Autism/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions regarding the signs and symptoms of children with Autism from Birth-5 years. I have specialized knowledge regarding the importance of play to a child's development and how to help a child with Autism learn how to play. I also have experience in creating a wide variety of visual aids to help young children succeed and become more independent. I am an avid researcher and regularly create and disseminate informational brochures/pamphlets for parents of young children with Autism. I am familiar with the Early Intervention Program in New York.

Experience in the area

I hold a Master's Degree in Special Education as well as New York State Certification for Children with Disabilities from Birth-2nd grade. I have nine years of diverse experience working with children with Autism in preschools, daycares, and home settings. My area of expertise is in working with very young children with developmental disabilities. I have worked as a one-to-one aide for several children with Autism, an Autism Tutor for a child with Autism in elementary school, and currently work as a special education itinerant teacher specializing in working with children with Autism and their families. I have given several presentations regarding the importance of play as well as the particular challenges parents/caregivers face when teaching a toddler/preschool child with Autism to engage in meaningful, functional, play activities.

Education/Credentials

Master of Science Birth - 2nd grade Children with Disabilities

Awards and Honors

Excellence in Capstone Research from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. My capstone was a carefully crafted six-month case study whereby myself and a locally renowned doctor of child psychology created, led, and assessed the success of an integrated play group based on Pamela Wolfberg's Integrated Play Group Model (IPG). The IPG model stresses the importance of children with Autism experiencing regular, carefully structured activities using a variety of materials within a play group setting. The play group members consist of regularly developing peer mentors (expert players) and one child with Autism (novice player); the goal is to help the child with Autism learn how to function within a group of his peers and form friendships. The regularly developing peers in the play group are given specific, consistent instruction that helps them understand the unique needs and challenges children with Autism face in play settings.