La Salle Initiative Supports
Families Affected by Autism
The Need Is Great
A new urgency to understand Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has emerged as nearly 1.5 million Americans struggle to live with the neurological disorder.
"The reality is that children with autism are everywhere, and not all educators have the skill set to work with them," said Frank Mosca, Chair of the Education Department.
"The question is, how can our program help families who have to deal with it?" she said.
La Salle's Answer
La Salle's answer is the LADDER Family Center, or La Salle Autism and Developmental Disabilities Education Resources. According to Tonrey, the pieces began to fall into place last summer with guidance from Joe Donovan, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications and an organizer of LADDER. "What we're doing is quite unique," she said. "Joe had a vision that we have the resources at La Salle to fundamentally contribute to a real need in our society to address autism."
The center fits seamlessly with La Salle's mission to offer a practical education that benefits society. By coordinating its resources, the University developed a Certificate in Autism through the Education Department, an interdisciplinary initiative to support those affected by autism, and a spring autism conference.
One Step at a Time
To launch the initiative, students and faculty united in support of Walk Now for Autism in September 2008. Education majors Terri Carberry and Nicole Polisano organized the effort, gathering more than 40 Lasallians who walked and collected $1,815 for last fall's Philadelphia walk.
Two Decades of Experience
Carole Patrylo, assistant professor of education, has focused on ASD through her work with special education for nearly 20 years. She proposed the 12-credit Certificate in Autism, which began this spring, to train current and future educators on how to work with child development issues and characteristics associated with autism.
Autism also is linked to other disciplines, according to Steve Downs, Director of the Graduate Programs in Education. The certificate program covers issues related to the fields of marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work, and speechlanguage- hearing science.
LeeAnn Cardaciatto, assistant professor of psychology and President of the Philadelphia Behavioral Therapy Association, coordinated an autism workshop on campus in February. Nearly 200 people attended the session led by Peter Doehring, Ph.D., Director of Regional Programs at the Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and former Delaware Autism Program Director.
An Issue of Advocacy
Autism is also an issue of advocacy, according to Bonnie Zetick, assistant professor of social work. Through the LADDER Family Center, she hopes future teachers understand the pivotal role they play in the lives of students with special needs and their families. "The growth of appropriate community-based research services for individuals with special needs has always been led by parents and loved ones—empowered and supported by each other and with self-advocates," she said.
Religious education plays an important role as well. According to Sister Roseanne McDougall, assistant professor of religion, the support of a religious organization creates a welcoming place for families affected by autism.
ASD Conference on Campus
On May 1, La Salle will host an academic conference with co-sponsor Green Tree Partnerships titled "ASD: Perspectives on Transitions." The conference is open to the public and will focus on transitions associated with ASD.
Through the LADDER Family Center, the University has rallied together and coordinated its resources in support of those affected by autism.