On April 15—the ides of Autism Awareness Month—Innovative Learning will be holding a conference at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. The event will address and inform families and the community of legislation that directly affects autistic members of society, primarily California’s amending of the Lanterman Developmental Disability Act.
The legislation, which was amended in July 2009 due to the state’s budget crisis, prohibits the 21 regional facilities from funding or providing any experimental treatments that haven’t been clinically or scientifically proven as effective.
The legislation will also demand that teachers who work with autistic children, regardless of the amount of experience, must obtain “Added Authorization in Autism” by July 2011.
The event will cost $100 with a registration before April 1, after which the price will increase by $20. However, the Santa Barbara Autism Society and Innovative Learning are trying to ensure that all who need to be at the event will be able to attend by supplying scholarships. The groups will also obtain a Spanish translator.
The conference will feature a panel of experts, including Anne Holmes, clinical director of Eden Autism Services; Dr. Doug Moes, director at STAR; Dr. Steve Graff, director of clinical services for Tri-Counties Regional Center; Dr. Gina Green, former president of the Association for Behavioral Analysis; Dr. Thomas McCool, president and CEO of Eden Autism Services; and Dr. Michele Britton Bass, special education director in the Santa Barbara High School District.
The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is located at 555 McMurray Way in Buellton. The schedule of events is available online at innovative-learning.com.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 1-8, 2010.