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Classroom Highlight:
Jackson County EI/ECSE STAR Classroom
Medford, OR
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This winter, our classroom highlight is the Jackson Country EI/ECSE STAR Classroom in Medford, Oregon, which operates under Douglas ESD. Their autism classroom provides services to children ages 3 to 5, with a model that includes small class sizes, high staff-to-student ratios (their most supportive classes offer 1:1 support), and direct instruction. Class schedules range between 75 minutes and 2 hours, depending on student need; their curriculum includes a balance of direct instruction and opportunities for child choice offered in rotations, utilizing STAR program strategies and ABA principles to structure teaching.
Delores Rubino is the autism consultant for the program and has worked with Jackson EI/ECSE since September 2000. Over the years, she has worked hard to advocate for funds and resources for their autism classrooms, ensuring that the STAR program continues to be established in their high-needs classrooms, as well as designing classroom models to best serve the needs of their students with ASD (e.g., small class sizes, high staff ratios). Classroom teacher Darcy Van Duzer has worked for the agency for 22 years and has spent most of those years working with the autism population, including home visits, teaching, and training staff. Instructional assistants Monica and Trish have also been with the program for many years and are experienced in working with the STAR program. Delores also works with parents to share resources, including training opportunities, visuals to support positive behavior and functional routines, and any other helpful community resources. Darcy sends home a monthly newsletter to parents highlighting their curriculum and what students have been learning.
Delores also uses this program as a training opportunity for other educators in the agency. This year, she invited all teachers and instructional assistants into the classroom for three observational visits, and provided them with an observation guide focusing on crucial aspects of instruction, such as visual schedules, functional routines, and rotations. On the third visit, observers were encouraged to work directly with students. "I have an open door policy in the class and make sure all employees, including Infant Family Teachers and therapists, feel welcome to observe," says Delores. Commenting on the joy that students' progress brings her, she says, "I believe [the students] benefit from the consistent, predictable factors in our class and staff. Our team does a great job communicating and working together. We are all on the same page, and that makes a huge difference. I am so fortunate to be able to work with all of them." This program is also an OrPATS training site; if you are interested in visiting to see how this program implements STAR and evidence-based strategies, please contact the OrPATS team.
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Training for Oregon Child Care Providers
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OrPATS Child Care Provider Workshops
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OrPATS will be conducting workshops in each region of the state for child care providers. The workshops will be free of charge. The training will share practical methods for child care centers to use immediately with their children. Each center will receive a set of visual supports and a subscription to the STAR Media Center.
The workshops include lecture, demonstrations of specific methods, video examples and hands-on practice.
More information will be available on the OrPATS website soon.
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Research Report
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SPARKS Research Project
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The SPARKS research project is a nationwide data gathering and analysis study in which OHSU is one participant.They would like to collect data on all students with autism in Oregon. OHSU is asking us to let parents know more about this study. If possible, give parents the following information on how to participate in the SPARK research study:
"If your child has a professional diagnosis of autism, OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) invites you to learn more about SPARK, an online research study sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. The mission of SPARK is clear: speed up research and advance understanding of autism by creating the nation's largest autism study. Joining SPARK is simple - register online and provide a DNA sample via a saliva collection kit in the comfort of your own home. Register at
www.SPARKforAutism.org/OHSU. Together, we can help spark a better future for all individuals and families affected by autism."
Leigh A. Coppola,
Study Coordinator
Oregon Health & Science University
Department of Psychiatry
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Online General Education
Training Modules Available
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The OrPATS Project is able to provide access to school districts to a series of courses designed for General Education teachers to learn how to assist students with autism that are included in their classrooms. There are four modules for elementary teachers and another 4 modules for secondary teachers. The modules provide teachers with information and resources to assist students with ASD who are included in their classrooms. To obtain login information to view the modules or to request logins for general education teachers in your school district, click on the following link and complete the form provided.
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OrPATS News
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The OrPATS project was extremely busy doing 16 workshops across the state this fall! Thank you to all of the Regions for your collaboration to set up workshops across the state. Most the workshops were completely full and the participant evaluations show that they were well received. During our classroom observations this fall we have already seen staff implementing many of the evidence-based practices learned at the workshops.
For a complete list of upcoming workshops please visit the OrPATS website at
www.orpats.org. Don't forget sub reimbursement is available and a form can be accessed on the orpats.org website.
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Visit an OrPATS Training Site
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Educators are encouraged to schedule a visit to one of the many OrPATS Training sites throughout the state. To schedule a visitation go to the OrPATS website and review the map of Oregon for contact information for each of the training sites.
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OrPATS Webinars Available
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Participants who attend a workshop offered by OrPATS will receive a link to a follow-up webinar. Look for an e-mail with logon information after attending an OrPATS workshop.
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OHSU
Presentation by
Joel Arick
OrPATS Project Director
December 6, 2017
Portland, Oregon
Developing a Comprehensive Program
for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using Evidence-based Practices
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Dr. Arick presented to the Oregon Health Sciences University staff and invited guests. The presentation described the components of a comprehensive district-wide program for students with autism. Research on the evidenced-based practices for working with children with autism was a major component of his presentation. Implementing evidence-based instructional strategies can result in improved outcomes for students, increased communication with parents and job satisfaction for staff. Practical long-term solutions for implementing an effective program were presented. Information on staff training available in Oregon through the Oregon Program Autism Training Sites and Supports project and the Oregon Regional Programs was also shared.
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New Autism Consultant/Specialist Training
Next Workshop Feb. 12-13
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The OrPATS Project in collaboration with the Oregon Regional Programs and the Oregon Department of Education is offering a 2-part training (4 days total) for Autism Consultants/Specialists this school year.
Part 1 of training was held at Willamette ESD in Salem, Oregon on November 6 & 7, 2017. Forty-five participants attended from all 8 regions of the state and represented a variety of school based roles who support students with ASD, including; ASD Specialist/Consultants, Special Education Teachers, School Psychologists, Speech/Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists.
Part 1 was a two day workshop that focused on autism characteristics the Oregon eligibility procedures and Functional Communication.
The next workshop in this series, a two-day workshop, will focus on evidence-based practices, positive behavior supports, transition planning, visual su
pports and instructional coaching.
Forty-one participants are currently registered for the workshop at Willamette ESD on February 12 & 13, 2018. The training is open to any regional or district autism specialist/consultant or other staff involved in providing services to students with autism. To register for the workshop go to the OrPATS website and download the registration form.
This series is such a great opportunity for participants to share their knowledge and support of one another! Thank you to all who participate and present!
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Reimbursement Requests
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Remember to submit your substitute reimbursement request for an OrPATS workshop or training site visit. There is a limited amount of funds available on a first come first serve basis. Please
click here to download the substitute reimbursement request form.
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Contact Us
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Have a question?
Need more information?
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OrPATS Staff
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Director:
Joel Arick
Project Coordinators:
Brenda Hancock
Darby Lasley
NWRESD Administrative Support and Consultant:
Karen Shepherd
Consultants:
Alicia Schneider
Jennie Willis
Katherine Procter
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