Mission of the Autism Project

Mission Statement

The Autism Project's mission is to demonstrate for school personnel and parents how to design and implement appropriate school-based programs for children who have been determined to be eligible to receive special education services in the category of autism.

Primary Activities in Support of the Autism Project's Mission

Autism Project staff will perform two primary activities:  (a) direct service provision ot students with autism, and (b) professional development trainings.  The activities are discussed in detail below.

Direct service provision to students.  During the 2011-2012 school year, project staff will operate two classrooms at the Autism Demonstration School.  Preschook, Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade students with autism may be considered for placement in these classrooms.  Accordingly, applications for enrollment of students with autism are now being accepted.  Anyone interested in submitting an application should contact the Autism Project by calling 228.863.1755 or sending an e-mail to autism@usm.edu.

Training.  Autism Project staff conduct trainings at the Demonstration School and throughout Mississippi.  Trainings can be tailored to address the needs of the individuals or organizations requesting them.  Of particular note is the option of participated in a training within the Demonstration School's Extended Preschool Classroom.  The Extended Preschool Classroom has been configured with an audiovisual system that is tied to the Preschool Classroom.  Specifically, five surveillance cameras and a central microphone have been installed on the ceiling in the Preschool classroom.  Additinally, the special education teacher, speech-language pathologist, and instructional assistants who work in the classroom wear lapel microphones and earbuds that allow them to speak, in real time, with trainees who watch and listen to the audio and video feed that is being sent to the computer, speakers, and projector in the Extended Classroom.  All the while the training session is being mediated in the Extended Classroom by the Autism Project's Director of Training.

Another training option at the Demonstration School is for participants to work in a Mock Classroom that has been constructed for the purpose of demonstrating the arrangement of upper elementary, middle school, and high school settings for students with autism, as well as instructional materials and strategies for use in these settings.

Tours.  Autism Project staff conduct tours of the Autism Demonstration School on a monthly basis.  Tours consist of a presentation in which various aspects of the Autism Project are explained, followed by a visit to the classrooms and other locations within the facility.  Please call 228.863.1755 or e-mail autism@usm.edu for schedule information.