Working with Children with Autism - What Caseworkers Need to Know
Program Description
This course for Child Welfare and Child Protective Services Staff helps participants:
- Learn the definitions and parameters of autism and other common developmental disabilities
- Better understand the factors which predispose young people with developmental disabilities to abuse and maltreatment
- Improve skills associated with knowing when to refer children for evaluation and assessment and to possess a general understanding of autism and other developmental disabilities
- Acquire helpful techniques and strategies necessary in working with parents of children with developmental disabilities
- Acquire information related to a variety of useful social, medical, and educational programs and resources related to autism and other developmental disabilities
This course has been approved to meet 2 hours of the required CPS In-Service.
Presenter
Dr. James S. Vacca is currently Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Special Education and Literacy in the School of Education at Long Island University, C. W. Post College in Brookville, Long Island, New York. He is also Director of the CASE Program, a Masters Degree program for graduate students specializing in teaching children with autism spectrum disorders. Prior to teaching at Long Island University, Dr. Vacca worked, for thirty five years, as a Teacher, Principal, Special Education Administrator, Guidance Director, Special Programs/Reading Director, and Director of Pupil Personnel Services in several school districts in New York State and on Long Island. For the past seven years, Dr. Vacca has served as Educational Consultant and Foster Child Advocate for the Department of Social Services in Suffolk County Long Island. He is currently a Special Education/Literacy Consultant to the Westbury, Hempstead, and New York City School Districts. Dr. Vacca is also a consultant to the Bronx Autism Charter School and AWIXA Charter School planning committees. Dr. Vacca has published articles dealing with the education of foster children, children with autism, and incarcerated children/adults in several education and social work academic journals. He has also recently presented at national, state, and local workshops and conferences related to special education, autism, foster children and literacy.
Program Length
1 hours 32 minutes
Registration for this course is handled through STARS. You must first have your SDC or Training Coordinator nominate you before you can access the materials.