Event Title
Location
Olney Hall 100
Start Date
1-5-2015 1:45 PM
End Date
1-5-2015 3:00 PM
Brief Biography
Dr. Eric Mitchell is the Director of Autism and Psychological Services for Foundations Behavioral Health. He is also the author of “Putting It Together: The Autism and Asperger’s Handbook.” After graduating from the University of Vermont, he moved on to Rutgers University for his masters degree, and then to the University of Pennsylvania for his doctoral studies. He accepted a post-doctoral fellowship specializing in ASD and related disorders with emphasis on cutting edge ABA interventions with eclectic service delivery. With many years of experience as an educator, evaluator, licensed psychologist, school psychologist, program development consultant, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Mitchell is extremely active around the Philadelphia region and beyond, both as a professional and as an advocate. With a focus on ASD, Dr. Mitchell has been a Holroyd Lecturer for La Salle University, and a Rovinsky Lecturer for PCOM. He has been very active in providing guidance and workshops at regional conferences, universities, and various agencies specializing with autism. He continues to build collaborative partnerships between families, schools, universities, mental health agencies, professionals, self-advocates, and others in the ASD community.
Wendy Ross, MD, FAAP As a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, Wendy sits at the intersection of the medical, therapeutic, and educational stories of children and their families, helping them reach their potential. She has a vision of community inclusion for those with developmental delays, particularly autism, that will benefit families affected, as well as all of us. There is not a mind or a minute to waste. From her work at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center, and now with her own Center for Pediatric Development as well as Autism Inclusion Resources, Wendy has forged remarkable programs for inclusion and was honored as one of 10 CNN Heroes for 2014.
Carol Moog, Ph.D., is a licensed Psychologist and founder of ImagineAct. Dr. Moog recently served as clinical director of the Social Learning Disorders Program at University of Pennsylvania. She is the psychologist for The Miquon School, actively collaborates with Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR), and works extensively with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum in her clinical practice as a licensed psychologist. Carol was artist-in-residence at Green Tree School and a consultant to the Social Competency Program at the Center for Autism, creating theater-based social skills programs for teens drawing from her experience as a theater improviser, actor, musician, communications consultant, and writer, most recently authoring The Autism Playbook for Teens with Irene McHenry.
Timshel Purdum: Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, The Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University Timshel is a passionate and engaging museum professional with 15+ years of experience developing programs, obtaining funding, and managing staff in science, natural history and environmental non-profits. She has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives for autism inclusiveness in collaboration at the Academy with other museum professionals and interested parties in the region.
Jason Poole: paleontologist, Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, http:// www.ansp.org. Jason “Chewie” Poole has been working with fossils for the better part of 30 years. He has collected dinosaur fossils for research in Wyoming, Montana, Egypt and Patagonia in Argentina. Mr. Poole is a fossil preparator, teacher and illustrator of all things paleo. His work can be seen in the December 2007 issue of National Geographic Bizarre Dinosaurs as well as museum exhibits in several East Coast Museums in the USA.
Allison Krisch: Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, http://www.ansp.org. Allison Krisch is the Manager of Science and Community Programs at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Allison holds a dual Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Social Movements & Inequality and a Master of Arts in Museum Education from The University of the Arts. She has held several positions and internships over her 9-year museum career at institutions such as Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Franklin Institute, National Constitution Center, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and American Philosophical Society Museum.
Bridget Siess is employed with Foundations Behavioral Health located in Doylestown, PA. She is currently the lead associate at Lifeworks Academy catering to middle and high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Bridget led the development and programming of this innovative specialty program since its creation in 2009. For the past twelve years she has worked as an ABA therapist, ABA consultant in home programs, advocate, teacher and caregiver for children diagnosed with autism. The emphasis of Bridget’s graduate research and overall experience has been in the area of social communication—putting theory into practice. She holds her Masters of Science and PA certification in Special Education. Bridget’s inspiration comes from her two nephews who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also continues her work in the community supporting families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Description
A collaboration between CNN Hero Dr. Wendy Ross’ Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR) and the Academy of Natural Sciences yielded an innovation social skills group for Foundations’ Lifeworks students, matching expert museum education staff such as paleontologist Jason Poole and staff at the Academy with Drs. Mitchell and Moog. The results were nothing short of inspirational. This workshop will highlight the outcomes of the group, and share poignant stories experienced along the way. Development of self-advocacy skills and future transitions will be showcased.
Dinosaurs, ASD, and Social Skills
Olney Hall 100
A collaboration between CNN Hero Dr. Wendy Ross’ Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR) and the Academy of Natural Sciences yielded an innovation social skills group for Foundations’ Lifeworks students, matching expert museum education staff such as paleontologist Jason Poole and staff at the Academy with Drs. Mitchell and Moog. The results were nothing short of inspirational. This workshop will highlight the outcomes of the group, and share poignant stories experienced along the way. Development of self-advocacy skills and future transitions will be showcased.