Information, resources and research about work and disability issues
Find us on Facebook Virginia Department of Education & Virginia Commonwealth University Announce New Autism Center Partnership
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) recently announced the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorders. A collaborative venture of VDOE and VCU’s Schools of Education and Medicine, the center will serve as a focal point for research, professional development and technical assistance in implementing research-based effective practices and comprehensive services for students with autism. The center is funded through a start-up grant from VDOE.
“I am excited to be partnering with VCU in this important initiative," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright. “The work of the center is to provide tools to help schools prepare students with autism to learn, live and work independently in communities of their choice. Together VDOE and VCU are laying a foundation for significant improvements in the outcomes of students with autism."
One of the center’s first projects will be to assist VDOE in working with selected school divisions to expand their capacity to provide high-quality programming for students with autism. Participating school divisions will have access to board-certified behavior analysts who will provide technical assistance and training for teachers and paraprofessionals who work with students with autism.
The center will be developing a consortium of institutes of higher education that will provide coursework leading to board certification in behavioral analysis and opportunities to prepare teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and related service providers to more effectively work with students with autism.
"Applied Behavioral Analysis has been demonstrated repeatedly to be one of the most powerful forms of helping students with autism and other disorders on the autism spectrum, significantly improving their behavior and educational outcomes." said Dr. Paul Wehman, center director and professor of physical medicine.
Wehman, along with Drs. John Kregel, Carol Schall and Dawn Hendricks, will work with VDOE and other state agencies to improve the long-term supports and services required for the growing population of Virginian’s with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
JVR Article
Personal digital assistants as cognitive aids for high school students with autism: Results of a community-based trial
by Tony Gentry, Joseph Wallace, Connie Kvarfordt and Kathleen B. Lynch
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of personal digital assistants (PDAs) as task management tools in a sample of transition-age high school students with autism. Method: The group included twenty-two high school students selected from locales across the Commonwealth of Virginia, all of whom carry a diagnosis of autism and exhibit difficulties in performing everyday tasks due to cognitive-behavioral problems.
Participants were trained by an occupational therapist to use PDAs as task management tools and participants and their parents completed self-assessments of occupational performance (using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)) before training and eight weeks after training concluded.
At the post-assessment, PDAs were examined for recorded appointments and other entries, as evidence of participants’ usage, and participants were asked to demonstrate programming the PDA for reminder alarms and other functions, as a measure of their retention of training. Read this JVR Article
The Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation is published by IOS Press
VCU-RRTC Online Courses - CEUs & CRCs Available
Read testimonials from students who have taken our online courses
Ethical Issues and Decision Making for Rehabilitation Professionals Webcourse 10/4/10 - 11/15/10 - EARN 10 CRCs in ETHICS - This 6 week online course explores the professional ethics that guide rehabilitation professionals as they work with customers, individuals with disabilities and employers. The course uses the newly revised Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors developed by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) as the guiding source of the ethical framework for the profession. More information & Registration
Into Adulthood: Transition to Work for Individuals with Autism 10/4/10 - 11/15/10 - This course will provide the participant with an in-depth understanding of the concepts related to positive transition planning for youth with autism. The issues, challenges, and strategies that are involved with helping young people with autism participate to the fullest degree in society will be examined. Find out more & Register
Supported Employment Web-based Certificate Series (ACRE-certified) 1/31/11 - 4/25/11 - ACRE-certified* This online course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities. Topics include: Federal Policy and Overview Customer Profile; Marketing and Job Development; Job-Site Support; and Long Term Supports & Funding. Find out more & Register
Supported Competitive Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness (ACRE-certified) 1/31/11 - 4/25/11 - ACRE-certified* - This online course provides an extensive overview of supported competitive employment for individuals with mental illness. Sessions will include these topics: Overview and Values Base; Building Relationships with Business; Establishing a Career Direction; Locating Work Opportunities; Employment Support; and Funding & Other Topics. Find out more & Register
VCU-RRTC is funded by grant #H133B040011 with the US DOE - NIDRR.
VCU Project Empowerment 3rd Research Day - Fri, Oct 8, 2010 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at VCU, Siegal Center
The time has come for the 3rd Research Day for all students and faculty interested in VCU Project Empowerment: Improving Minority Research Capacity. Dr. Allen Lewis (Chair of VCU Rehabilitation Counseling Dept. and Principal Investigator of Project Empowerment) requests that this event be mandatory for those on an undergraduate and master's level and it is recommended for post-doctoral trainees and faculty members. This next research day will focus on steps to disseminate research findings. All those interested in attending should contact Dr. Kelli Williams Gary at williamsjonk@vcu.edu or by phone 804-827-0484 at earliest convenience to receive registration form for official RSVP. More information
VCU's Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering Announcement
VA Testing Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) Treatment for TBI
One of three studies to examine the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has begun at the Richmond Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) led by PM&R’s chair Dr. David Cifu who also serves as national director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program Office for the VA.
A recent study led by Dr. Paul Harch suggesting that (HBO2) treatment may aid in the healing of in patients with TBI has sparked interest in this area. VCU and VAMC are conducting a three-armed pilot trial that will examine the effect of 100% oxygen delivered at 1.5 and 2.0 atmospheres of pressure as compared with a sham treatment on TBI symptoms.
The study was also featured in an article in Clinical Neurology News. Read the full article.
VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (#H133B040011)
1314 West Main Street | P.O. Box 842011 | Richmond, Virginia 23284-2011
Phone: (804) 828-1851 | TTY: (804) 828-2494 | Fax: (804) 828-2193
The contents of this newsletter were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant # H133B040011. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.