ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear Friends,
I'm excited to say that I'm working on a book project (I'm contracted with
Jessica Kingsley Press) which will focus on the importance of out-of-school
learning experiences for children, teens and young adults on the autism
spectrum.
I'll be writing about the reams of existing research which show how
effective inquiry-based, multisensory educational techniques can be for autistic
people - and I'll be telling stories about terrific experiences young people with
autism have had in science and children's museums, zoos, aquariums,
arboreta, and so forth.
I'll also be exploring ways in which young people with autism can grow and
thrive in community venues and programs. These include interest-based clubs
and groups that might be based in a science museum or center: astronomy clubs,
lego mindstorm groups, RC airplane groups, and so forth, as well as
community-based science programs; youth programs, outreach programs, etc.
In addition, I want to write about ways in which teens and young adults with
autism are able to build relationships, leadership skills, and even career
skills and opportunities through these types of experiences. I'm thinking, for
example, of young people who volunteer, intern, or work at science museums;
help out with telescopes at public star parties; volunteer and take part in
dinosaur digs out west; become junior counselors at science camps; take on
volunteer or internship responsibilities in museum-based labs; and so forth.
While I am certainly interested in learning about "special" programs for
young people with autism, I'm equally interested in stories of young people on
the autism spectrum gaining from and even excelling in typical or specifically
inclusive programs, events and venues. I'm also interested in hearing about
venues that really knock themselves out to make themselves available to
young people on the autism spectrum.
If you have a story, or a suggestion about whom to contact to find out about
a program, a success story, or a venue, please let me know. I can be
reached at [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]) . Also - please feel
free to pass this email along - not only to science museum colleagues but also
to colleagues at other types of museums and community venues.
Thanks so very much,
Lisa Rudy
Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
21 Ridgeview Drive
Falmouth, MA 02540
_www.lisarudy.com_ (http://www.lisarudy.com/)
508-540-7293
_About.com Guide to Autism_ (http://www.autism.about.com/)
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