learners with autism, continues to grow.  There are currently four classes, two for students who are diploma-bound and two for students who take CAPA.  There are no more than eight students per class.  The program offers a powerful team approach, with support from an on-site principal, full time speech-language pathologist, and half-time psychologist, behavior specialist and occupational therapist.  Several parents have described the program as "life altering" for their families. The SELPA is considering adding additional classes to respond to the needs. 

 

"Inclusion of Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities in General Education Settings" manual. 

This brand new manual was over four years in the development and was created by a team of professionals and parents.  It contains strategies for instructional and environmental accommodations as well as ideas for inclusion in community programs.  It is posted on our website (above) under "SELPA Resources A-Z."

 

Donna Williams

The SELPA hosted Donna Williams, world-famous person with a diagnosis of autism, for a one day conference in November.  She was so well received that plans are being made to bring her back in fall of 2008.  In addition, the SELPA is working on developing a program for special education teachers of students with autism to participate in a series of video teleconferences with her next school year.

 

Intensive Behavior Interventions (IBI) for Paraeducators working individually with young children with autism

We just completed this three part series for paraeducators this week, with over 20 people in attendance.

 

Strategies for Inclusion of Students with Autism in General Education settings

This brand new workshop is being offered on Feb 21 by Mary Loll and Lynn Dokken.  Lynn Dokken is the Inclusion Specialist for the Conejo Valley USD and is an expert on autism.

 

Carpe Diem

Our annual conference for people who work with and families of children with emotional disturbance will be March 6 and features a presentation on Aspergers by Darrel Priebe, a local school psychologist and parent of a child with autism.

 

Walking the Path Together

Our annual conference for parents and professionals working with children 0-5 will feature a presentation on ABA by Michelle Coulter and colleagues from the STAR NPA.

 

Annual Interagency Meeting

with SELPA and Regional Center was held in late November.  Ad hoc tasks forces were formed to address specific issues in these areas:  After school programs, IEP/IPP collaboration, school and "outside provider" collaboration, and transition issues. 

 

Annual "Part B meets C" meetings

The west meeting was held in Oxnard in mid-January and the east one will be in Thousand Oaks in mid-February.  These meetings are to discuss strategies for better collaboration for the transition from Early Start programs to the school district special education preschool programs.