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System Change |
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East Coast Systems Change |
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After attending the annual CARD statewide conference, Martin County school district staff contacted CARD-USF to help identify and develop an appropriate educational program for young children with autism. "It was a priority for us to learn more about how to teach children with autism," said ESE coordinator Mary Ellen Quinn. "We were at a point where we were stumbling with system development so CARD gave us support and information to help us move along," CARD-USF staff members Mary Reed and Meme Eno-Hieneman began by meeting with individual families and the district staff to identify their goals and needs for the program. Then CARD-USF facilitated a joint meeting to develop points of consensus between what the parents wanted and what the school system was offering. As a result, elements of effective teaching strategies and educational support were identified, a training plan was developed and a district vision statement was created. The district decided to allocate considerable resources and offered a program at Jensen Beach Elementary school. An eight month training program for school staff and family members began in June at Jensen Beach with CARD-USF staff providing awareness training focusing on the characteristics and needs of children with autism. "What has really made this work is the fact that open, caring relationships developed and the strategies put in place were based on a needs assessment," said Meme. Throughout the planning process, local professionals and district personnel were identified so the program's ongoing needs will be met. Subsequent trainings will focus on various topics including functional assessment, enhancing communication, and curriculum adaptations. Meme will continue to provide consultation, on-site coaching with school staff, and family assistance in response to emerging needs. Other east coast school districts are currently implementing similar activities in collaboration with CARD-USF. "CARD has been very responsive to every request we've made," said Mary Ellen. "I feel really good about the changes that have occurred and think our students are going to make a lot of progress." |
