December 7, 2015
Early Childhood & Elementary 



"In the U.S., 1 in 68 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In fact, almost every school and university in the country has students with autism. While the diagnosis is common, public understanding of autism is not."
 
Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children


Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects you -- it affects all of us. We either know someone with ASD or we know of or are part of a family affected by the disorder. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 68 U.S. children are identified with ASD. The disorder is nearly five times more prevalent in boys (1 in 42) than in girls (1 in 189). ASD is a lifetime condition and people on the spectrum may need services and supports throughout their lives.

While the diagnosis has been around since the 1940s, many myths and misconceptions about autism exist including: autism is caused by bad parenting,  vaccines or solely environmental factors (see Autism Myths and Misconceptions). Another myth: ASD can be cured. No cure for ASD exists at this time, but early diagnosis and intervention may improve a child's developmental progress.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) eliminated autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger's Syndrome as subsets of autism. Someone now diagnosed with ASD will fall on the spectrum with varying levels of severity.

For more information about ASD, check out some of the resources listed in the Featured Resources below.
Ready For School Community Spotlight
EMBARC (Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center )
Dianne Siasoco stays busy as she juggles several different educational programs for EMBARC. The mission of the organization, which serves refugees from Burma, "is to open up a world of opportunities for the refugees," she said. As EMBARC Education and Community Fabric Sewing Program Manager, part of her job focuses on providing the children from Burma with the educational opportunities they need for academic success.

Project SPARK, an after-school program, builds literacy and math skills for elementary and middle school students. The elementary program for students grades K-2 provides individualized tutoring in a safe, culturally relevant and educational environment. Student-tutor groups are kept small -- usually at a 3:1 ratio. Students are pretested at the beginning of the program and then curriculum is guided by the results. This year's focus is on math; next year the focus will be on literacy. There is also a summer pre-algebra class for students transitioning from grades 8 to 9.

More than 50 volunteers provide weekly support to Project SPARK. "We rely on and appreciate the volunteers," said Siasoco. "They're the base of our program." 

She marveled at the volunteers' level of commitment to the students. She said a group of 15-20 dedicated volunteers -- including Central College students who drive to Des Moines from Pella -- come out every Saturday morning to work with the youth. "Instead of staying home in bed they come here," said Siasoco. "We have so many volunteers on Saturdays; it's a 1:1 ratio of volunteers to students!"

Another educational program EMBARC provides families from Burma is the Parent Navigator Project, a peer-based "train-the-trainer" project to equip mothers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate Western parenting norms and expectations. EMBARC partners with other community organizations to provide navigator training.

One partner is Iowa Public Television's Ready for School Specialist Kelly Nesheim, who will provide parent navigators with training on iPad technology and how to find high-quality educational media resources. "IPTV is going to be a huge component in training the navigators about digital literacy, and the PBS apps will be good for the children and families to use," said Siasoco.

On Siasoco's wish list? She said that while a large number of volunteers show up on Saturdays, EMBARC is still looking for volunteers to meet with and tutor middle-school students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4 PM. If you're interested in volunteering with EMBARC, contact them at: volunteer@embarciowa.org. 

Want your organization in our Spotlight? Email mary.czech@iptv.org.
Featured Resources
Autism Resources
Autism Science Foundation supports autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations engaged in autism research; provides information about autism to the general public.
National Autism Center disseminates evidence-based information about the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promotes best practices, and offers comprehensive and reliable resources for families, practitioners, and communities.
Center for Disease Control: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Society of Iowa provides advocacy, support and information to individuals with ASD, their families, professionals, and communities throughout the state of Iowa.
Autism Speaks: Iowa links to various resources
Resources for Parents
Questions & Answers
Q: What do IPTV Ready for School (RFS) educational outreach specialists do? What are their backgrounds?

A: Our RFS educational specialists work with families, care providers, educators and community partners in their current-year communities to help children increase their school readiness and success. The RFS specialists may bring high-quality educational media resources and training to school or community events or conduct professional development for staff. Their efforts are tailored to meet the needs of the community.

Our specialists come from diverse backgrounds in early childhood and elementary education -- from teaching in the classroom to directing a child care center.

Questions about Ready for School? Email them to mary.czech@iptv.org.
Out 'n' About with IPTV Education Specialists
12/9/15  Stacie -- Public Library Corner Launch -- Coon Rapids
12/9/15  Stacie -- Public Library Corner Launch -- Grand Junction
12/9/15  Stacie -- Public Library Corner Launch -- Rippey
12/12/15  Stacie -- IPTV resources -- Holiday Reading event -- Bayard
 12/15/15  Stacie -- IPTV resources -- Training for Greene County ECE providers -- Jefferson
How are you using Ready for School ( RFS) resources in your organization? Email mary.czech@iptv.org with any stories of how you have used RFS resources or how the resources have benefited your community. We may feature your story in a future Early Childhood & Elementary newsletter!
IPTV is dedicated to providing quality innovative media services that educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans.

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