TEACCH 2012

Session dates are July 23-27 and August 6-10.  Click here for more information and to register.

Summer 2012 Camp Applications Available

Click here for more information and application packets on all our summer programs.

Autism Post-doctoral Fellowship Available

This Fellowship at The Watson Institute prepares individuals who intend to become experts in diagnostic practices and intervention services for children and adolescents with autism.  Click here for more information.

Watson Social Skills Groups

The groups use cognitive-behavioral interventions, making use of participants' strengths to teach them to compensate for weaker areas. Referral deadline is Feb. 1, 2012 for current school year.  Call 412-749-2883 for more information.

Ed Center Students Fundraise for Homeless Children

Student's in Katie Patterson's classroom at The Education Center in Sewickley created and sold custom designed Christmas cards this past season, raising $200 to purchase toys and games for children staying at homeless shelters run by the Homeless Children's Education Fund (HCEF) of Pittsburgh.  They personally visited the Center's offices to deliver the proceeds.  Click here for a story on the HCEF website.

McKesson Employees Annual Holiday Visit

McKesson employees fundraise throughout the year to buy toys for each classroom at the Education Center.  Teachers submit "wish lists" and employees visit with Santa to personally deliver the gifts.  The annual event is much anticipated by staff and students alike.  Watson is grateful to McKesson employees for their generosity to our students. 

NFL Alumni Bring Holiday Cheer to Education Center

With their arms full of Pillow Pets for younger students and gift bags for older ones, Todd Kalis, President and Randy Grossman, Treasurer of the NFL Alumni Association's Pittsburgh Chapter, visited every classroom at The Education Center in Sewickley this week, presenting each student with a gift.  In addition to supporting former players and coaches, the NFL Alumni Association supports youth through NFL Alumni Charities.   We are grateful to the Pittsburgh Chapter for their generosity to our students.  We are also grateful to Ed Bodine and OnDemand Energy Solutions for their support of this visit and gifts to the students.

WISCA Students Conduct Food Drive

WISCA student Jacob Fawcett, along with his fellow students, organized a food drive for the St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry in Sharpsburg. They delivered over a dozen large boxes this week. Thanks WISCA students for giving back to the community!

Local Author Visits Friendship Academy

During the visit Ms. Flake read excerpts from her book and answered questions from students.  She also presented autographed copies of her books to students and to Friendship Academy's Library.  The event was sponsored by Duquesne University School of Education's Department of Instruction and Leadership.  Click here for more information on Duquesne's website.

Watson is a Wraparound Service Provider

  Click here for more information on our wraparound services.

SCALE Summer Program Profiled in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story.

Flag of Ireland Flies at Watson

Watson is collaborating with Irish Autism Action (IAA), the umbrella body representing parent groups, support groups and schools for children on the Autism spectrum in Ireland to support transition from institutional to personalized models of care in disability and mental health services.  IAA received a grant to ease the integration of children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrom into "third level education" - Ireland's equivalent of college in the USA.  Watson personnel are training the Irish delegation in our ACCLAIM program this summer.  Watson also has a delegation of personnel in County Mullingar, Ireland training their personnel on our WISP summer camp program.  County Mullingar is reciprocating with an American flag at their camp.

In photo (l-r):  Joseph McAllister, Marilyn Hoyson, Jennifer Sheridan, Nicola Kennedy, Geraldine Graydon, Mary Downey, Ailbne Dunne and Ray White.

Barry Bohn Honored by Pittsburgh Business Times

Autism Training DVDs Available for Purchase
New Title Added - 10 DVDS in all.

Through grants from PNC Bank Foundation and FISA Foundation, Watson consultants have produced a series of DVDs on various topics related to autism.  Using classrooms and programs as laboratory sites to film the training sessions, the DVDs are a key component in our plans to share our expertise with organizations and individuals anywhere in the world who face the same challenges of educating increasing numbers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  Topics include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders:  An Overview
• Embedding IEP Goals in the Daily Schedule
• Using Sensory Strategies in the Classroom
• Utilizing the Preschool Environment to Promote Play and Social Skills
• Encouraging Communication in the Classroom
• Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Principal's Guide to Autism - NEW!

The DVDs are available for $21.95 each or $187 for the set, a savings of 15%. 

Click here to download an order form including detailed descriptions of each title or call Shari Bruce at 412-749-2851 for more information.