Autism Experts

Ball State Hires Autism Expert To Train Student Teachers.

Reporting on the plight faced by parents of autistic children trying to ease their children's symptoms, the Indianapolis Star (5/9, McFeely) reports that "Ball State University, hoping to take a lead role in autism research and education, has hired a nationally known autism expert to help teachers, parents and service providers weed through the maze of dietary, medical and behavioral therapies. Susan Wilczynski is leaving her post as executive director of the National Autism Center to become Ball State's first Plassman Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education, focusing on autism." The piece notes that Wilczynski will be joining "a teachers college that churns out 450 teachers every year -- only about 45 of whom enter the workforce certified to work with children with autism."

Advocates Want All New Jersey Schools Equipped To Teach Autistic Students.

The Press of Atlantic City (5/9, D'Amico) reports that as the number of New Jersey students diagnosed with autism has grown in recent years, "so has the debate about how and where to best educate children with autism." Citing a drop in autistic students "sent to specialized schools" in the state, the Press adds, "While advocates and experts support keeping the children in their hometown districts, they say many schools are still not equipped to offer the specialized programs autistic children need to learn to interact with others. ... 'We want children to be included (in regular programs), but not if they won't benefit from it,' said Linda Meyer, executive director of AutismNJ."