The Pilot Club of Great Bend is sponsoring a Strategies for Children with Autism at Home and in the Classroom Workshop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Barton Community College. Participants can meet and hear featured speaker Beth Aune, a pediatric occupational therapist from Palm Desert, Calif.
Aune has BS in Science and is a pediatric occupational therapist with extensive experience providing evaluation, intervention, consultation and care-giving/teacher training in Pediatric Therapy in clinical, school and home environment. She is an accomplished author.
She enjoys working with children with special needs in their natural settings at school and providing ongoing information, support and strategies for educators and para-educators. Her two best tips for parents and teachers are to celebrate the child’s special needs and recognize his/her unique talents and gifts, rather than hyper-focus on “fixing” him/her. She is the author of three books on autism: “Behavioral Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom,” “Behavioral Solutions in and Beyond the Inclusive Classroom,” and “Behavioral Solutions for the Home and Community.” Her books will also be available for sale at the workshop.
Aune will also participate in breakout sessions sharing information on “Creating an Optimal Learning Environment for Students to Support Behavioral and Sensory Challenges,” “Behavioral and Sensory Challenges – Practical Solutions and Strategies for Educators,” and “Behavioral and Sensory Challenges – Practical Solutions and Strategies for Parents and Caregivers,” said Ros Neeland, Pilot Club’s autism chair.
Other speakers
Pilot club will bring three additional professionals to enhance the workshop.
Jenni Halsted is a certified rhythmic movement consultant and course instructor who has worked in OT for 23 years. She specializes in reflex integration for individuals with autism, ADHD, and Downs syndrome.
Dr. Linda Heitzman-Powell, PhD, MPH, is director of community research and an assistant professor at UMKC. She directs a program to provide web-based approach and functional assessment strategies for parents and early childhood educators.
Melinda McDaniels, MS in Special Education Adaptive Curriculum is assistant special ed director for Hays USD 489. Her student-first approach has received state and national recognition.
The workshop supports Pilot International’s mission to help those with brain disorders and to improve the quality of life in our communities. The purpose of this workshop is to aid family members and professionals to cope with the challenges these children face and to decrease their stress and anxiety levels while improving their coping skills during educational and play activities. This workshop is actively supported by the Great Bend school board, members of Sunflower Early Education, and the Department of Children and Family Services.
The workshop is open to the public. Teachers and families associated with children with autism are encouraged to attend. Anyone can register and pay with a credit card on http://www.Eventbrite.com. Attendees can also pay at the door. The cost to attend is $75 for professionals and $25 for families, students and daycare providers. There are scholarships available for families and caregivers. Contact Betty Schneider, 785-342-5112. CEU’s are available for teachers, Social Workers, OT’s., PT’s., speech therapists and daycare providers. Graduate credit will be available to educators and other professionals from Baker University.
