WORLDWIDE, April 11, 2011 ---- The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) today announced the extension of the Skills 4 America™ grant program to administrators worldwide in order to make universal access to effective autism treatment a reality. Skills 4 America began as a nationwide grant program to provide one-year scholarships for Skills, a breakthrough web-based program for assessing and designing treatment curricula for students with autism and other developmental disorders. CARD expects to award the Skills 4 America grant to every applicant who meets the minimum criteria.
To be eligible, schools:
- Must provide evidence of need
- Must be K-12
- Must be proficient in oral and written English
- Must complete a free, 30-minute Skills webinar
Administrators can apply for the 2011 Skills 4 America grant by first registering online at www.skills4america.com to attend a free, 30-minute Skills webinar. The webinar will be held on April 21 at 3:30 pm (EST). Following the webinar, attendees will receive a code and link to apply for the Skills 4 America grant.
“There are many schools around the world that have reached a critical point in addressing developmental disability needs,” says Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D, founder and executive director of CARD and co-creator of Skills.
“We are confident this grant program will not only address this concern, but also enhance our long-standing efforts to encourage and support educators and fellow practitioners who are working to help children with autism and related disorders reach their full potential.”
Dr Granpeesheh adds, “My initial intent in developing Skills was to empower both parents and educators. I wanted to provide the highest quality training, the most accurate assessment, and the most comprehensive curriculum for students with autism. Skills 4 America goes one step further by placing autism before profits. We believe that the future of a child with autism should not be dictated by whether or not their parents can afford the necessary tools the child needs to reach their full potential.”
Skills features:
- BCBA mentorship from BCBA clinical support staff (additional fees apply)
- Access to the most comprehensive assessment and curriculum in the world for students with autism
- Extras such as lesson plans, teaching guides, visual aids, worksheets, tracking forms, IEP goals and benchmarks, and access to online support
- The ability for teachers to track skill acquisition, at the operant and activity level, as well as the effects of challenging behavior and alternative treatments on each student’s progress
- Tracking of known and newly mastered skills, as well as progress-tracking charts
The Skills 4 America grant is administered through Autism Care and Treatment (ACT) Today!, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is to raise awareness as well as provide treatment services and support to help children with autism achieve their full potential. For more information about ACT Today!, visit www.act-today.org.
“Autism is an urgent matter not only in the US, but around the world, and it requires our attention,” says Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson, executive director of ACT Today!. “We can do something about it. We are proud to offer Skills 4 America in partnership with the world’s largest organization that is effectively treating children with autism.”
About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD):
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders is among the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. CARD operates 20 satellite offices throughout the United States and abroad and has treated tens of thousands of children around the world.
CARD is committed to scientific research as the most objective and reliable approach to evaluating treatment for autism. Our mission is to conduct empirical research on the assessment and treatment of autism and to disseminate our research findings and derived technology through publication and education of professionals and the public. While the primary focus of our research is ABA-based methods of assessment and treatment, our overall approach to research includes any topic that may yield information that could potentially improve the lives of individuals with autism. For more information about the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, visit: www.centerforautism.com.
For more information, contact: Daphne Plump, (661) 478-6512
