TX Professionals committed to teaching children with autism to communicate

[Guest guest]

Texas Professionals Committed to Teaching Children with Autism to

Communicate

January 24, 2005 - Plano, Texas

What a way to kick off the New Year! The North Texas Autism Education

Center (NTAEC) and the Wayman Learning Center welcomed 225 parents and

professionals to their 3-day workshop at SMU last week. This workshop,

" Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Autism " was presented by

Vince Carbone, Ed.D, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), from New York.

Dr. Carbone's workshop is presented only a few times a year, all over the

world. This was the first time in 5 years he has presented it in North

Texas.

Over 150 Texas professionals were in attendance representing 5 Education

Service Centers (ESCs), 31 school districts, and 5 Early Childhood

Intervention (ECI) agencies. Similar professionals traveled from Arkansas,

Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and

Virginia to attend the workshop. The attendees gave an overwhelming

" Excellent " in their evaluations and hope to see Dr. Carbone present again

in Texas in the near future! Certified Teachers wrote " wish it was longer -

we have so much to learn " . And " we hope more professionals (particularly

administrators and special education directors who are not BCBAs yet) will

be able to attend the next workshop. " Several ESC professionals asked to

schedule similar training in their own region and are interested in becoming

BCBAs themselves. ECI professionals wrote " This approach (ABA with

Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior) makes a lot of sense. " Certified

Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Early Intervention Specialists

all expressed the same desire for our state to " look at this approach more

seriously. "

One of our goals at NTAEC is to increase autism and ABA awareness with our

elected officials. Last week they were busy with Inauguration activities

but still found time to welcome and thank our professionals for attending

this important training. U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions wrote " Your

presence at this workshop helps to ensure that the most fragile members of

our society are continually given the opportunity to become productive

members of society. Thank you for coming together to make a positive

difference for those who live with disabilities. " State Senator Florence

Shapiro wrote " We must use every resource available to offer all students

the highest quality education. Thank you for taking the time to assist the

children of Texas. " Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn wrote to the NTAEC

" I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to your fine organization

for your efforts to maximize the potential for autistic children across this

state and nation. "

A huge THANK YOU goes out to all our volunteers for working hard to make

this workshop a huge success. Thanks also to Autism Publications for

allowing our attendees to purchase the Sundberg and Partington books at a

10% discount. And last but not least thanks to Steph Hulshof, BCABA, for

assisting Dr. Carbone and answering the many questions from our attendees!

We look forward to hosting FREE follow-up workshops in Plano for both

parents and professionals. Announcements coming soon!

Kim

North Texas Autism Education Center

(469) 682-0350

www.ntaec.org <http://www.ntaec.org/>