 Dr. Richard L. Simpson is Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He has also been a special education teacher, school psychologist, and coordinator of a community mental health outreach program. Other professional experiences include directing several University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical Center demonstration programs for students with autism spectrum disorders and coordinating numerous federal grant programs related to students with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities He has authored numerous books, articles, and tests on the topic of students with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Educators (2003) and the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (2001). Dr. Simpson was the senior editor of the professional journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities from 1995-2003. Awards include the Council for Exceptional Children Research Award, Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders Leadership Award, and Autism Society of Kansas Leadership Award. |
| Abstract: Children and youth with Asperger Syndrome have dramatically increased over the past decade. These individuals are significantly taxing the skills and resources of parents, school personnel, and other service providers, at least in part because of significant lack of understanding of the disorder and those strategies and methods that have proven most effective in producing desired outcomes. Related to their unique characteristics and needs, the success of individuals with Asperger Syndrome requires use of scientifically-based and specially designed methods. This session will focus on an analysis of issues and effective practices and strategies for educating, managing, and supporting learners with autism related disabilities, including identification, diagnostic, curricular, policy, and programmatic issues; management, structuring and support measures; academic and learning facilitation strategies; and social interaction and social skill enhancement methods. |