The number of children with autism in the United States continues to rise, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To help provide a better understanding of this disorder, Foundations Community Partnership is sponsoring a special program on autism featuring renowned expert Stephen Shore, Ed.D., author of several books on the subject, including “Understanding Autism for Dummies.” Foundations invites educators, counselors, parents, and mental health professionals to attend Dr. Shore’s workshop, “Evaluating Different Approaches for Supporting Children with Autism” on Tues., May 1, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Doylestown Health & Wellness Center in Warrington.

Previously, there has been no true comparison between educational-behavioral­-developmental approaches for working with children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Shore will describe Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, Daily Life Therapy, Miller Method, and DIR. Other methods such as RDI and SCERTS will also be discussed.

Dr. Shore is Assistant Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University. In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Dr. Shore presents and consults internationally on issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books “Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome”, “Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum” and the critically acclaimed “Understanding Autism for Dummies”. Dr. Shore has presented at the International Society for Autism Research, International Association of Special Education, Geneva Centre for Autism, Special Education Network in Asia, and the Autism Society of America, and his work has been published in Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Autism Asperger Digest, Autism Advocate and The Exceptional Parent.

If you have a child with Autism, work with children or adolescents with Autism, or are simply interested in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders topic, I expect that this workshop will “widen your horizon” on available treatment and education for this population.