Contact: Leigh Flynn
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/11/98

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Parents and teachers of children with autism can benefit from the resources made available through a project administered by Northwestern's College of Education.

In its second year, Project STAR was again awarded a grant from the State Department of Education's Office of Special Education Services.

The project offers Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources for families of children and adolescents with autism. Project director, Dr. Kelly Heckaman, said the program is geared toward the students with autism in the Region VI parishes of Avoyelles, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn. According to 1996 data, some 42 autistic students were identified in the region.

"Parents of children with autism often struggle to find answers, support, assistance and appropriate educational services for their children," Heckaman said. "We're here to offer them that assistance."

"The purpose of this project is to provide families of children with autism peer and professional support, a social network, information about educational and intervention options, services and resources available for their children," Heckaman said.

More specifically, the grant has allowed for the expenditure of more than $2,000 on books and videos related to autism. The resources are available at the Rapides Parish Library.

Through monthly meetings held at England Airpark in Alexandria, the group discusses parental and teacher concerns. Heckaman said guest speakers offer advice and tell those participants about resources and services available to help them individually.

During this past summer, Dr. Gail McGee with the Emory Autism Resource Center in Atlanta, spoke with the group about a method of blending language instruction into a child's regular school and home routines.

The next monthly meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 161 of the LSUA/NSU University Center at England Airpark.

Heckaman said the group is working to form a central Louisiana chapter of the Autism Society. Anyone interested in understanding autism is encouraged to attend the meeting and become a member.

For more information or directions, call Heckaman at (318)357-4490 or e-mail her at heckamank@alpha.nsula.edu.

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