The University of Houston Embraces Hybrid Instruction
Progress toward project goals.
During the spring 2002 semester, the REAP Project first offered graduate students at UTPA access to instructional course content via IVT. This course was directed by Dr. Jo Webber, board member of the ATC, internationally respected author, and expert in the teaching of children with autism and the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques. In subsequent courses offered at UTPA on autism, Dr. Webber continues to make her expertise available. Additionally, Alonzo Andrews, psychologist and Director of the Autism Treatment Center in San Antonio, and Dr. Kay Lewis, M.D., ATC Board Member, also regularly address UTPA students as a component of their course work. Information is provided on such topics as etiology, characteristics, prevalence, evaluation, treatments, and controversies in interventions.
Regarding progress toward establishing a site for the diagnosis of autism, in June of 2002, the ATC provided funds for the REAP Project Coordinator from UTPA to travel to Reno, Nevada to receive formal training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). To date, four children from the Region One area have been brought to UTPA for evaluation. This "evaluation piece" also has been formally embedded into course work. Initial contact with the parents of each of the children evaluated was made through local public school personnel. Children were administered the ADOS at UTPA while observed in real time, using the IVT equipment, by experts at the ATC in Dallas and San Antonio, and also from Houston Medical Center. Each parent received a comprehensive report, signed by a licensed professional trained in the area of autism. Students participating in the coursework on autism were required to observe, write reports, and make appropriate educational recommendations. For future research purposes, confidential case files on each of the children evaluated are maintained.