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Square One is a two-day virtual instructional series for higher education professionals interested in launching a campus program or initiative to support autistic and other neurodivergent students.
Sessions will be held March 21st from 12 pm to 5 pm ET and March 22 12 pm to 2 pm ET.
Registration Deadline is March 15, 2024.
Autism support programs take many forms, from small initiatives located in a disability services office to a fully-staffed stand-alone program serving many students across campus. All of these programs have one thing in common: they began with an idea and a plan to implement that idea. This two day live instructional series is designed for campus-based professionals who are interested in launching a new program, or taking an existing program or initiative to a new level.
Dates and Times
- March 21st: 12 pm to 5 pm ET
- March 22nd: 12 pm to 2 pm ET
Agenda
Day One
- Presenters will assist participants in determining campus needs, setting goals, gaining buy-in, budgeting and financing options, and exploring different staffing models.
- After a short break, presenters will share insights on transitional programming, the role of parents, mentoring and coaching supports, and effective campus training.
Day Two
- Ensuring the success of the program, including information on gathering data to evaluate success, improving existing supports, and working towards continuous improvement.
- Day two will conclude with a Q&A session for participants.
Follow-Up
Participants will attend three one-hour follow-up sessions with the instructors and fellow participants for additional support and informative discussion. The schedule for these sessions, which will take place in May, June and July, will be shared at the conclusion of Square One.
Registration Costs
- CAN Members: $550 (additional CAN members from same school: $350)
- Non-CAN Members: $750 (additional participants from same school: $450)
Registration will open on January 22. Space is limited. Please check the CAN website on that date.
Additional Perks
Square One participants will receive a 20 percent discount following Square One if they purchase an institutional or small program membership with the College Autism Network (a $60 or $40 value, depending on membership), and a 20 percent discount to attend the College Autism Summit in October (an $80 value if registering at the full price).
About the Instructors
Jane Thierfeld Brown is former Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study, Yale Medical School, Director of College Autism Spectrum and retired Director of Student Services at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She has worked in Disability Services for over 40 years. She holds an Ed.D from Columbia University, Teachers College. Dr. Brown consults with many families, students, school districts and institutions of higher education. Dr. Brown has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS News and NPR. She has co- authored “ Student with Asperger’s: A Guide for College Professionals,” (2009) Translated into Japanese (2017,) “The Parent’s Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum,” (2012) and “Behavior Management and Self-Regulation,” (2012) along with many textbook chapters and articles. Dr. Brown is married and has three children, the youngest being a 31 year old son with Autism.
Amy Rutherford currently serves as the director of the Mosaic Program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Founded in 2008 the program currently serves approximately 60 autistic students annually. Amy co-authored The BASICS College Curriculum, a four-book series based on curriculum for autistic college students as they transition in to and out of college. She is a co-founder of Navigate U and a consultant with many universities and businesses where she specializes in creating Autism programming and neurodiversity hiring initiatives. She has participated in a variety of program evaluations, is proficient in project management and loves supporting study abroad possibilities for students. Her research focuses on autism and neurodiversity in higher education and mental health services, Universal Design and Leadership Studies. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor servicing the Chattanooga area through private practice. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Warrior Freedom Dogs, a non-profit that pairs service animals with combat veterans as they transition back to civilian life.
