Great Professional Development Event!

Professional Development Event

  

  

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Transitioning Individuals with ASD to Postsecondary Education and Employment

  

August 29th from 10 AM to 3 PM Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, IL. The Autism Training & Technical Assistance (ATTA) project at the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Supportwill bring together a group of leading professionals with expertise in preparation and recruitment of individuals with autism for the workplace and their career and educational advancement. The day will also include a panel discussion from postsecondary education partners  to share their work specific to individuals with ASD in the college setting and its connection to employment. ATTA seeks to develop and present resources that assist individuals with ASD in their transition from secondary education to postsecondary education or employment. ATTA also seeks to provide training and support to important stakeholders as they work to provide an equitable experience for individuals with autism. The event will feature John Elder Robison. Our objectives are to: Build a community focused on issues related to the preparation and employment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Identify interventions to create an inclusive workplace. Develop next steps to advance evidence-based practices to equitably include individuals with autism in the workplace. The event will take place on August 29th from 10 AM to 3 PMat the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, IL. Additional event details and registration information can be accessed here.

Special Populations Academy

Check out the archived presentations from Illinois community colleges at the Special Populations Academy on May 23. Adult Education might find these presentations helpful. Make sure to work closely with your Disabilities Office if you are housed at a community college.

https://icsps.illinoisstate.edu/2018/02/special-populations-academy/

Disability Employment Initiative - Round V Workshop

These two one-day workshops will be held to share the strategies employed and lessons learned by pilots sites engaged in the Disability Employment Initiative – Round 5. Local Workforce Innovation Areas and their partners, including special education providers, DRS, secondary and postsecondary education entities are encouraged to attend. Specific topics that will be addressed include the formation and use of Integrated Resource Teams, the development of process maps that identify partner roles in providing services to clients, and the Individual Career Development Plan – a career plan that meets the legal requirements of an Individualized Education Program Transition Plan for individuals with disabilities. Speakers from DEI V pilot sites, as well as national experts, will share their experiences and recommendations to address the needs of individuals with disabilities in gaining employment.

To register https://secure.touchnet.com/C20868_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1487&SINGLESTORE=true

Incorporating hands-on learning and technology into the same lesson

Thanks to Monica Waller of Lewis and Clark Community College for sharing the following lesson idea!

Recently I allowed students to use their cell phones to research paper airplanes and research the physics behind airplanes. Students were asked to build three distinctly different paper airplanes. Many do not know how to build them. I allowed them to use their phones to find instructions on building them. Since I have rarely allowed cell phone usage, they loved this. We did a scientific method exercise asking which plane will go the farthest and recorded the data. Afterwards, we discussed all aspect of the experiment and reported our results. The students were asked how does the plane fly? They researched using their phones and we discussed. Cell phones seem to be a worthwhile tool to use in a smaller classroom and one where all students have access to a phone or computer. 

Navigating Learning Disabilities and the Cost for Treatment

Here is a link to a resource you may want to check out. It covers assistance for children with learning disabilities, but I decided to share. Lots of good stats you may want to use when educating those in your adult ed program. I also know you may have a child for whom you are advocating. Hope you find it useful. If you have a favorite informative site, please share so others can have access to it as well.

https://www.thesimpledollar.com/navigating-learning-disabilities-and-the-cost-for-treatment/

Happy Friday!

Become a Special Learning Needs Specialist

If you are an Illinois Adult Education instructor and have recently become a Standards Proficient instructor or are considering completing this training, please check out continuing on the professional pathways to become a Special Learning Needs Specialist. 

Listed below are listed the requirements for SLN Specialist. If you have already completed the Institute, you are very close to meeting all the SLN Specialist requirements! Feel free to contact Sarah Goldammer at sgoldam@siue.edu if you have questions or would like to talk through this process.

• Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists
• Application of CCR Innovations with a Special Learning Needs emphasis in analyzing resources to maximize teaching materials and revising a resource and curriculum to meet learning needs of students (part of Institute)
• Technology Resources for Special Learning Needs in the Adult Education Classroom
• Testing Accommodations and the GED®
• Sign up for SLN Blog
• Presenting an Effective Training Presentation

I hope you will continue the training for SLN Specialist and serve your program and students in this capacity.