Talk to focus on state plan to improve services for those with autism spectrum disorder

6:14 p.m., April 8, 2013--April is Autism Awareness Month, and the next session in the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) Lunchtime Learning series will focus on the development of a comprehensive plan for Delaware to improve services for children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

Annalisa Ekbladh, CDS staff member and program coordinator for the Autism Planning Initiative, will speak about findings from focus groups and the statewide needs assessment survey, as well as share preliminary recommendations from the Delaware Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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June 5: Blue Hen 5K

University of Delaware graduates planning to attend Alumni Weekend are encouraged to register for the annual Blue Hen 5K walk and run, which will be held Sunday morning, June 5.

June 6-9: Food and culture series

The 20th annual June Lecture Series at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UD in Wilmington will be held June 6-9. Titled 'June a la Carte,' this year's program focuses on great political documents, feminism, world politics and a Newark cuisine sampler.

• June 6-9: Food and culture series
• Through June 30: 'Saving White Clay Creek'
• July 22: WWE Heatwave Tour
• Through Sept. 16: Women of color in academia

The session, “A Blueprint for Collective Action: The Delaware Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder,” will be held from noon-1 p.m., Monday, April 29, at the Center for Disabilities Studies, 461 Wyoming Rd., Newark.

CDS is providing leadership on the two-year planning grant that is supporting this project. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, the initiative has focused on gathering information from families and self-advocates and bringing statewide stakeholders together to develop a plan for services for individuals with ASD across the lifespan. The expected long-term outcome of the strategic plan is to assure that all Delawareans with ASD have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to live independent and interdependent lives within the community. 

The Lunchtime Learning series is free and open to the public. 

Contact Katie Hoffman at khoffman@udel.edu or 302-831-3632 to register. Please reply by April 22 if you need an accommodation. Participants are welcome to bring bag lunches. Water and snacks will be provided. Please plan to arrive before noon so the program can start on time.

Center for Disabilities Studies

The Center for Disabilities Studies in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013. As a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, CDS supports the well-being, inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities and their families. The mission of the center is to enhance the lives of individuals and families through education, prevention, service and research related to disabilities. CDS promotes independence and productivity so individuals and families can fully participate in the life of their communities in Delaware and beyond. For further information, visit www.udel.edu/cds or call 302-831-6974. The CDS Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/UdelCDS.