Jan Hutinger

Speaker Bio:

With over thirty years of experience in education, Jan Hutinger is currently a supervisor in the Exceptional Student Education Department in Pasco County, Florida. Her primary responsibilities include programs for students with specific learning disabilities, instructional programs for elementary students pursuing a regular diploma and literacy instruction for students with disabilities. Jan is also a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida pursuing a degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Special Education. Her research interests include exploring the live experience of the special education teacher, implementation of research-based practices and instructional design to support inclusive practices.

Title:

Comprehension and Literacy for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Description:

This presentation will provide an overview of how reading comprehension is currently conceptualized, how characteristics of autism spectrum disorder affect the process of reading comprehension (e.g., theory of mind, executive functioning, central cohesion) and concludes with the identification of evidence-based instructional strategies that teachers can use to support reading comprehension instruction and literacy development.

Objectives:

1) Understand how reading comprehension is conceptualized

2) Explore characteristics of autism spectrum disorder that affect comprehension and literacy (e.g., theory of mind, executive functioning, and central cohesion)

3) Identify evidence-based instructional strategies that support reading comprehension and literacy