Specialized Schools for Students with Profound Autism

Webinar hosted by National Council on Severe Autism, June 12, 2024

Specialized School Programs for Severe/Profound Autism: An Overview and the Kennedy Krieger Approach

Kennedy Krieger, a Maryland-based children’s specialty hospital has developed highly specialized educational setting for nearly 500 students with complex educational needs, with most identified with autism or multiple disabilities including autism. These students, referred and funded by local and state education agencies, require uniquely tailored programs to meet their distinct needs and manage challenging behaviors. The multi-disciplinary model emphasizes individualized and consistent instructional and behavioral strategies. The school programs serve students K to age 21, working closely with families and caregivers.

The speakers will discuss school programs generally in the US, and also KK’s approach to staffing, training, and programming.

Speakers
• Dr. Aaron Parsons is the Vice President for Special Education at Kennedy Kreiger Institute. He is the administrative head for two of Kennedy’s school programs and supervises operations, behavioral services, and admissions, compliance, and transition for all Kennedy School programs. Dr. Parsons also provides supervision for Kennedy Krieger’s Neurodiversity and Workforce Development department, and an adaptive sports program. He also serves on the board of NAPSEC, National Association of Private Special Education Centers, NAPSEC.org.
• Dr. Tasha Geiger, Clinical Psychologist for Kennedy Kreiger School Programs since 2012, is an expert in delivering highly specialized services in a school setting and assisting educators to establish the consistency necessary to serve students with severe autism and other complex needs. She received her PhD in clinical psychology and child development from the University of Minnesota. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders at the University of Rochester in NY.
• Kathryn Miller, Educational Director, Kennedy Krieger High School since 2018, has a focus on severe and profound disabilities, career and technology education, and transition for students and families to community and post-secondary settings. She earned two master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University, one in Severe and Profound Disabilities and the other in Educational Studies. She also holds two graduate certificates from Johns Hopkins, one in School Administration and Supervision for Special Education Leaders and another in Educating Students with Autism.
• Sandi Jenkins, Director of Education at Kennedy Krieger School: Fairmount Campus since 2019, has expertise in collaborative team building, implementing positive behavior interventions and supports, the integration of academics with therapeutic programming, building and implementing systems, and project management. She earned a Master's Degree in Special Education from North Georgia College. Additionally, she holds two graduate certificates. The first in Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University and the second in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Links:
NAPSEC.org
Affiliate state organizations: https://www.napsec.org/index.php?opti...