2008 SC Autism Society's Workshops

Developing Legally Correct and Educationally Appropriate IEPs: Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with ASDs and other significant disabilities. Topics addressed include defining ASD, differentiating instruction in the diverse classroom, encouraging literacy development, making the classroom comfortable for all learners and supporting behaviors and bodies of students with a range of needs.

This interactive presentation will focus on the importance of pushing beyond participation and inclusion, to asking schools to understand every student as a complex and capable learner.

Dr. Mitchell Yell is a professor in special education in the College of Education at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Prior to his tenure at USC, Dr. Yell was a special education teacher in Minnesota for 16 years. During this time, he taught in elementary, middle and secondary classrooms for students with mild mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders and autism. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1992. Dr. Yell has published over 60 journal articles, two textbooks (The Law and Special Education and No Child Left Behind, published by Merrill/Prentice Hall) and 12 book chapters. He has conducted numerous workshops on many aspects of special education law. He is also lead author of the forthcoming textbook Educating Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in General and Special Education Classrooms, also published by Merrill/Prentice Hall. Finally, he is working on The Special Education Resource Book: Developing and Implementing Legally Sound and Educationally Appropriate Special Education Programs, to be published by Sopris West.

Dr. Erik Drasgow is a professor of educational psychology at the USC. Dr. Drasgow is interested in research on functional assessment & positive behavior support plans, language & communication intervention for individuals with severe disabilities, special education law & deafness. Dr. Drasgow has published numerous articles & chapters. He has also made many presentations, workshops, and has consulted on topics such as conducting an functional behavioral assessment, behavior support plans, applied behavior analysis & more. Dr. Drasgow is a member of a variety of organizations. He has been involved with grant development since 1997, with his latest project being EXPERTS, South Carolina Department of Exceptional Students.

Space is Limited! Register early! Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other significant disabilities. Topics addressed include defining ASD, differentiating instruction in the diverse classroom, encouraging literacy development, making the classroom comfortable for all learners and supporting behaviors and bodies of students with a range of needs. This interactive presentation will focus on the importance of pushing beyond participation and inclusion to asking schools to understand every student as a complex and capable learner.

Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction and supporting students with autism and significant disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher & inclusion facilitator. She works with teachers in K-12 schools, pre-schools & early intervention programs. She also regularly works with family organizations and disability-rights and advocacy groups. She is the author of You’re Going to Love This Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom; the lead editor of Access to Academics: Critical Approaches to Inclusive Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy, and the co-author of four upcoming texts: A Land We Can Share: The Literate Lives of Students with Autism; Joyful Learning: Active and Collaborative Structures for the Inclusive Classroom; You’re Welcome: 30 Innovative Ideas for Inclusive Schools, & Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Support & Honor the Interests of Students with Autism.