PAC
Powhatan
Autism
Collaboration
Team
What we have done….
Team was formed in 2005
Members of team included:
Parent
Administrator
General Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Other
Members attended training sessions given by T-TAC and
developed goals for the team.
Team members agreed to meet monthly to plan
and share information
A “Needs Assessment” was developed and
delivered via e-mail to the entire staff of
Powhatan County. Results were analyzed and
used to set further goals for the team.
The School Board was introduced to members
of the team and a short presentation was
delivered at one of the regular School Board
meetings.
Awareness Training was developed with the
help of the “mentors” from VCU T-TAC.
The first presentation of the training was at a
Parent Resource Center workshop… and was a
success!!
More trainings followed at each one of the five
county schools—2 elementary, one middle,
one junior high and one high school.
Presentations were delivered to staff at faculty
meetings.
Handout packets were developed and given to
each staff member:
Packets included:
PAC flyer that included information about autism, team
members names and contact information;
Resource list of materials
Short articles..
Temple Grandin
10 Things Your Child with Autism Wants You to Know
Book Group for Parents—Collaborative effort
with Parent Resource Center
Observations and Collaboration with teachers
Purchase of materials for PAC resource library
Awareness Training for local YMCA staff
Participation in community activities to raise
awareness:
Spring Fling and Fall Festival
Gave literature to adults that included PAC flyer, ASC
brochure and PRC card
Talked with people who had questions about autism
Children made bead bracelets that included the colors in
the “autism puzzle” logo
Children also had the opportunity to explore and play
with “fidget toys, “goop” and other sensory activities. If
their parents agreed, the children were also able to take
home their own “goop” in provided Ziploc baggies.
Awarded money from team funds to a high
school computer teacher who has her students
design autism “fact” mini-posters that are
displayed during April (Autism Awareness
Month) to raise awareness at the high school
about autism.
Continue to recruit and train new team
members as members leave or rotate off the
team.
Future Planned Activities…
Offer awareness training to surrounding
counties
Offer awareness training to local day care and
child care facilities
Continue to attend trainings offered, using
team funds to pay for fees. Members who
attend trainings then bring the information
back to share with other members of the team.
Purchase and learn to use “video modeling”
software
Continue to purchase and expand PAC’s
library of books and materials
Continue to offer observation and
collaboration to staff
Continue to expand awareness in the
community
Continue to meet monthly and expand the
team’s knowledge base.
Questions…..
Thank you!!