OCALI Latest News - November 20, 2008

The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) and Autism Society of America (ASA) present the second annual Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs (NATTAP) Conference, November 19-21, 2008, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH. It is anticipated that 1,500-2,000 attendees, presenters, exhibitors and guests will participate in the 2008 NATTAP Conference. OCALI seeks a quotation for Audio-Visual (A/V) Equipment and Services and General Services Contractor (“Decorator”) for the 2008 NATTAP Conference.
[ Learn more about the 2008 NATTAP Conference ]

Free Autism Training Session for Public Health Workers
As part of the Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Program, a free autism training session for public health workers will be offered November 13-14, 2008 at the Jewish Community Center - 1125 College Avenue - Columbus, OH. Additionally, the organizers are seeking four children with autism to participate in a one-hour component of the training session. For more information, please contact Dan Farkas at dfarkas@ohioaap.org.

Transition Planning for High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: What is Required and What Works
Please note: Cleveland conference is closed
[ Download Conference Dates and Locations (PDF) ]
[ Download Registration Form (PDF) ]

OCALI Survey on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Transition to Community is Now Available!
Target group to complete survey:
- Family Members with individuals on the autism spectrum (ages 14 and older),
- Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ages 14 and older), and
- Professionals that support individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Transition to Community encompasses transition to employment, postsecondary education/training, and to community participation, including residential options, health care and financial management. Results of this survey will provide information to OCALI, Ohio Department of Education and other state agencies regarding the experiences of students with ASD in school, their activities after leaving school, and their ongoing needs for supports and services as an adult.
[ Begin the survey ]

OCALI / Nisonger Center Partnership
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) has partnered with The Ohio State University Nisonger Center to identify individuals on the Autism Spectrum to participate in a survey about successful employment outcomes. Nisonger Center is looking for individuals with ASD who have been successfully working in the community for 6 months or more and would be willing to be interviewed, as well as, share their stories with others. Interviews will be with the individual with ASD and/or their family representative. Interviews will be by phone and should take about 30 minutes to complete. If you are interested or have questions please contact Rachel Straus at straus.9@osu.edu or 614-292-4185.

Ohio's Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders is now online! Thank you to all those parents who devoted so much time and energy to this valuable resource.
[ Learn more about Ohio's Parent Guide to ASD ]

OCALI E-Newsletter - The Sphere
OCALI is pleased to announce the release of its new quarterly electronic newsletter The Sphere. The Sphere will connect you with news, information, events and people whose lives are touched by autism and low incidence.
[ Download the latest issue of The Sphere (PDF) ]
[ View The Sphere E-Newsletter Archive ]

Are you the parent or primary caregiver of a child with a disability? Would you like to contribute to research at Northwestern University on a new sibling survey?
[ Learn more ]

OCALI - ASHA - Continuing Education Activities
We are please to announce that the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence has been approved by the Continuing Education Board (CEB) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to offer continuing education(CE) activities for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence will be included on all published lists of ASHA approved CE Providers, including ASHA's Web site (www.asha.org) and on periodic lists published separately and sent on request to individuals. Providers' courses are also listed on ASHA's Web site. In addition, ASHA has launched the ASHA CE Course Search, a searchable database that lists all CE activities that are being offered by AHSA Approved CE Providers.

Nisonger Center accepting particpants for autism studies
Researchers at the Nisonger Center are currently accepting participants for several autism studies looking at sleep disturbance, behavioral problems, repetitive behaviors, and core symptoms of autism. For details on these opportunities, please visit http://psychmed.osu.edu.
[ View more articles in the OCALI News Archive ]