PACPACPPowhatanowhatanAAutism utism CCollaboration ollaboration TeamTeam

What we have done….What we have done….

Team was formed in 2005Team was formed in 2005 Members of team included:Members of team included:

ParentParent AdministratorAdministrator General Education TeacherGeneral Education Teacher Special Education TeacherSpecial Education Teacher OtherOther

Members attended training sessions given by T-TAC and Members attended training sessions given by T-TAC and developed goals for the team.developed goals for the team.

Team members agreed to meet monthly to Team members agreed to meet monthly to plan and share informationplan and share information

A “Needs Assessment” was developed and A “Needs Assessment” was developed and delivered via e-mail to the entire staff of delivered via e-mail to the entire staff of Powhatan County. Results were analyzed and Powhatan County. Results were analyzed and used to set further goals for the team.used to set further goals for the team.

The School Board was introduced to members The School Board was introduced to members of the team and a short presentation was of the team and a short presentation was delivered at one of the regular School Board delivered at one of the regular School Board meetings.meetings.

Awareness Training was developed with the Awareness Training was developed with the help of the “mentors” from VCU T-TAC.help of the “mentors” from VCU T-TAC.

The first presentation of the training was at a The first presentation of the training was at a Parent Resource Center workshop… and was a Parent Resource Center workshop… and was a success!!success!!

More trainings followed at each one of the five More trainings followed at each one of the five county schools—2 elementary, one middle, county schools—2 elementary, one middle, one junior high and one high school. one junior high and one high school. Presentations were delivered to staff at faculty Presentations were delivered to staff at faculty meetings.meetings.

Handout packets were developed and given to Handout packets were developed and given to each staff member: each staff member: Packets included:Packets included:

PAC flyer that included information about autism, team PAC flyer that included information about autism, team members names and contact information;members names and contact information;

Resource list of materials Resource list of materials Short articles..Short articles..

Temple GrandinTemple Grandin 10 Things Your Child with Autism Wants You to Know10 Things Your Child with Autism Wants You to Know

Book Group for Parents—Collaborative effort Book Group for Parents—Collaborative effort with Parent Resource Centerwith Parent Resource Center

Observations and Collaboration with teachersObservations and Collaboration with teachers

Purchase of materials for PAC resource libraryPurchase of materials for PAC resource library

Awareness Training for local YMCA staffAwareness Training for local YMCA staff

Participation in community activities to raise Participation in community activities to raise awareness:awareness: Spring Fling and Fall FestivalSpring Fling and Fall Festival

Gave literature to adults that included PAC flyer, ASC Gave literature to adults that included PAC flyer, ASC brochure and PRC cardbrochure and PRC card

Talked with people who had questions about autismTalked with people who had questions about autism Children made bead bracelets that included the colors in Children made bead bracelets that included the colors in

the “autism puzzle” logothe “autism puzzle” logo Children also had the opportunity to explore and play Children also had the opportunity to explore and play

with “fidget toys, “goop” and other sensory activities. If with “fidget toys, “goop” and other sensory activities. If their parents agreed, the children were also able to take their parents agreed, the children were also able to take home their own “goop” in provided Ziploc baggies. home their own “goop” in provided Ziploc baggies.

Awarded money from team funds to a high Awarded money from team funds to a high school computer teacher who has her students school computer teacher who has her students design autism “fact” mini-posters that are design autism “fact” mini-posters that are displayed during April (Autism Awareness displayed during April (Autism Awareness Month) to raise awareness at the high school Month) to raise awareness at the high school about autism.about autism.

Continue to recruit and train new team Continue to recruit and train new team members as members leave or rotate off the members as members leave or rotate off the team. team.

Future Planned Activities…Future Planned Activities…

Offer awareness training to surrounding Offer awareness training to surrounding countiescounties

Offer awareness training to local day care and Offer awareness training to local day care and child care facilitieschild care facilities

Continue to attend trainings offered, using Continue to attend trainings offered, using team funds to pay for fees. Members who team funds to pay for fees. Members who attend trainings then bring the information attend trainings then bring the information back to share with other members of the team.back to share with other members of the team.

Purchase and learn to use “video modeling” Purchase and learn to use “video modeling” software software

Continue to purchase and expand PAC’s Continue to purchase and expand PAC’s library of books and materialslibrary of books and materials

Continue to offer observation and Continue to offer observation and collaboration to staffcollaboration to staff

Continue to expand awareness in the Continue to expand awareness in the communitycommunity

Continue to meet monthly and expand the Continue to meet monthly and expand the team’s knowledge base.team’s knowledge base.

Questions…..Questions…..

Thank you!!Thank you!!