Autism Without Limits
Sponsored by:
Autism is among the fastest-rising disability profiles, occurring across every racial, ethnic, and Socioeconomic Stats (SES) group. According to the CDC one in 44 children are now identified with autism; a number that is likely underestimated. This multi-session event will help participants begin the journey to embracing, understanding, and supporting neurodiverse and autistic students. Join us as we explore what it means to learn and understand the world through an autistic lens and discover how we can use this knowledge to support all students.
Please click the “+” next to each section to view a recording and shared resources.
Welcome and Introductions
Presenters:
- John Belotti, , UW Oshkosh College of Business
John Bellotti has over 20 years of instructional design experience, currently working in the College of Business at UW Oshkosh, helping to develop college instructors and their materials to help support a wide range of neurodiverse students. He has a Master’s in training and development and is currently pursuing a certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity to further broaden his knowledge and support of neurodiverse students. As a father of three children, he has a vested interest in helping neurodiverse students because he has one college age girl with undiagnosed conditions, one neurotypical high school girl, and one son who’s 14 in middle school that was diagnosed with autism around 10 years old. John also runs the virtual Dads of Autism group for the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin helping dads connect with each other over their challenges and successes with their autistic children. - Jarod Falk, Student Advocate and future Graduate of UW Oshkosh College of Business
Jarod Falk is an ambitious student majoring in Human Resources Management at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh while managing the challenges of his autism diagnosis. He is looking for his next internship opportunity within Human Resources as he had one at Oshkosh Corporation last summer as the Diversity and Inclusion intern. His passions include bringing an understanding of autism awareness and helping create more awareness in our communities and livelihoods. His dream is to own a million dollar home on a wooded lot and a circular pavered driveway with a stone and brick exterior around the 7,000 square foot range. He currently owns a Lexus and takes wonderful care of the car and has future plans on purchasing another Lexus someday down the road. His strengths are being trustworthy and reliable. His people skills have helped a great deal when it comes to building trust and relationships with stakeholders while planning his two past autism events. He looks forward to getting married someday and having a large family of his own raising his kids in a highly structured but loving environment to help his family become a close knit family and so his kids are independent such as daily clipboards have to be completed before having access to their privileges such as screens and friends. His children will learn that the world does not revolve around them and that they are apart of something bigger. Some of the different departments that he is interested in through the Human Resources world is Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development while focusing on his ultimate career goal of being a Chief Human Resources Officer.
Additional Resources
Neurodiversity and the Autism Spectrum
Description
This talk will begin by discussing what Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is from a diagnostic perspective and then briefly cover its prevalence. Next, the diversity of ASD will be discussed with specific respect to the neurological/cognitive domain.
Presenter:
Dr. Karst earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Cognitive & Brain Sciences from the University of Nevada. One of his areas of expertise includes the neuropathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This area of interest developed during his doctoral work when he conducted histological research using ASD tissue to identify and quantify potential cortical abnormalities. Dr. Karst additionally teaches both an undergraduate and graduate course pertaining to the Cognitive Neuroscience of ASD.
Breaking Down Barriers
Description:
Autistic college students are a vibrant group of students to learn and grow with. Autistic Students bring a unique perspective and skillsets that have the action potential to enrich and actively contribute to the college community and beyond. Many autistic students do well in high school and head off to college. When they get there, they sometimes run into unexpected challenges. But with the right tools and preparation, college students with autism can continue to succeed.
In this session we will explore myriad of strategies and accommodation strategies that can breakdown learning and socially-based barriers and provide a structure for students to thrive on campus, both in the classroom and beyond.
Presenter:
Scott Ritter, MS, is the Director of Disability Resource and Testing and Assessment Services at Madison College. He began his work with individuals with disabilities on August 12, 1981-the day his brother, Matt, was born. Matt is an individual with multiple disabilities, including Autism, and his strength and light has shaped Scott’s personal and professional path ever since.
Scott has 20+ years of disability services and higher education experience, including over 16 years at Madison College in both direct service and leadership roles. Scott has dedicated his career to creating conditions that empower and support students with disabilities to reach their chosen learning goals. His personal mission is to ensure equal access to all programs and experiences at Madison College and to be a co-conspirator to confront anti-ablism and facilitate self-authorship and empowerment for all students with disabilities, in all aspects of their lives
Additional Resources
Accessing Potential
Description
This session will cover both the Accessibility Office and Project Success, a brief law & policy overview, and accommodations offered. This session will include data and discussion on the number of students served with a disability at UW Oshkosh over a five-year trend. As well, as how staff and faculty can best support their students to ensure success for students that have disabilities. Lastly, we will cover how staff and faculty can refer students if they feel that one of their students could benefit from additional support.
Presenters:
- Holly Ludwig Callaghan; Accessibility Coordinator, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Holly Ludwig Callaghan, She/Her/Hers, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from UW-Oshkosh. She advocates for students with disabilities in her role as the Accessibility Coordinator in the Accessibility Center. Her passion areas include psychological disabilities and helping students learn how to advocate for themselves. Prior to joining the team at UWO, she worked as a Guest Experience Manager for the Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida. Holly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, movies, music, shopping, and more. - Megan Wikel, Project Success, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Megan graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Leadership. Megan began her work with Project Success in the Summer of 2014 and was able to gain an internship with Project Success in 2019. Throughout her internship, she worked as a student engagement mentor and helped with overall support pertaining to time management and organizational skills. Following graduation, in September 2019, she accepted a position as an Administrative Assistant II. Throughout her time at Project Success, Megan’s main focus has been accommodation management, assisting with advocating for students with learning disabilities, and overall student support.
Creating an Inclusive Course Design for All Students
Description
Dr. Rebecca Graetz and Dr. Juliann Bosko Young discuss UDL as an inclusive approach to course design that provides all students with equal opportunities to access, participate and succeed in learning. By incorporating multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement, educators can create an environment that supports diverse learning needs, while also enhancing the learning experience where all students can thrive. There will also be a discussion on course templates to help with cognitive load. Both Dr. Graetz and Dr. Young also have experiences as parents with neurodiverse adult children which ultimately lead to careers in Instructional Design.
Presenters:
- Dr. Rebecca Graetz, Sr. Instructional Designer in OCE at UWO
- Dr. Juliann Bosko Young, Director of Digital Learning Initiatives and Sr. Instructional DesignerDr.
Rebecca Graetz and Dr. Juliann Bosko Young discuss UDL is an inclusive approach to course design that provides all students with equal opportunities to access, participate and succeed in learning. By incorporating multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement, educators can create an environment that supports diverse learning needs, while also enhancing the learning experience where all students can thrive. There will also be a discussion on course templates to help with cognitive load. Both Dr. Graetz and Dr. Young also have experiences as parents with neurodiverse adult children which ultimately lead to careers in Instructional Design.