La Salle University Digital Commons

Event Title

Post-Secondary Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Panel discussion

Presenter Information

Megan McCarthy, University of PennsylvaniaFollow
Douglas Cornman, Eastern UniversityFollow
Katharine Croce, Saint Joseph's UniversityFollow
Felicia Hurewitz PhD, Drexel University
Michael J. Murray MD, Penn State HersheyFollow
Erica Rohloff, Drexel UniversityFollow

Event Website

http://www.paautism.org/asert/

Start Date

3-5-2013 10:45 AM

End Date

3-5-2013 12:00 PM

Brief Biography

Megan McCarthy, MS is the Outreach Specialist for the ASERT Eastern Region Collaborative. She provides resources to parents, providers, and individuals with ASD, in collaboration with the ASERT Resource Center. She is also a research coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania in the Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, where she manages a variety of projects related to services for individuals with ASD.

Description

The workshop will gather post-secondary institutions that have transition and/or support programs for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Program implementation strategies that are aligned with the needs of students with ASD will be discussed. Representatives will identify successes and challenges of supporting students with ASD transitioning into post-secondary institutions.

Other Presenter Biographies

Douglas Cornman (Eastern University): Douglas Cornman, MA, BC-DMT, LPC is the Coordinator for the College Success Program for Students Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders at Eastern University. He also serves as adjunct faculty for the Dance/Movement Therapy program at Drexel University. Douglas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theater Performance from Messiah College and his Master of Arts in Creative Arts in Therapy from Drexel University. He is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Douglas has worked with individuals living on the autism spectrum for the past thirteen years as both a clinician and an administrator focusing on program development.

Katharine Croce (Saint Joseph’s University): Katharine "Katie" Croce is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and earned her Master's Degree from Temple University. Currently, Katie is pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Saint Joseph’s University. Katie appeared on the groundbreaking NBC 10-part series "Autism: The Hidden Epidemic" in 2004. Presently, Katie is the Director of Programs, Training, and Service at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph’s University. Here Katie has developed programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (social skills programs, an inclusive summer camp, a respite program, a sports program, a college-bound retreat for students with autism spectrum disorders interested in attending college), and trains undergraduate education and psychology majors who want to work in the field of autism spectrum disorders.

Felicia Hurewitz (Drexel University): Felicia Hurewitz, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology of Drexel University. After receiving her doctorate in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she attended postdoctoral training at the Rutgers University Institute for Research in Cognitive Science as a fellow from the National Academy of Education/Spencer foundation. She is the director and founder of the Drexel Autism Support Program, an office that trains peer mentors to work with students with autism spectrum disorders, in addition to providing direct supports and community awareness seminars. She also conducts research on language acquisition, numerical cognition and technologies for assessment of people with developmental disabilities.

Michael J. Murray, MD (Penn State Hershey): Michael J. Murray, MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the Director of the Division of Autism Services at Penn State Hershey. His clinical research interests include improving social fluency and competency for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders and adapting assistive technology to support the social needs for individuals with ASD and complex communication needs. He is the principal investigator for Pa. Bureau of Autism Services, Autism, Service, Education, Resource and Training (ASERT) collaborative in the central region.

Erica Rohloff (Drexel University): Erica Rohloff is a second year master’s of public health student at Drexel University concentrating in community health and prevention. Currently, she is working on her community-based master’s project at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute as well as collaborating with Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training (ASERT). Her master’s project will comprehensively examine how an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis impacts individuals, families, and systems while highlighting the successes, the challenges, and the potential next steps to help improve the diagnosis and follow up to care process.