UAlbany Hosts 7th Annual Conference on Effective Practices for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150, ([email protected])

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 5, 2008) -- The University at Albany's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD-Albany) is hosting its seventh annual conference, "Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Science and Practice of Effective Interventions," from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 7 at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center.

Dr. Ilene Schwartz, University of Washington, will offer the keynote presentation on implementing and evaluating effective services for students with autism in elementary school. Schwartz is currently the principal investigator for the Center for Professional Development in Autism, a federally funded project designed to train teams of professionals to deliver services to students with autism.

The conference, which targets school teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, community professionals and others, will also discuss how to develop systems of support for students with autism spectrum disorders and how to help adolescents with autism spectrum disorders gain self-knowledge, life skills and self-determination.

Senator Neil Breslin, 46th Senate District; Assemblyman Bob Reilly, 109th Assembly District; and UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip will offer welcoming remarks at the conference, sponsored by CARD-Albany through funding provided by the New York State Department of Education.

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University at Albany is a university-affiliated resource center that brings research and practice together in community settings. CARD-Albany provides evidence-based training and support to families and professionals and through ongoing research contributes knowledge to the field of autism spectrum disorders.