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VCU–ACE is pleased to announce that BACB® Type II continuing education credits are now available for eligible webcasts!  Check out the exciting summer series targeted for autism specialists, BCBA®s, and BcABA®s!   Beginning in June, several of our Technical Assistance Associates will highlight ways in which they are building capacity within their divisions.  Find information and links below on our featured webcasts!  Make sure you register individually for eligible webcasts using the registration link under BCBA® / BCaBA® Registration.

June 11, 2013
Increasing Administrative Support to Achieve Systems Change in Educational Setting for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Presenters: Noel Woolard, M.Ed, BCaBA, Holly Whittenburg, M.Ed, and Jessica Davis, M.Ed
 
July 9, 2013
Coaching that Leads to Change
Presenters: Teresa Lyons, M. Ed., BCBA and Cindy Bates, M.S., BCBA
 
August 13, 2013
Transition Planning for Students with ASD in Public Schools
Presenters: Adam Dreyfus, M. A., BCBA and Erin Smydra, M.Ed.

VCU-ACE VB-MAPP Team Training Reaches More than 40 Special Educators in Region 6 ...

On April 15th, twelve teams of special educators from divisions in region 6 came together at the William Ruffner Middle School Media Center in Roanoke City for an intensive day of training on the VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program).  The teams were made up of a division autism leader, a special education classroom teacher, and a speech language therapist.  Teams received specific information on how to administer the VB-MAPP with students with ASD.

Teresa Lyons, Technical Assistance Associate, and Taryn Goodwin, Training Associate, presented this workshop with the assistance of the division coaches from Botetourt County Schools.  The day was long but filled with lots of information.  Most importantly, teams gathered critical information relevant to supporting students with ASD in their divisions.  The training provided abundant opportunities for the division teams to work together as they learned to complete the assessment and develop goals for a sample student.  Teams have now been charged to return to divisions and begin the assessment on a target student with ASD.  Follow-up meetings will be held with the divisions in attendance on translating information from assessment into practice.  Feedback from the training was positive.   One participant noted, “Thanks so much!  This will positively impact students with ASD.  I am looking forward to using this and learning more about instructional strategies once we complete the assessment.”

Information on ACE Initiatives Shared in Richmond ...

VCU-ACE conducted a presentation on April 18th at the monthly meeting of the Richmond Autism Integration Network (RAIN). Region 1/8 Technical Assistance Associate Adam Dreyfus provided information on the history and mission of VCU-ACE and the imbedded technical assistance projects in local school divisions.  Parents, children diagnosed with autism, and their siblings were in attendance at the Waldorf School for this meeting.  During the discussion phase, parents shared their concerns about effective programming, respite care, and educating the legal system about issues concerning people diagnosed with autism.  RAIN’s vision is a community that engages and embraces individuals with autism by providing the foundation to build lasting relationships and lead fulfilled lives within the community.  Please visit the RAIN website for more information.

... and in Fredericksburg!

Becky Boswell, VCU-ACE Outreach Coordinator, was honored to attend the Fredericksburg Region Autism Action Group (FRAAG) Meeting on April 25th to share information about professional and family training opportunities and ACE resources.  She also shared information on the 3 State Goals on which VCU-ACE is currently working, and invited interested FRAAG members to participate on the Transition State Goal Committee.  For more information about the State Goals, please visit the VCU-ACE website.

VCU-ACE Participates in Capital One’s Autism Initiative!

VCU-ACE was proud to participate in Capital One's 2012 Autism Awareness Education Session on April 30th. While the event was based in Capital One's Richmond, VA headquarters, it was simulcast throughout their locations in the United States.  The Education Session, founded by parents of children diagnosed with autism, is designed, "to create deeper connection for the families through membership; to provide as much useful and helpful information as possible; and, in the spirit of Capital One, to give back to the communities where they are doing business."

VCU-ACE Technical Assistance Staff, Adam Dreyfus and Staci Carr were among the many presenters sharing information.   Topics ranged from Early Intervention, to college support programs, to how to support individuals diagnosed with autism in the workplace.   One of the highlights of the session was when students in the United Methodist Family Services shared about their experiences in the college support program, which included making great friends and successfully completing college courses.

VCU-ACE is sponsoring a series of workshops on autism and the transition to adulthood in April and May. The goal of the training, “Evidence-based Transition Practices for Secondary School Students with ASD,” is to increase the use of evidence-based practices for middle and high school students across VA and to align middle and high school curriculum with recommended transition curriculum.

The Target Audience for this training is:
-Special educators from middle and high school
-Community services board staff
-Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) staff
-Employment services organization staff
-Parents of transition age youth with ASD

Topics will include:
-Transition Needs of Youth with ASD and Person Centered Planning
-Evidence-Based Transition Practices
-Transition Curriculum and Assistive Technology
-Collaboration and Writing an IEP
-Transition to Work
-Action Plan Development for Community of Practice (COP)

The Training Dates and Locations are:
- April 11 - Northern Virginia;
- April 24 - North Shenandoah Valley
- April 30 - Central Virginia
- May 8 - Southwest Virginia
- May 13 - Tidewater

*Each training will run from 1-5 p.m. and will provide a certificate for 3 contact hours.
Registration for these trainings is free. For more information and to register, click here.

VCU-ACE is pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved Resources section on the VCU-ACE website. Throughout the new Resources section, you will find web links, guides, factsheets, agency information, trainings, videos, and research articles to help you support individuals with ASD. We now offer the following sections for the individual with ASD, family members, educators, providers, professionals, and community members: Autism Spectrum Disorder (What does it mean and where do I start?), Screening and Diagnosis, Evidence-Based Practices, Communication, Early Intervention, Families, Eligibility and the School-Aged Child, Adolescence, Adults, Technology, and Smartphone Technology.

We encourage you to explore and share the information on these Resource Pages and to contact us if you still have questions or need additional resources. You can reach us at autismcenter@vcu.edu and toll-free at 855-711-6987 . Please also investigate the opportunities for Professional Development that VCU-ACE offers, including webcasts, seminars, online courses, and live trainings. Many of these correspond to the Resource topics listed above. In addition, VCU-ACE has developed Factsheets and Briefs on numerous topics that may be helpful to individuals with ASD and those who support them. You can see the entire list and download and print the documents from the ACE website.

VCU-ACE is pleased to announce a special webcast on “Autism, Insurance, and ABA in Virginia.” On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, tune in from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to hear Christy Evanko present information and answer pressing questions on this important topic.

Here’s what we know -- After 10 years of advocacy effort, the Virginia Legislature passed a law mandating that insurance companies cover diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder including Applied Behavior Analysis.

But many questions still remain -- What is Applied Behavior Analysis? Who provides the services? How do I access the treatment for my child with autism?

This presentation will provide background on ABA and autism, the new law, and those who can provide the service. Tips for both parents and providers on accessing the insurance benefits will also be offered.

Christy Evanko lives outside of Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two daughters, and one son who has autism. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Christy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(R) with a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. She is a co-owner of Snowflakes ABA, LLC and works with children on the autistic spectrum using Applied Behavior Analysis. She also created a piano program called Piano Foundations for Children with Autism and writes inclusion books under the label, Good Friend Books.

Register now to view this webcast as it airs on March 26, 2013. This webcast, as with all VCU-ACE webcasts, will also be archived for viewing at a later date.