CT to Mark Autism Awareness Day with Debut of `Autism Connects

State Education Resource Center
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jeremy Bond
State Education Resource Center
Cell: (203) 317-7908
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2015
CT to Mark Autism Awareness Day with Debut of ‘Autism Connects’ at SERC
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A new Connecticut event April 1-2 will help connect information for educators
and families that have students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“Autism: Connecting the Dots” will be held at the State Education Resource Center (SERC) in conjunction
with World Autism Awareness Day. A portion of the event will be live-streamed and archived for later
online viewing. For more information and to register for the free event, go to http://ctserc.org/events/
connectingthedots.
The event begins April 1, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with a meet-and-greet. This will include a tour of the SERC
Library, featuring the latest resources and books on autism, and hands-on Assistive Technology
demonstrations in SERC’s new Assistive Technology Corner. Participants will have the opportunity to meet
SERC consultants and local authors of resource materials on ASD who will present workshops the next day.
On April 2, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the workshops will address the phases and challenges facing educational
teams and families. Topics will include transitioning a student with ASD into adult life, Assistive Technology,
and navigating the special education process.
Some of these workshops will be streamed live and archived for viewing by anyone at any time. SERC will
also live-tweet the event with the hashtag #autismconnects. Anyone with resources and other information
of interest is encouraged to use the hashtag on social media.
For those attending the event in person on April 2, stations throughout the building will offer resources and
materials from various agencies and organizations. Tours of the SERC Library and hands-on Assistive
Technology demonstrations will be available on this day as well.
The Connecting the Dots event is sponsored by the CT State Department of Education and SERC in
collaboration with the CT Department of Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services; the CT
Parent Information and Resource Center; the CT Department of Developmental Services; the New England
Assistive Technology (NEAT) Center at Oak Hill; and ASRC – Autism Services and Resources Connecticut.
Anyone with questions can contact Linda Adorno at SERC, [email protected] or 860-632-1485 x241.
World Autism Awareness Day is marked around the world every year on April 2.
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The State Education Resource Center (SERC) (ctserc.org) provides professional development, resources, and a
centralized Library to Connecticut educators, service providers, families, and others to support its vision:
Equity. Excellence. Education.
The CT Parent Information and Resource Center (CT PIRC) (ctpirc.org) is based at SERC in Middletown and works
with partners across Connecticut to ensure that families have a voice in education that is sought, respected, and valued.
25 Industrial Park Road  Middletown, CT 06457-1516  Phone: (860) 632-1485  Fax: (860) 632-8870
www.ctserc.org