Public Schools and Autism

There may be no greater challenge facing public schools today than the staggering increase in children diagnosed with autism. Even though the law requires school districts to provide a free "appropriate" education to every student, school budgets are not growing nearly as rapidly as the number of children classified as having special needs. Parents are increasingly demanding more than basics; they want intensive, expensive services that offer the best chance to rescue their child from a lifetime of disability.

Experts disagree on the most effective approach to teaching children with autism, and many school districts cobble together a mishmash of methods that changes with each new fad, source of funding, special education director, or classroom teacher. Too often, good intentions collide with limited resources, and overloaded bureaucracies clash with parents driven by hope and anguish. The result is often a mess.

"The way we treat and educate children with autism is a national disgrace," says L. Vincent Strully, founder and CEO of the New England Center for Children, one of the oldest and largest private schools for autism in the United States.

To read more---http://www.edutopia.org/autism-school

BISD seeks Autism Expert for new program

Please read and pass on to others...Bainbridge Island School District is seeking an Autism Spectrum Expert to serve as the district's coordinator of the new ASD K-6 program that will be implemented this fall at Ordway, Wilkes, Blakely and Sakai.

Link to the job opening is:
http://www.bainbridge.wednet.edu/jobs/job.php?jobid=966

Meeting--NEW LOCATION

Wednesday 5/6 at Cafe Trios--at Harbor Square at 7 PM.

NEW MEETING LOCATION!

We are going to talk about ideas for summer fun; camps, play groups and childcare share, and current child related topics--bring your ideas and topic suggestions.

Hope to see you there!

Autism-In the news...

April is Autism Awareness Month--Here are some interesting stories by ABC News


Financial Challenges Among Autism's Costs
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=7229778&page=1

Talking in Color: Imaging Helps Social Skills
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=7223698

China's Autism Parents Walk Lonely Road for Help
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=7225002

Autism Awareness!

April is Autism Awareness month! In recognition, IAM will have an information table set up at Winslow Mall on Saturday, April 4th from 10-4 PM.

Stop by to learn about our current projects and advocacy efforts.

Information, T-Shirts, Balloons, Flowers, Bracelets...come by and say 'hello!'

Hope to see you there!

FREE Autism Screenings in April

This April the University of Washington Autism Center in Tacoma will be offering free, walk-in autism screenings to the community. UW will be offering the screenings April 7th and 21st from 9-11AM and April 14th and 28th from 3-5PM. Families will be served on a first-come/first-served basis.

These screenings are part of the UW Autism Center’s mission to increase knowledge and awareness about autism in the general public. Please keep this opportunity in mind when speaking with families concerned that their children are showing signs of an autism spectrum disorder or general developmental delay.

Contact:
Nathan Ketzner
Parent Resource Coordinator
UW Autism Center, Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Box 358455
Tacoma, WA 98402

Direct: 253-692-4759
Fax: 253-692-4718
Seattle website: http://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/
Tacoma website: http://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/Tacoma/

Margaret Meade said it best...

"Never doubt that a small committed group of individuals can change the world..indeed this is the only thing that ever has."