Autism Panel Discussion Statistics
Campus Resources
Autism Training Center - http://www.marshall.edu/atc/
The mission of the West Virginia Autism Training Center is to provide support to individuals with autism spectrum disorders as they pursue a life of quality. The West Virginia Autism Training Center (WV ATC) was established in 1984 by the WV Legislature and housed at Marshall University. Services are available to families of West Virginians with autism spectrum disorders as well as their educators and others significant in their lives.
The College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder - https://www.marshall.edu/collegeprogram/
The College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder was established in 2002. Students participating in the program have met acceptance criteria for Marshall University and have been admitted to The College Program through a separate application process. The program uses a positive behavior support approach to assist participating students. Social, communication, academic, leisure and personal living skills are assessed through person-centered planning.
Allies Supporting Autism Spectrum Diversity - https://wvatcasasd.wixsite.com/allies
Allies Supporting Autism Spectrum Diversity is a program implemented by the West Virginia Autism Training Center and the College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The WV ATC’s Allies Supporting Autism Spectrum Diversity project works to inform and educate individuals or groups who wish to provide a safe and accepting environment for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our mission is to advocate for diversity and promote understanding in order to support and develop awareness.
Counselor in Residence - https://www.marshall.edu/housing/counselor-in-residence/
The Counselor In Residence (CIR) is a doctoral-track student from Marshall University’s Psy. D. program who has been selected to live on campus and provide psychological services to student residents. The Counselor In Residence offers Marshall housing residents with short-term, walk-in counseling during office hours, house calls, and crisis intervention with the goal of referring students to other, more established resources on campus.
With the rise of awareness and prevalence of mental health issues on college campuses, the goal of the Counselor In Residence position is to deliver counseling, psychoeducation, and outreach awareness inside the comfort of students’ own residence halls. By reducing the difficulty of accessing care, the CIR position hopes to foster positive mental health outcomes for the students it serves.
Community Resources
Autism Services Center - http://www.autismservicescenter.org/
Autism Services Center is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit agency providing quality services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, Mason, and Putnam counties in West Virginia. We presently serve approximately 250 individuals and employ a staff of almost 500.
State Resources
The Mountaineer Autism Project - http://mountaineerautismproject.org/
The Mountaineer Autism Project (MAP) is a nonprofit organization of parents of children with autism and professionals in the autism field. MAP’s goal is to have one voice in West Virginia dedicated to early autism detection, diagnosis, and early intensive behavioral intervention.
The West Virginia Guide to Accessing Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders - http://cedwvu.org/media/2502/2014-wv-guide-to-accessing-asd-services-february-2014.pdf
The purpose of this booklet is to help you get started acquiring resources available to you and your child and to gain a better understanding of the educational system in West Virginia. West Virginia Team Autism members recognize, through personal and/or professional experience, the challenges facing families as they learn their child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We know it can be overwhelming and frustrating to secure the supports and services your child needs. Our goal is to make sure every parent receives the support and guidance they need and that support and guidance are available right from the beginning.
National Resources
American Autism Association - https://www.myautism.org/
Providers of therapeutic, recreational, and educational services to enable individuals and families impacted by autism to foster positive development, personal empowerment, and independence.
Autism Action Partnership - https://autismaction.org/
Autism Action Partnership seeks to maximize their impact and increase inclusion for those on the autism spectrum through targeted grants and services.
Autism Society - https://www.autism-society.org/
Center for Disease Control: Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
Center for Disease Control: Autism Spectrum Disorder Links - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/links.html
National Autism Association - http://nationalautismassociation.org/
The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential.
Autism Awareness Panel Discussion: Finding Hope
April 4, 2019, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. DL 349
Panelists
John Barton: Co-founder of WV Autism, a support group for Autism families in West Virginia. He currently runs a Spectrum Gaming program which is a social gaming group for young people on the spectrum. Teacher, author, gamer, grant writer, and fierce advocate for autism families in West Virginia.
Hillary Adams, Ed.D.: Hillary Adams is a Student Support Specialist for The College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and a doctorate in Education with focus on Leadership. Ms. Adams has worked for The College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder since 2011. Her research on employer attitudes toward employees with ASD has led to her interest in developing transition skills for students with autism to find meaningful employment. Ms. Adams also has a passion for educating community members with best practices for the inclusion and support of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Catherine Goffreda Bailey, Ph.D., NCSP: Catherine Goffreda Bailey, Ph.D., NCSP, serves at the West Virginia Autism Training Center as a Licensed Psychologist and Autism Specialist. Dr. Bailey is also an Adjunct Professor for Marshall University’s School Psychology graduate program. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Ed. in School Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, as well as her B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University. Dr. Bailey’s previous work has been published in School Psychology Review, Psychology in the Schools, and The Physical Educator. Dr. Bailey’s professional interests include diagnostic and psychoeducational evaluations, co-occurring mental health conditions with ASD, and school-based behavioral consultation.
Phyllis White-Sellards: Phyllis White-Sellards, MU Libraries staff member for 30 years, currently has a son enrolled who falls on the autism spectrum her son is not enrolled in any of the Autism programs, finishing his 3rd Semester.
Zach Lewis: Zach Lewis is a recent Marshall University graduate, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Psychology in December of 2018. He currently resides in Lesage, WV and plans to stay in this area to pursue a career. Zach is interested in working in a library and volunteered at Morrow Library prior to graduating with his Bachelor’s degree. Zach is a friendly, energetic, and outgoing person who enjoys the company of others. He is an avid reader who enjoys subjects on sports, horror, sci-fi, history, politics, and music.
Dr. Elizabeth Niese: Dr. Elizabeth Niese is a mathematics professor, teaching courses at every level of the mathematics curriculum and researching topics in algebraic combinatorics. In addition to her teaching and research, she works as a mentor for the EDGE program, mentoring a cohort of students through their first two years at Marshall. As an EDGE mentor she meets regularly with students to help them learn to navigate academic and non-academic challenges.