3+DAY+GRADUATE+Practicum,+Jan+10,+11,+and+12

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 * The First Annual Autism Conference in Education **
 * Sponsored and Hosted by Awsaj Institute of Education, a Member of Qatar Foundation **
 * 3 Day Graduate Level Practicum- 1700 Qatari Riyals **
 * January 10th, 11th, and 12th (2012) **
 * Location: Aswaj Institute of Education, a Member of Qatar Foundation **
 * || **//Registration Deadline: December 16th, 2011//**  ||   ||
 * Practicum Registration Limited to 20 Participants!!!! **


 * //Faculty and Contact Information //**

Dr. Laurie Sperry lasperry@hotmail.com

Tri Le, M.Ed tri.k.m.le@gmail.com +974 66082273

The purpose of this graduate level practicum is to provide the learner with an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Speech and language therapists, nurses, occupational therapists, school counselors, general educators, and special educators are encouraged to attend. This course will prepare the learner to work with individuals with ASD by providing information about evidence- based practices and practical teaching strategies. Everyone is encouraged to first enroll in the 1.5 day training lecture.

This course will concentrate on addressing the impairments associated with a diagnosis of ASD/PDD, including the areas of communication, socialization and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Emphasis will be placed on writing meaningful, quality instructional plans. Specific instruction will be provided related to functional behavioral assessments and writing positive behavior support plans. Information on Augmentative and Alternative Communication strategies will also be presented. Empirically validated best practice approaches and teaching strategies will be shared with an emphasis on practical school, home and community implementation. Embedded in the content of the course will be developmentally and chronologically appropriate practices with an emphasis on critical skills.

Additionally, inclusion and working collaboratively with other professionals and families will be discussed throughout the course. There will be 12 hours of hands-on practicum included within the scope of this course during which time participants will work directly with students with ASD while receiving coaching and support from staff and faculty. The content focuses mainly on preschool and elementary aged students.

** Objectives: ** This course will prepare the learner to: 1) Structure learning environments to maximize outcomes for students with ASD 2) Modify teaching strategies to accommodate different learning styles, ability levels and interests of students with ASD. 3) Develop and implement behavioral programs. 4) Understand strategies that support families, strengthen their ability to assist their child and encourage family participation in the learning environment. 5) Implement proactive behavior and learning strategies that maintain supportive and inclusive learning environments. 6) Embed opportunities for social interaction into ongoing daily routines.

Biographical Sketch- Laurie Sperry, Ph.D.

Dr. Laurie Sperry was a classroom teacher for children with autism and related disabilities for 8 years. After leaving the classroom, she served as a state consultant for the Autism Division inSouth Carolina. She received her Ph.D. in Child Development and Family Studies and did postdoctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked with Division TEACCH for a number of years as a lead trainer, served on 2 diagnostic teams- young children and adolescents/adults, co-developed a play and social skills group for parents with young children who were newly diagnosed with autism and worked with the adult social skills group. She is a consulting editor for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and has published numerous articles and written a book chapter related to autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Sperry served as the State Director of Autism Services in Hawai`i where she co-wrote performance standards and practice guidelines for the state and assisted the state in transitioning from a medical model to an educational model in serving students with ASD. Dr. Sperry served as a co-principal investigator on a federal grant to support the professional development of people working with children with autism which was aimed at improving services and education and building regional capacity in school districts across the United States. She is a principal investigator on a longitudinal treatment outcome study and has taught graduate level classes in child development and autism spectrum disorders at a number of universities. She has participated in global outreach and provided services to families and agencies in Australia, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Saipan, Singapore and has developed a school for children with ASD in Bangalore, India. In 2006 she was added to the Fulbright Scholarship’s Senior Specialist Roster for Autism which allowed her to work in Australia with the AEIOU foundation for children with Autism and Griffith University in Brisbane. In July 2010, Dr. Sperry moved to Australia to work with AEIOU with the goal of establishing Early Intervention Centres and developing capacity in rural communities in Queensland.

Biographical Sketch - Tri Le, M.Ed

Mr. Tri Le began teaching children with autism and special needs in the state of Hawaii. He had the privilege to train under Dr. Laurie Sperry during the time that she lived in the Hawai`i. While completing his graduate studies in //counseling and guidance// at the University of Hawaii, he worked as a school counselor in both general education and special education. After joining the faculty of the University of Hawai` at the Center on Disability Studies, he edited one of the first training manuals to assist parents of children with disabilities living in Saipan. He presented at the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity in 2008 and 2009 on the subjects of disability mentorship and early childhood intervention. From 2009, he served as a classroom coach, parent consultant, and teacher trainer for children with special needs living in remote areas of Hawaii. It is his intention to bring Dr. Sperry’s expertise in the field of Autism to all committed educators living in Qatar and the surrounding GCC communities.