Staff gain knowledge, information from Autism Navigator training

L-r: Nancy Boswell, Wendy Wager Trotter,
Michelle Hicks, Michele Harrison, Denise Matson,
Beth Torneten, Dr. Amy Wetherby, Dr. Juliann Woods

Several GHAEA staff attended Autism Navigator training on May 25 at Grant Wood AEA, Cedar Rapids. 

     Autism Navigator (AN) was developed at Florida State University and is the brain child of Dr. Juliann Woods and Dr. Amy Wetherby who lead the workshop and discussion, said Michelle Hicks (speech-language pathologist, Creston).

    Autism Navigator is a unique collection of web-based tools and courses developed to bridge the gap between science and community practice. Each tool is designed to increase the capacity of health care providers, early intervention providers, educators, and families to improve outcomes of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

     "Wendy Trotter, Autism education program consultant, Iowa DE, was instrumental in bringing AN to Iowa and securing funding so a handful of Early ACCESS providers from each AEA could receive this training," said Michelle.

     In addition, "Nancy Boswell, Michelle Hicks, Denise Matson, Beth Torneten and Michele Harrison were the members of Cohort 1 for GHAEA," said Julie Stessman (supervisor, physical therapy services, CBRO)."Their dedication to this project has positively impacted the children and families they serve."