The Autism Society of America has selected the West Virginia Autism Training Center and Marshall University’s Huntington campus as the site for its fall board of directors meeting, which will take place Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27.
“The board of directors is honored to convene this weekend at Marshall University, an institution highly regarded as a national leader supporting students with autism,” said Jim Ball, executive chairman of the Autism Society Board of Directors. “The Autism Society commends Marshall University on its many years of positive work, including supporting the society’s initiatives to make college more accessible for those on the spectrum. West Virginia also has special significance as the home state of Ruth Sullivan, the first president of the Autism Society, who has given so much of herself to the organization and its cause for the last 47 years.”
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. This is accomplished by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
“We are excited to welcome the Autism Society board of directors to Marshall University and honored to have been selected as the site for their fall meeting,” said Dr. Barbara Becker-Cottrill, executive director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center. “We will have the opportunity to provide the board with presentations about our work with families and educators of individuals with autism spectrum disorders throughout our state. We will also highlight our College Support Program for Students with Asperger Syndrome, which has become a national model for universities throughout the United States.”
The West Virginia Autism Training Center was established by the West Virginia Legislature in 1983 and housed at Marshall University. Since that time, the center has served more than 2,500 West Virginians with autism spectrum disorders and their families, educators and others significant in their lives. A variety of resources and services are offered statewide, including a direct service intervention model called Family Focus Positive Behavior Support. The mission of the center is to provide support to individuals with autism spectrum disorders as they pursue a life of quality.
The Autism Society board will meet at the West Virginia Autism Training Center conference in Old Main, room 315, at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. There will be a reception that Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the John Marshall Room at the Memorial Student Center. The board will continue its meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Shawkey Dining Room in the Memorial Student Center. The public is welcome, Becker said.
