February 11, 2005 Boise State Developing Instructional Technologies To Address Autism

The Center for Health Policy at Boise State University and Princeton Autism Technology Inc. are developing new Internet and Web-based instructional and communication tools for educators, healthcare providers and parents of children with autism. Professor Elizabeth West of the Department of Special Education at BSU and Ron Oberleitner, director of technology at Princeton Autism Technology Inc., are co-principal investigators on this program.   The two entities, in collaboration with the Institute of Rural Health at Idaho State University, presented a special lecture by Carol Gray on the topic of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Gray, an internationally recognized educator who developed the Social Stories™ teaching method for children with autism, presented her experiences in a special lecture on Feb. 8 on the BSU campus. In attendance were parents, educators and health care providers from throughout the Treasure Valley.  The presentation was broadcast live through the ISU TeleHealth Network to Coeur d’Alene, ISU-Boise Center, Twin Falls and Pocatello. The special event was supported in part by a grant from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation to Princeton Autism Technology Inc., with additional support provided by TalkAutism™ and Idaho Medicaid.    -30-   Contact: Dr. Uwe Reischl, Center for Health Policy (208) 426-5776, ureischl@boisestate.edu     Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu