PIQUA – The Diversity Committee at Edison State Community College invites the community to attend two special presentations for National Autism Awareness Month. The events will feature guest speakers from the Miami Valley Autism Coaching Team and Jason’s Connection.
The first presentation will be put on by the Miami Valley Autism Coaching Team (ACT), and includes guest speakers Susan Aebker, Lisa Combs, and Carol Dittoe. Their presentation titled “Understanding Autism” will explore many aspects of Autism and will conclude with an open question and answer session.
The ACT is a collaborative program of the Montgomery County Educational Service Center and the Miami Valley Regional Center, whose goal is to provide job-embedded professional development to build the capacity of educators to serve students with autism and low incidence disabilities. The team offers individual, class-wide, or building-wide coaching of school district personnel in evidence based practices for autism and low incidence disabilities.
The event will be held on Wednesday, April 20 from 1–3 p.m. in room 456 of the Piqua campus. Pizza and beverages will be available to those who attend.
The second presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 12:30–2 p.m. in room 503 of the Piqua campus and will feature Jason Harris, Founder of Jason’s Connections and the Saul Schottenstein Foundation. Harris’ interactive presentation titled, “Autism Advocacy: Broadening our Awareness and Understanding of the Whole Person,” will explore the hidden developmental disabilities associated with autism.
Jason’s Connection is a website that lists resources and allows people to rate, review, and recommend providers. Additionally, the site serves as an online magazine that shares stories of people with diverse abilities from around the world. His passion for exposing all that people with differences can do has led him to where he is today.
The Diversity Committee at Edison State Community College is committed to advancing the College’s academic mission and goals in the areas of diversity, equality, inclusion and human rights by leading efforts to define, assess, and cultivate diversity as both an institutional value and an academic priority.
Both Autism Awareness Month events are offered free of charge and those who attend will receive a free “Autism Speaks” bracelet. For more information, contact Marva Archibald by calling 937-778-7908 or by emailing [email protected].
