15 workshops have been scheduled to provide the tools & strategies to effectively educate learners on the autism spectrum.

Note: These workshops are being provided in response to results from the annual Autism Outreach Project Survey & Needs Assessment.

Through the use of videoconference, we provide training directly to your site.  Upon request, classes are available statewide to any location with access to K-20 videoconferencing.  Contact Patty Yates, or 1-888-704-9633, for information on participating by videoconference.

The first course offered this year, Introduction to Autism Spectrum

Disorders, will be presented on Thursday, October 8, 2009, 9am - 3 pm. 

With the dramatic increase in autism spectrum disorders, more children are being served in the general education classroom.  This workshop is designed for the special education teachers, general education teachers and paraprofessionals working with these children.  A detailed look into the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders will be provided, along with practical strategies for how to include these children into your elementary classroom.  Crystal Gray, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and specialist in autism spectrum disorders.  She is the executive director of Puget Sound Psychology & Consulting, where she provides diagnostic, assessment & treatment services.  She is the author of The Educational Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders manual and a researcher in responsiveness to treatment in students with autism spectrum disorders.  Crystal has taught hundreds of autism courses and is a dynamic and engaging instructor.  This course is available to K-20 locations statewide.

A Toolkit for Changing Behavior & Promoting Independence in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be presented on Friday, October 16, 2009, 9am - 3 pm.   (Early Childhood) This session will give you practical strategies for helping children with autism spectrum disorders participate more and depend on prompts20less.  Through video examples and discussion, you will find out the key skills students need for meaningful independence, how to give fewer (but better!) prompts, and tips on using paraprofessional time more effectively.  Dr. Margaret Brashers is a Special Education Consultant with Project DATA (Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism) at the Experimental Education Unit, University of Washington.  She consults on an individual basis with public school teachers, paraprofessionals and related services staff to improve educational programs for children with autism spectrum disorders and provides workshops on topics related to ASD.  In addition, Dr. Brashers is an instructor in the College of Education at the University of Washington.  This course is available to K-20 locations statewide. 

See the complete training schedule and registration information online at .

Autism Outreach Project
1601 R Avenue
Anacortes WA  98221
Toll Free 1-888-704-9633
Fax 360-299-4071
autism@nwesd.org