Education Resources

Highlight on an ASCEND Professional: Making Real Connections

Camp Pegasus / Art of Friendship Social Skills

The Art of Friendship Social-Coping program and its sibling, Camp Pegasus, have been in constant development and evolution. In 2000, Mike Fogel was first introduced to - and became passionate about - treatment for children with Asperger's Syndrome (High Functioning Autism). To meet clients' unique needs, he integrated social skills lessons with group art therapy techniques, a unique reward system, real-time social coaching, and parent training.

Mike's vision is to develop a "social-coping skills community" of children, teens, educators, and parents. Neuro-diverse children and teens experience year-round opportunities to make meaningful friendships, learn new social-coping skills, overcome challenges, and gain confidence in their self-determination. Parents are a part of this social-coping community as well, through individual and group educational opportunities and support groups.

For more detailed information about the Art of Friendship and Camp Pegasus, click here.

To contact the Art of Friendship Social-Coping Program and Camp Pegasus, call (610) 649-1080, or email [email protected]. For additional information about the programs, please visit www.ArtOfFriendshipSocialSkills.com and www.CampPegasus.com.

Attention ASCEND Members:

One of the benefits of being an ASCEND member is the ability to access recordings of our recent informative sessions regarding employent and individuals on the autism spectrum:

Choosing the Right Job or Career: Tips for Individuals on the Spectrum and Their Parents

SAP: Autism at Work: The groundbreaking Autism at Work program

To view/listen to these recordings, login and click the Member Landing Page in the top right corner. If you have forgotten your username/password, please let us know.

In the Media

How Medicaid Became a Go-To Fundraiser for Schools
From https://www.disabilityscoop.com by Anna Gorman and Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News
OAKLAND, Calif. - Gerardo Alejandrez used to punch classmates, throw chairs and curse at his teachers, conduct that forced him to switch from school to school. "I had a lot of anger issues," the 16-year-old said recently.

Then Gerardo entered a class at Oakland Technical High School for students who have mental health or behavior issues. In that classroom, the teacher gets support from Erich Roberts, a psychiatric social worker assigned to the group. Oakland Unified School District bills Medicaid, the nation's insurance program for low-income residents, for Roberts' services.

Pilot Launched to Help Students with Intellectual Disabilities Attend College & Prepare for Employment
WCU news

Getting accepted into college and having a "college experience" is a rite of passage for many young people in our society. A group that has traditionally not been able to have this experience is young adults with intellectual disabilities. While a typical college degree may be out of their reach for many, the ability to learn, interact, and engage in college experiences is not. The participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities in college programs can benefit not only those with a disability, but their same age peers who are in traditional degree-seeking programs. West Chester University is looking to provide that opportunity through The RAM (Real Achievement Matters) Initiative, a new pilot program that will begin to accept qualified students to start their college experience in Fall 2018.

For Adults With Autism, Specialized Therapy May Boost Employment Odds
By: Shaun Heasley for Wiley Online Library

New research suggests that a type of therapy relying on computer-based exercises and small group sessions can yield big gains for adults with autism, potentially increasing employability.

The approach known as cognitive enhancement therapy helped those on the spectrum increase their attention and process information more quickly, according to findings.

Education Resources

Local, regional and national education information

ADVOCACY SITES

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & SCHOOL SITES

REGIONAL/STATE EDUCATION & SCHOOL SITES

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR LINKS

RIGHT TO EDUCATION TASK FORCES

State and Local Task Forces include parents and professionals who can offer assistance to families with questions about services for students with special needs. The Task Forces exist to help families and school districts work together to ensure the integrity and delivery of special education services to eligible students.

Connect Information Service: 1-800-692-7288

A statewide, telephone helpline provides parents, educators and professionals with information on early intervention, special education, child development and family/social concerns.

Special Education Consult Line: 1-800-879-2301

A service of the PDE; help for families and advocates of children with special needs about school-related concerns, special education regulations, and the complaint system.

OAR’s Kit for Kids Peer Education Resource

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) recently made two additions to its popular autism resources. The Kit for Kids set of student activity workbooks and an animated web video is designed to teach elementary and middle school students about their peers with autism. It is centered around an illustrated, booklet called, “What’s up with Nick?” and a three-minute web video that uses cartoon animation, sound, and color to capture children’s attention, yet still offers accurate autism information using language they can understand. It’s a great way to start a classroom dialogue about autism and accepting differences.

ASCEND member develops an app that turns an IEP into a 1-page profile

The 5 Min of Fun iProfile™ app is an easy to use, menu-driven app developed by a mom to turn an IEP into a 1-page profile to share with teachers, therapists and community supports; motivate kids to participate in their IEP meetings and to advocate for themselves; and coach parents/caregivers, both experienced and new, to the IEP process

Legal Disclaimer: ASCEND maintains the Professional Services Resource Directory as a service to families and professionals as a reference tool. ASCEND does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the abilities of those listed. The resources listed on this page are not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource or as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any organization, product or professional. Users are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource associated with diagnosis or treatment of autism, or the provision of services related to autism.

ASCEND Group Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not endorse any specific professional or therapeutic treatment. We are not meant to be a replacement for medical or legal advice. Our mission is to raise public awareness about Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, to advocate for improved education and services, and to provide support and information to the Asperger and autism community. This web site is for informational purposes only. Any link or mention on our web site should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. If you have questions about Autism or Asperger Syndrome, please consult with a qualified medical professional.

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Highlight on an ASCEND Professional: Making Real Connections

Camp Pegasus / Art of Friendship Social Skills

Attention ASCEND Members:

In the Media

Education Resources

Local, regional and national education information

ADVOCACY SITES

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & SCHOOL SITES

REGIONAL/STATE EDUCATION & SCHOOL SITES

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR LINKS

RIGHT TO EDUCATION TASK FORCES

Connect Information Service: 1-800-692-7288

Special Education Consult Line: 1-800-879-2301

OAR’s Kit for Kids Peer Education Resource

ASCEND member develops an app that turns an IEP into a 1-page profile