Conference on autism draws national experts

Local and national experts will discuss teaching strategies for children with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome at Grand Valley State University’s Statewide Autism and Training project (START) 2013 conference. The conference will be held April 22 in Lansing.

Erik Carter, associate professor in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, will give the keynote address on “Natural Support Strategies: Fostering Relationships and Community Connections for Transition-Age Students with Autism.” His research focuses on educational and transition services for adolescents with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities.

Grand Valley was designated by the Michigan Department of Education as the lead university in the development of resources and training for school personnel and parents of children with autism.

2013 START Conference
Monday, April 22
8:30-11:30 a.m. keynote speaker
12:30-3:30 p.m. breakout sessions
Lexington Lansing Hotel

Afternoon breakout sessions include discussions on technology in teaching, social skill strategies, and decision making for students with challenging behavior.

Grand Valley faculty participating in the conference include START project director Amy Matthews and START project faculty Jamie Owen-DeSchryver. Matthews and Owen-DeSchryver helped draft the new Michigan Autism Spectrum Disorders Plan last month, which addresses the needs of the 16,000 students with ASD in the state’s public school system and 50,000 individuals and their families living with ASD in Michigan.

Registration for the conference is closed but media is encouraged to attend. For details on conference sessions, visit www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter or call (616) 331-6480.