Autism Education Center Continues Statewide Initiatives and Trainings

The Autism Education Center staff was very busy in the summer of 2009. They held two training institutes. One institute was provided by the National Professional Development Center (NPDC) partnership grant from the University of California-Davis MIND Institute to selected research sites START helped set up as model sites with the NPDC for two years. The second Summer Institute provided training and technical assistance for school teams to address self-injurious behaviors of a specific student.

The AEC’s primary work this summer was new program development. The START staff worked in each region of the state with districts to help define their needs and set goals. The START team reviewed proposals from regions and districts for funding resources targeted for local district training and other supportive services needed in the 2009-2010 school year.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the START Project is retaining and building on its Key Components/Activities to improve outcomes for student with Autism Spectrum Disorders, including a year-long Intensive Training at three major sites.

This training includes over 420 educators and parents and assists local school districts with capacity-building through targeted, district wide learning of effective practice content and system change essential to sustain improved outcomes for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As part of this year-long training, 125-150 new Trainers and 300 new Coaches will gain competency in key content areas related to supporting student with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Behavior Supports, Educational Strategies, and Peer Support.

START will also provide recourses and technical assistance to 18 lead sites called Regional Collaborative Networks (RCN). These networks encompass every county in the state of Michigan for the first time in START history. RCN sites provide the local infrastructure and leadership for implementing training such as ‘mini intensive trainings.’ RCN representatives are agents for collaboration, coordination and sharing learning across school districts, families and community partners.

In 2009-2010, START will host two Conference Days and two Leadership Days and produce 8-10 Resource Kits. Resource materials are developed by school professionals and disseminated statewide through the Web site, annual conferences, leadership meetings and summer institutes. This year’s national speakers are John Medina, author of Brain Rules, and Transition/Post High expert Paul Wehman.

For more information about the Autism Education Center, please visit their website: http://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter.

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