April is Autism Awareness Month
Easter Seals Autism-Related Workshops & Training

[April 16, 2016]  LINCOLN - The CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, in its 2016 Community Report, show that the estimated number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains at 1 in 68. They state, “We urge those who work with or on behalf of children to join forces to ensure that all children with ASD are identified and connected to the services they need as early as possible.”

Autism generally appears during the first three years of life. It is a spectrum disorder which means it includes a large range of symptoms and behaviors. Typically, children display repetitive behaviors and difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and play activities.

The Autism Program at Easter Seals offers a variety of service options from highly-intensive and comprehensive to issue-focused consultation for children, families and regional schools. Approximately 40% of autism diagnoses in the state of Illinois are through the Easter Seals Autism Diagnostic Clinic.

During the month of April, Autism Awareness Month, Easter Seals will host a series of workshops and trainings designed for professionals, parents and community members who are interested in learning more about autism, diagnosis and intervention strategies. The list of workshops/trainings and descriptions can be found on the Easter Seals website at ci.easterseals.com.

Workshops and trainings include:

Autism 101– April 7 & April 9: Designed for professionals and families to learn about the fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Autism: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies - April 11: A review of the latest research on diagnostic practice and evidence-based treatment by Developmental Pediatrician, Dr. Janet Patterson.

BrainPaint: An Introduction and Demonstration of Neurotherapy - April 18: Presenters will explore the basics behind brain based treatment programming and will conduct a live demonstration utilizing BrainPaint, a program available at Easter Seals.

iPads: Technology and Communication - April 21: Participants will learn when and how to use an iPad to facilitate communication and learning in children with Autism.

LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) Training - April 22: Designed for professionals and families, LAMP is an augmentative alternative communication (AAC) approach designed to give a method of independently and spontaneously expressing themselves through a speech generating device. Presented by Teresa Parrill of The Center for AAC and Autism.

ADOS-2 Pre-Session Training - April 25: Required for all participants in ADOS-2 with no prior experience with administration of the tool. Basic principles of Autism Spectrum Disorders and administration of the ADOS-2 will be discussed.

ADOS-2 Training - April 26-27: Participants will learn how to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2. Administration and scoring for Modules 1 through 4 will be presented and discussed. Registrants who have no experience with ADOS administration, must attend the ADOS-2 Pre-Session.

Online registration is available at ci.easterseals.com. For additional information contact Jamie Hollis, Director of Programs and Administrative Services, at 309-686-1177.

For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals has been changing the way the world defines and views disabilities, making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. Easter Seals is the champion for abilities, opening new pathways to opportunities, so that every child can reach for and realize their full potential. They take a complete approach, working with the whole family to help children with disabilities, autism, developmental delays and other special needs reach new milestones each and every day.

Easter Seals is the most comprehensive provider of pediatric developmental services in the Central Illinois region, providing specialized therapies to help children communicate, improve their mobility, interact with others, and cope with differences.

[Laura Blackaby, Easter Seals]