April is World Autism Month. Autism affects 1 in 91 children and 1 in 70 boys; prevalence figures are growing very fast in the territory. Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Virgin Islands Autism Network invite the public to the third annual conference on autism: "Education and Autism Spectrum Disorders.” It will take place 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19, at the UVI St. Thomas Campus Administration and Conference Center. It also will be held 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, at the UVI St. Croix Campus Great Hall. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Advance registration is required. Contact Gerri Hanna at [email protected] or 692-1919.
Welcoming remarks will be given by Gov. John P. deJongh Jr., first lady Cecile deJongh, UVI’s president, Dr. David Hall, and Commissioner of Education Dr. LaVerne Terry
The presenters will be Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D., who is a consultant with the Ziggurat Group and the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Chief Program Officer for the Autism Society of America. She is the recipient of the 2004 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award and has written numerous articles and books on Asperger Syndrome and Autism. Sheila M. Smith, Ph.D., who is the assistant director at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, coordinates the Autism Internet Modules project, working with experts in the field of autism spectrum disorder in the development of 60 online modules in partnership with national and international organizations. Smith has more than 25 years experience in the field of special education as a staff developer, administrator, and teacher.
Other speakers include Lisa Bass and Thomas M. Caffrey, M.Ed. Lisa Bass is a parent advocate, a mother of a child with autism and the parent coordinator on the V.I. Autism Network Board. Caffrey is a board certified behavior analyst,who specializes in developing evidence-based programs for children with autism. Using extensive video footage, Bass and Caffrey will partner to speak on parenting as well as teaching language and social skills to children with autism.
For more information on the Virgin Islands Autism Network and Parent Support Groups, contact [email protected] or call 626-3330 Gerri Hanna: [email protected] or 692-1919.
The events are co- sponsored by V.I. Association of Psychologists (CEUs offered (full day attendance required)