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Technology Tools

Expand your teaching toolkit with technology tools. Find reviews of tech tools, gadgets and software that can be used in your classroom to complement and augment your curriculum.

Bringing Autism Education into the 21^st Century

Diagnosis of autism is on the rise (Newschaffer, Falb & Gurney, 2005). "There has been a true and significant increase in autism in the U.S." (Yazbak, 107). According to the US Department of Education Annual Reports to Congress, between 1992 and 2001, there was a 1,700% increase in autism in U.S. Schools, compared to a 30% increase in all other disabilities. Public schools are faced with the challenge of providing appropriate educational environments and accommodations to meet the demands of students with autism. Furthermore, mainstream classroom teachers are often unprepared to teach autistic students who are placed in their classes. Enter Virtual Expert Clinics, Inc.: AutismPro®, their latest product, brings autism education into the 21^st century through effective use of technology.

Autism Pro is a "customizable package of tools, content and programming" that can enhance the way autistic students are served by schools. A two-pronged solution, AutismPro focuses on teacher education and best practices as well as practical classroom applications.

AutismPro Workshops, a "web-based tool designed to provide professional development for general education teachers (Virtual Expert Clinics, Inc.)," provides educators with practical advice, real life case illustrations and video demonstrations. AutismPro Resources, online classroom tools including "access to thousands of lesson plans, strategies and behavioral supports, which can be used ... quickly and easily to complement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)" (Virtual Expert Clinics, Inc.), provides educators with tools to develop and implement intervention plans and instruction for autistic students.

Teachers and administrators can learn more about the programs, try sample workshops, view the course list and syllabus, and download sample activity plans and strategies at Autism Pro's web site.

Resources for teaching students with autism:

• Websites for Autistic Support Teachers
• Autism World: All about Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Tinsnips: A Special Education Resource
• NPR: Schools Strive to Meet Needs of Autistic Students

Sources

• Newschaffer, C. J., Falb, M. D. , & Gurney, J. G. (2005). National autism prevalence trends from United States special education data. Pediatrics. 115(3), 277-282.
• Virtual Expert Clinics, Inc. (2009, March 9). Virtual expert clinics launches AutismPro, a 21st century response to educating students with autism [Press release]. Retrieved from http://b2e.qeddata.com/story-2222-0.html
• Yazbak, F. E. (2003). Autism in the United States: A Perspective. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, 8 (4), 103-107.

Disclaimer: The Corporation for Educational Technology (Buddy) has no agenda other than the interests of K-12 educators. Technology product reviews render no financial incentive to our organization.

This article appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 2, number 7 newsletter and is published by the Buddy Project (Corporation for Educational Technology), in collaboration with the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC), Indiana Computer Educators (ICE), the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).