The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Misericordia University will offer a comprehensive workshop on how to facilitate collaboration among professionals working with individuals with autism on Friday, March 13. The program, "Autism: Solutions for Successful Collaboration," is designed for professionals and parents of children with autism. It will feature experts in the areas of occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, social work and behavior. They will offer practical solutions to promote professional collaboration among the various health care disciplines utilized in the care of a person with autism, and also discuss how to actively involve families in the collaboration process.

Misericordia University's second annual multi-disciplinary Distinguished Speakers Series workshop on autism is designed for anyone who works or lives with individuals with autism, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, regular and special education teachers, psychologists, social workers, TSS workers and parents. The workshop will offer innovative and collaborative solutions to care for and support individuals with autism in their daily functioning in school, work and life.

The presenters include three members of the Misericordia University faculty: event coordinator Kathleen Scaler Scott, Ph.D., C.C.C.-S.L.P., assistant professor of speech-language pathology; Alicia Nordstrom, Ph.D., professor of psychology; and Lori Charney, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., assistant professor of occupational therapy. Also presenting are Robert A. Bogdan, L.C.S.W., a licensed clinical social worker, and Barbara Karnafel, B.S., S.L.P., a speech-language pathologist. Amanda Marchese, a college student with autism, and Francine Hogan, the mother of a son with autism, will also share their personal experiences.

The program will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. It is sponsored by the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Misericordia University and the Liv with Autism Foundation. The Hazleton Area School District Early Intervention Department is a co-sponsor. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and social work CEUs, and the equivalent Act-48 contact hours will be awarded. Occupational therapists will receive a certificate of attendance.

"What is unique about this lecture series is that it will present the perspective of multiple professionals involved in working with an individual with autism, including family members," Dr. Scaler Scott said. "When a large team of professionals works with an individual, communication and teamwork remain key elements to successful intervention. Collaboration can be difficult, and this workshop will provide practical solutions to the typical barriers to working together among professionals and family members. We will provide participants with several examples of successful collaboration."

Dr. Scaler Scott's areas of specialization include autism spectrum disorders, child language disorders, literacy, and fluency disorders. A practicing clinician for 21 years, Dr. Scaler Scott has presented numerous papers nationally and internationally in the areas of social communication disorders, literacy, and fluency disorders. Her current research projects include examination of the linguistic, phonological and fluency patterns in children on the autism spectrum, characteristics of cluttering, and clinician-researcher partnerships.

Dr. Nordstrom teaches courses at Misericordia University such as Intro to Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, Child Psychopathology, and Child Interventions. Dr. Nordstrom's current research focuses on mental health in health sciences graduate students, and stereotypes and prejudice in college students.

Dr. Charney is a clinical occupational therapist whose doctoral capstone involved the development of a sensory/social summer camp for students with autism, which included a research component to determine the effectiveness of pairing sensory activities and social skills instruction to improve social participation. She also has extensive experience in the public school system where she developed a district-wide sensory program, an assistive technology program, and an outdoor sensory playground.

Bogdan was a member of the Liv with Autism board from its inception until 2014, assisting with the growth and promotion of activities. He currently has a private practice in Kingston, Pa., and works with a wide range of young people with a variety of issues including autism.

Karnafel is a speech-language pathologist with more than 32 years of experience within the public school system. She earned her specialty certificate in autism from Pennsylvania State University, and is currently working as a private contractor in area school systems.

Amanda Marchese is a Marywood University student and an inspirational speaker who advocates for those with disabilities. She has spoken to college students and various organizations about her experience being on the autism spectrum to increase sensitivity to the issues of students with autism.

Francine Hogan is the mother of Michael, a 14-year-old boy with autism. Currently, Hogan is an ambassador for the Autism Tissue Program; a member of the Board of Directors of the Autism Coalition of Luzerne County, and is the vice president of the Liv with Autism Foundation.

The conference fee of $150 per person includes a continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. An early bird group rate for three or more registrants from the same organization is $130 per person. An individual early bird rate is $135 applicable on registrations made 10 days prior to the conference. The price includes 0.6 ASHA and social work CEUs, the equivalent Act-48 contact hours, and the certificate of attendance for occupational therapists.

A parent's rate of $50 includes a continental breakfast, lunch and all workshop materials.

For additional information and conference details, please go to www.misericordia.edu/conferences or contact Jeffrey Kelly in the Center for Adult and Continuing Education at (570) 674-6155 or jkelly2@misericordia.edu.

For more information about the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Misericordia University, please call (570) 674-6724 or log on to www.misericordia.edu/slp. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers 34 degree programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full- and part-time formats. Misericordia University ranks in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities – North category of U.S. News and World Report's 2015 edition of Best Colleges and was designated a 2015 Best Northeastern College by the Princeton Review.