LAS VEGAS -- February 4, 2009 -- Parents, healthcare providers and teachers who care for and treat children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are encouraged to participate in UNLV's autism awareness workshops. Facilitated by the UNLV Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders of the College of Education, the workshops concentrate on explaining ASD, identifying early indications, understanding how a diagnosis can affect a family, and learning what techniques can be used to help treat related behavior problems.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every 150 children has ASD in the United States. Using these statistics, and Nevada's 2005 population figures, a 2008 report of the Nevada Autism Task Force estimated that 5,176 Nevadans ages 0 to 21 have a form of ASD. However, the Task Force reported Nevada lacks the data to accurately show how many people are affected.

ASDs are a group of developmental disabilities with symptoms varying from person to person that can begin before the age of three and last a lifetime. Generally, children with ASD can have trouble with language and social skills, and show unusual behavior with repetitive patterns that can result in tantrums, obsessions, aggressiveness and self-injuries.

"All of these characteristics can create significant barriers to participation in family life, school, work or community activities," said Shannon Crozier, associate director for the UNLV Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. "These workshops help empower parents and service-providers to become better advocates for children."

Through the UNLV Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, a five-session positive behavior workshop teaches parents and a professional service provider such as a teacher, speech therapist or home therapist how to create a positive behavior plan tailored to each family's needs. Children do not attend the workshops. Upon completion, the center's faculty perform three and six-month follow-up visits with the families to evaluate how the training affected the children.

A Feb. 9 workshop will help parents understand the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, an intervention strategy that encourages better behavior. According to the Nevada Autism Task Force Report, 47 percent of children who received Applied Behavior Analysis 30 to 40 hours per week go on to lead normal lives.

This is the third year the UNLV Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders is facilitating the workshops. The center is funded through a grant from the State of Nevada's Fund for Healthy Nevada Grants Administration. UNLV faculty are currently compiling data from previous workshops and will use this spring's data as part of a research project.

For additional information on special education programs at UNLV, please visit http://education.unlv.edu/sped/ or call (702) 895-3205.

WHAT: The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Awareness and Action to Understanding Workshop gives information on how to understand a diagnosis of ASD, characteristics of ASD and how to help children living with ASD.
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Nevada Early Intervention Services North Campus, 4528 W. Craig Rd. Ste. 170, North Las Vegas, NV 89032, in the training room adjacent to the offices.
DETAILS: Free but space is limited.

WHAT: Fundamentals of Behavior: Understanding Why Problem Behaviors Occur in Order to Promote Positive Changes. This workshop is designed to provide parents and professionals with information on what factors contribute to challenging behaviors and how to maintain good behavior.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: UNLV Paradise Campus, 851 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, Room 511
DETAILS: Free but space is limited.

WHAT: The Family Focused Positive Behavior Support Team Training helps family members, friends, teachers and other professionals who interact with individuals who have disabilities and behavior problems. The training sessions create effective plans to understand and rectify challenging behaviors.
WHEN: Feb. 24, March 10, March 24, April 14, April 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Nevada Early Intervention Services North Campus, 4528 W. Craig Rd. Ste. 170, North Las Vegas, NV 89032, in the training room adjacent to the offices.
DETAILS: A team consists of at least one parent/guardian and one professional. Children do not attend trainings. New topics are covered each week. The fee is calculated on a sliding scale determined by family income.

Register for all workshops and the team training by calling Shannon Crozier, Department of Special Education at UNLV, (702) 895-5836 or e-mail autism1@unlv.nevada.edu.