The Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project Kathy Gould, Project Director IATTAP Lombard State Office 1590 S Fairfield Ave., Lombard, IL Phone:

Autism Spectrum Disorders – Pervasive Developmental Disorders – Autism – Asperger’s Syndrome – Childhood Disintegrative Disorder – Rett’s Disorder – PDD-Not Otherwise Specified

Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Social Interaction Repetitive Activities Communication

Autism Spectrum Disorders Neuro-biological disorders Complex combination of developmental, behavioral and learning strengths and deficits Differences in language, attending, processing, cognitive, learning, social interaction, organization, prediction, regulation, fine or gross motor skills Visual processing often better than auditory processing Can co-occur with other disabilities Of 2,074,167 Illinois school children, 12,239 students are listed under the autism category 1 :150 are diagnosed under ASD ISBE 2007 Annual Report

Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Center ISTAC- Parent Positive Behavioral Intervention Support Network Project Choices The Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project

Project Goals Build local capacity to establish and implement effective educational supports and programming for children and youth with autism/PDD Promote a proactive approach to working with individuals with autism/PDD and their families Help children and youth with autism/PDD remain with their families in their home communities and become productive community members Increase the percentage of students on the autism spectrum who are educated in the general education classroom Increase effective and meaningful involvement of parents in their children’s education

Experiential Practicum Team Training Trainers: Educational professionals hired by IATTAP Teams of professionals from school districts Students with ASD

Integrating Strategies Across the Day Supports Needed During: – Direct Instructions – Independent Activity – Social Interaction – Restructured Peer Interaction

Visual Cues Individual Schedule Environmental Structure Communication Supports Task Organizer Activity Structure Waiting Structure/ Supports

Intern Participation *Extensive On-Line Training Course on Autism Partnership with Illinois State University’s Autism Spectrum Institute * Illinois Experiential Practicum Regional Resource Teams composed of school personnel and parents provide a week-long, hands-on experiential practicum for school teams. Coaching and networking are provided follow up services throughout the year

Intern Participation Focus Family Support and Technical Assistance Services Through the use of Positive Behavioral Supports with Person- centered planning, IAATAP focuses on an intensive family centered support team to work on goals in home, school, and community * I Pod Touch Illinois State University professors designed task analysis of various occupational duties and a means for students to check their daily schedules on Apple I Pod Touch instruments

Role & Work of Intern *Completed On-Line Autism class Member of Training staff Intern as Trainee Support Trainee (Assisted groups who needed additional support) Member of Family Focus Support Group Assisted with Planning of use of I Pod Touch for occupational use

Web quest and data entry to complete data base of supports for families: * hospitals *physicians *agencies *therapists Role & Work of Intern

Impact Impact on Others: Supported trainees in recognizing “fine points” of training Provided information to families and professionals Impact on Self: Realization of importance of sharing information about autism with others Critical need for persons with autism to be included in general population

Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project A LIFE LINE