Where in the World is Dr. Stephen Shore?...well Dr. Stephen Shore is apt to be anywhere in the world, but almost always performing the same service:

“Improving life for people on the autism spectrum....

one trip at a time!”

This week Dr. Shore is going to be at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, teaching a course on: Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism. In this course he and his students will explore the different screening, diagnostic and clinical assessment instruments. Then they are going to review the many different interventions with the goal of matching best practices to the needs of children with autism.

Kathleen: Hello Stephen and thank you again for your time.

Stephen: It’s a pleasure to be here once again.

Kathleen: In preparation for our talk tonight, I viewed the video posted on YouTube of you titled: ‘Examining Five Promising approaches for Autism Spectrum’. I felt that this would be helpful for me as we discussed the course you’re currently teaching.

During your YouTube presentation, I thought it was priceless when you asked the audience: “How many of you are on the autism spectrum?”...you waited a moment and then said, “there will be more of you on it before I’m done.”  I knew exactly what you meant.

This autism spectrum is such an incredibly wide and varied one that it is not surprising that many of us who thought we were so ‘typical’ would benefit greatly from best practices for sensory processing disorders.

Stephen: I ask this question for two reasons.  The first, is I feel it’s important to recognize that people with autism are part of the autism community.  Secondly, to drive home the point that everyone has some autistic tendencies.  Some people have more than others.  For those having so many that these characteristics interfere with functioning on a regular basis... then looking into a diagnosis is warranted.

Kathleen: I agree completely. Now getting back to the course you are teaching this week at Adelphi University in New York, how do you tie in the seven approaches to teaching people on the spectrum. I understand that you are discussing screening, diagnosis and assessment instruments, but do these approaches come into the conversation?

Stephen: I introduce the idea of comparing approaches with the concept that the autism spectrum is very wide and diverse.  And it stands to reason that different people on the spectrum have different needs.  And certain approaches will meet the needs of a particular person better than others.  Therefore, research should be devoted to matching best practice to the needs of children with autism rather than attempting to find out which approach is the best of the bunch.

Then we move on to compare approaches for similarities and differences with each other.

Kathleen: In a past interview that you and I have done, we talked about how individuals with autism are not static...but rather fluid and change dynamically. This makes it illogical to stick to one particular method exclusively. Is this included in your course as well?

Stephen: It certainly is.  One must continuously evaluate the changing needs of a person with autism as they develop.

Kathleen: I would imagine that data collection, possibly in the form of portfolio method, is a very important component while formulating an individualized program for each person.

Stephen: That is correct.  A portfolio also allows a clinician to evaluate the development of a person with autism in ways that standardized testing may not allow.  A judicious use of standardized assessment combined with a portfolio is probably a good way to go.

Kathleen: You just answered the question I had in my mind... which was, “How then, does one reconcile the standardized testing required in public school settings, while implementing an effective portfolio method. You are saying that there needs to, in essence, be a hybrid of the two to function optimally?

Stephen: That is correct.  Doing so respects the individuality of the person on the autism spectrum.

Kathleen: Best practices, regardless of whether one is on the autism spectrum or considered neuro-typical, seems to have many of the same exact components.

Stephen: I think that is a great way to put it.  That’s a variation on what I often say about academic accommodations.  These teaching techniques are often just extensions of good teaching practice.

Kathleen: Since we have the privilege of having you right here with us, what are some of the main points from your course. What are the main take away points this week?

Stephen:  Some of the main points are that there are many different assessments for autism as there are approaches for supporting people with autism.  Gaining familiarity with the different screening, diagnostic, and clinical-supporting assessment instruments will aide the clinician in choosing which one(s) are most appropriate for a given person.

The same holds true for the many existing approaches and techniques for supporting people with autism.

Kathleen: What I’m hearing you say is that autism assessment and support becomes an almost living thing...expanding and contracting with the needs of the student. Is that a fair assessment?

Stephen:  I think in addition, they are ever changing in response to the needs and development of the person on the autism spectrum.

Kathleen: Yes, and I think your students are incredibly fortunate to have your experience, understanding and compassion to learn from.

What a wonderful way to be sharing autism awareness this week.

Stephen: Thanks for the compliment.  I am also incredibly fortunate to have students who are eager to learn.  Additionally, I learn a lot from my students as well!

This week long class end in a couple of days on Friday.  Next week, I will present at the Autism Society of America nation conference in Dallas, Texas.  Topics include training with Dennis Debbaudt and colleagues for preparing first responders for encounters with people on the autism spectrum.  I will also talk about how to include people with autism in the music curriculum and teaching those on the spectrum how to play musical instruments.

Kathleen: What important issues...and FUN ones as well! I’m sure you will have a wonderful turn out at the conference and I will be certain to have many questions about ‘Where in the world is Dr. Stephen Shore!”

Thank you for sharing with us about your current course going on at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York and giving us a little heads up about your presentation next week as well.

Stephen: You are welcome.  It’s been a pleasure.

I’ll be updating as Stephen makes the rounds at various autism spectrum conferences, presentations and related I’ll be updating as Stephen makes the rounds at various autism spectrum conferences, presentations and related functions.

To catch our conversations, watch for the next,

 

 

It is my privilege and pleasure to follow along with Stephen while he is:

"Improving life for people on the autism spectrum....one trip at a time!"

www.autismasperger.net

 

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