Rethink Autism launches free webinar for parents and teachers of children with an ASD

By Staff Writer

According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, an estimated 637,000 children between the ages of 3 and 17 in the U.S. - or one in 91 - were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2007. This figure shows a 67 percent increase from 2002, when the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network estimated that one in 150 children were diagnosed with the disease.

In an effort to help parents of children who are affected by an ASD, the advocacy group Rethink Autism is launching a free online webinar called Key Components Of An Effective School-Based Autism Program. The initiative was designed to benefit school district leaders, teachers and parents.

The program will feature seven components that are necessary to autistic student education, as agreed on by researchers. It was launched in response to the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, which can be stressful for teachers and parents. Through the IEP, parents and school officials must advocate for what they belive is best for children with ASD, which can often cause conflict.

The webinar will be presented by Jamie Pagliaro - executive vice president at Rethink Autism and founding executive director of the New York Center for Autism Charter Schools - on February 2 and 8.