Campus Connection

Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate Program June 19-23 is an immersion into the world of ASD

The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Certificate Program, organized through UWL Continuing Education and Extension and Chileda, is an immersion class on the world of ASD. The program will be offered again this year June 19-23, in 125 Morris Hall. About one in 68 children has been identified as having autism spectrum disorder, according to estimates from Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Children who were previously undiagnosed or misdiagnosed are now receiving support as awareness about ASD has increased over the last couple decades, says Jonathan Zinniel, director of Training at Chileda who helps coordinate the program. Chileda started the ASD certification program as training for its employees in 2000. Within two years, every Chileda employee had completed the program, notes Zinniel. Meanwhile, Chileda had received many requests from schools and other organizations about training on ASD and wanted to share this experience with others beyond the organization. UWL seemed like a natural partner to do that. The Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate Program offered annually covers a variety of topics ranging from communication strategies to music therapy interventions to visual strategies and more. It is a continuing education certificate-based program with an option for two undergraduate or two graduate credits. The non-credit program option is $499. To learn more and register visit https://www.uwlax.edu/conted/autism/