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Making a difference for children with autism
“ I would like to take my shoes off,” a young boy said to his teacher, as he pulled off his sneaker to reveal a bunched-up sock inside.
In any other classroom this kind of interaction would seem like no big deal. However, this situation was different. The child was autistic and had extensive language, social and behavioral needs. Unable to produce oral speech, he spoke through a speech output device, a touchscreen computer that produces words when certain icons are pressed. It was the first time that he had used the device to make this kind of request. In the past, such discomfort may have led to a behavioral outburst.
Instead, the interaction helped to validate hours of systematic work. He was now using language to communicate even subtle wants and needs. His teachers and parents were thrilled. In time, his parents would share that they were noticing similar strides at home. In short, it was a really big deal.
Scenarios like this are common in this autism support classroom, situated within a local school district and staffed by certified teachers who are also students in the Special Education & Applied Disability Studies graduate program at Mercyhurst University. Over the past few years, the classroom’ s faculty and staff have witnessed many major victories with their students. To outsiders and even some families, these victories often come as a surprise. But, because these educators have been extensively trained in best practices, they expect nothing less.
The classroom is one of few in Pennsylvania that began as a collaboration between local school districts and a university. It is also one of several supportive relationships among local schools and agencies and the graduate program at Mercyhurst, which is part of the Mercyhurst Institute for Applied Behavioral Studies. These cooperative relationships offer real-world experiences for graduate students in the program, as well as training and consultation for behavioral clinicians, teachers and therapists working for agencies and school districts.
The successes accomplished in the autism support classroom are directly related to the use of researchbased methods. However, few regional programs offer professionals the chance to obtain high-level training in these methods. In fact, Mercyhurst is the only program in the region that offers a certificate program in applied behavior analysis( ABA) and also the only one that offers an Autism Spectrum Disorder endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
As a result of Mercyhurst’ s unparalleled commitment to autism and applied behavior analysis, the graduate program in Special Education & Applied Disability Studies claims among its graduates many
of the most effective and sought-after behavior analysts, autism clinicians and educators in the region. Their commitment to evidence-based practice ensures that more children and families get to experience success. Armed with expertise and training, the program’ s graduates are truly making a difference. And, just like the little boy who can now communicate, that is a really big deal.
Thomas Kitchen, M. S., BCBA, is an assistant professor of special education and director of the certification programs in Applied Behavior Analysis
Special Education Graduate Programs
• Master of Science in Special Education & Applied Disability Studies
• Grad Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Autism Endorsement / Grad Certificate( PA Department of Education)
Learn more about these programs at mercyhurst. edu / special-education.
Special Education and Disability Studies
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