E. Weber, L. Rouisse, M. Athanasulis, and K. McCullough

Speaker Bios:

The panel consists of three teachers from Pinellas County Schools that have demonstrated consistent, exceptional teaching strategies for their students with an ASD as observed by their peers and supervision.  Kari McCullough is an Art Teacher at Paul B. Stephens School in Clearwater.  Maria Athanasulis is a Music Teacher at Ozona Elementary School in Palm Harbor.  Linda Rouisse is a Physical Education Teacher at New Heights Elementary School in St Petersburg. Ellie Weber is a school age consultant at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida.

Title:

How do we make Specials SPECIAL: a teacher panel of Art, PE, and Music strategies for students with ASD

Description:

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) display a "spectrum" of abilities and behaviors when participating in school "specials". This session will provide three brief presentations of teaching strategies and use of curriculum for students with ASD when engaged in Art, Music and Physical Education classes. The presenters are educators who specialize in the listed ancillary classes. The presenters will then be available as panel members to answer participant questions regarding how to make specials more successful both, behaviorally and academically for our students with ASD.

Objectives:

1) Identify the best strategic materials and equipment to use when constructing an activity in an ancillary class.

2) Identify curriculum resources to utilize when developing a lesson plan in an ancillary class.

3) Learn strategies to appropriately manage and respond to challenging behaviors within an ancillary classroom.