Putting Together the Autism Puzzle
When: Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: L.A. Pittenger Student Center
Cost: $15 for students and $35 for public
Ball State will host the first autism symposium to discuss the disorder in higher education.
“The concern is how do we in higher education, in terms of faculty and staff, ... make sure we are meeting their unique and specific needs,” said Lyn Jones, professor of English and an organizer of the symposium.
The symposium, called “Putting Together the Autism Puzzle,” will be on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at L.A. Pittenger Student Center. The event is open to the public, but registration and a fee of $15 for students and $35 for the community is required.
The event will focus on how to meet the needs of students in higher education under the spectrum of autism and to develop ideas and plans to meet those needs.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain and affects a broad range of skills. The disorder has varying symptoms and levels of impairment or disability, according to the National Institute of Mental Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
One in 68 children born in 2002 and one in 88 born in 2000 have been diagnosed under ASD, according to the latest reports from CDC on ASD.
On campus, students diagnosed with autism is becoming more common.
The office of disability services assists about 600 students, 30 to 35 of which fall on the spectrum of autism. Fifteen years ago, disability services had about one or two students, Larry Markle, director of disabled student development, said.
The rise of students with ASD is more likely due to an increase in awareness and improvements in early detection.
“More than anything, we have always had people with autism spectrum disorder, it’s just in the past 15 to 20 years there is better recognition of ASD at a younger range,” he said.
Despite the increase in cases at Ball State, the numbers are not always accurately quantified.
“The tricky thing with numbers in my work is it’s all based on self-report,” Markle said. “There may be dozens, [maybe even] hundreds, of others who have chosen not to disclose a disability.”
The event will feature panels led by experts on autism, medical practitioners from Riley Hospital for Children, parents, students with ASD and others. Keynote speaking is David McIntosh, David and Joanna Meeks Distinguished Professor of Special Education.
Read More
No. 6 Ball State falls to No. 2 Ohio in second game of MAC Championship
By Zach Carter / 6 hours agoAfter falling to the Bobcats, the Cardinals now face elimination. They will return to Fire Stone Stadium tomorrow to face No. 5 Central Michigan at 10:30 a.m.
Three takeaways from Jeff Mitchell’s media session
By David Moore , Zach Carter and Adam Altobella / 13 hours agoBall State’s director of athletics Jeff Mitchell sat down with the media to discuss his first year in the position and other topics.
Community Celebrates Hopeful Future for Muncie Schools at State of the Schools
By Andrew Berger / YesterdayCommunity members, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) faculty and Ball State University faculty gathered at Southside Middle School May 8 for the first inaugural “State of the Schools” event. The occasion, which featured a buffet and live music, marked the first open community meeting to discuss the 2018 partnership between MCS and Ball State.
