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Autism expert to host educational webinar, discuss iPad as treatment tool

Tina Vervoorn
April 08, 2011
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism affects on average one out of every 110 children. With diagnoses increasing tenfold over the past decade, the CDC now calls autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

Throughout April, National Autism Awareness Month, Aspiranet, one of California´s largest and most innovative social service agencies, hopes to educate the public about this growing health epidemic and to inform impacted families about strategies they can use to help maintain happy, stable households.

Sheri Reynolds, director of family-focused support programs at Aspiranet, will share her insights about autism.on April 23 in an online webinar from 10 -11:30 a.m. To enroll, visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/599456802. There is no cost to participate.

Webinar participants will be taught how to recognize and decode behaviors related to autism as well as learn about specific intervention techniques. The goal is to help individuals with autism increase self esteem and flexibility and to facilitate permanent and lasting change.

"Aspiranet advocates for the needs of individuals with autism and their families in the hopes of increasing understanding and acceptance of those afflicted and building brighter futures for those struggling with autism spectrum disorders," Reynolds said.

In addition to discussing the signs and symptoms of autism along with treatment strategies, Reynolds will also highlight the emergence of the iPad as a beneficial tool for individuals with autism. Some iPad applications are becoming widely recognized for their ability to foster communication and learning skills in people with communication challenges.

Reynolds cautions that while useful, the iPad is not an autism cure-all and can have draw backs if the device is used without thoughtfulness. The iPad´s true potential is realized when professionals, parents and individuals use the iPad as one component of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Aspiranet´s Family Focused Support Network (FFSN) provides intensive case management and in home behavioral services to assist families and children who are challenged by autism and other developmental disabilities. FFSN services are provided in Monterey, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Solano Counties and currently serve approximately 170 families. Aspiranet´s three-member FFSN team focuses on improving parent-child communications and building strong healthy family relationships. Rather than using a child-only approach, Aspiranet focuses on helping the entire family.


For additional information about Aspiranet and National Autism Awareness month, click here:

About Aspiranet

Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, supports foster children, siblings, families, and the community with 35 core programs offering specialized services through 44 satellite centers within California.

Founded 35 years ago as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children since its founding.

Aspiranet´s vision of bringing families together and helping foster children, siblings, and parents thrive is realized through six areas of expertise – Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Education, Afterschool programs, and Community Partnerships. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.

About Sheri Reynolds

Sheri Reynolds has been working in the field of mental health and developmental disabilities for the past fifteen years. Ms. Reynolds has been with Aspiranet since June, 2003 and is the current Director of the Family Focused Support Network of Programs.

Ms. Reynolds has a Bachelor´s of Arts in Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology and a Master´s of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. Ms. Reynolds also holds a California license in Marriage and Family Therapy.

About Autism

Autism, a complex brain disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, inhibits a person's ability to communicate, develop social relationships and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Boys are four times more likely to be affected than girls.

Autism is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum, the other two being Asperger´s Syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger´s syndrome are not met .
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Tina Vervoorn

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