April is World Autism Month, an annual initiative to further autism education, acceptance and inclusion.
Pitch
World Autism Month arrives this year with a renewed sense of urgency after new data revealed that the prevalence of autism continues to rise.
In 2020, about 1 in 36 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age 8, according to data published last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is up from 1 in 44 children in 2018 and 1 in 150 children in 2000.
The findings highlight the ongoing need for increased research and resources to support individuals with autism and their families, as well as to better understand the causes of ASD.
Experts from Texas Tech University's Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research are available to discuss a variety of topics related to autism and the center's efforts to support the growing population of people with ASD, including:
- The Transition Academy, a non-residential program that assists people with ASD in transitioning to life after high school
- Connections for Academic Success and Employment (CASE), an innovative support program for college students with ASD pursuing an academic degree at Texas Tech or South Plains College
- The Mobile and Telehealth Outreach Clinic for Autism (M-TOCA), which provides clinical services such as diagnostic assessments and behavioral interventions across Texas
- The annual Burkhart Walk for Autism, a walk to honor the lives of people living with ASD, their families, and the professionals who work with them
Experts
Jennifer Hamrick, Burkhart Center director, M-TOCA director, board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, (806) 834-0054 or jennifer.hamrick@ttu.edu
- Areas of expertise:
- Training and supporting families and caregivers of children with ASD in underserved, rural communities in West Texas
- Applied behavior analysis
- Rural and telehealth service delivery
- Special education programming in large school districts, including best practices when working effectively with students with special needs in public education
Mary Kathryn Dillard, Transition Academy BCBA, (806) 834-1760 or mary.dillard@ttu.edu
- Areas of expertise:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Training and coaching families, caregivers and staff on strategies to assist their child/student in meeting their goals
- Helping individuals with ASD develop necessary job, social, independent-living and leadership skills to be successful in the workplace
- Providing support and feedback in the workplace setting for individuals with ASD who are actively seeking employment
Taylor Fidler, CASE program director, (806) 834-6002 or taylor.fidler@ttu.edu
- Areas of expertise:
- Assisting students with ASD and other related disabilities in navigating college, seeking internships and obtaining employment related to their field of choice
- Connecting students to college supports and resources
- Advocating for students with ASD through collaborative efforts on campus and in the community
- Helping students and families navigate the transition from high school to college
- Empowering students to reach their goals through increased self-advocacy and self-awareness