Presentation Addresses Visual Strategies for Language Development

Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center
News and Press Releases

For more information, contact:
Kim Horyn, Director
Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center
646-341-3043
khoryn@autismspeaks.org [1]

Presentation Addresses Visual Strategies for Language Development

The Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center will provide a presentation, Let's Get Visual!,6:30 pm, Wednesday, April 30th in the Nantucket High School's Large Group Instruction Room. Marie Duggan, Family Technology Liaison for Boston Children's Hospital's Autism Language Program will present.

This presentation, which is free, will specifically address the development of language through visual strategies, demonstrate low tech to high tech visual supports in the home, school and community, and describe where this educational component is heading. The workshop, which will include video segments and various samples of visual technology, will allow time for questions and answers.

Ms. Duggan, who is the parent of six children, one with autism, has been actively involved in the field of autism since 1992. She was recently awarded the Margaret L Bauman, MD Award for Excellence in Autism – Outstanding Parent/Professional in a Volunteer Capacity.Marie, along with Dr Howard Shane, was instrumental in the creation of the first “highly innovative technological program for adolescents with Autism” within the City of Boston. Marie has also received many community service awards for her contributions to children with autism in sports and fundraising. In addition to volunteering with Special Olympics, Marie is involved in many Autism organizations throughout Massachusetts and other states. She has presented at numerous conferences on the use of visual supports in the home and community.

Marie has been a member of the Family Advisory Committee at Children's Hospital for over 14 years now and is an active member in the Center for Families as a mentor to newly diagnosed parents of children with autism.

The mission of the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center is to provide current information and comprehensive resources for families, professionals and the community for the purpose of educating and increasing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Resource Center is dedicated to empowering families and individuals impacted by autism to make informed decisions by providing resource information that covers all aspects of autism and ASD, from birth through adult care.

Plans are currently in the works for summer activities for families of children with autism and their friends, including a private viewing of a current movie at the Starlight Theatre, surfing lessons and a picnic at the Boys & Girls Club. Stephen Shore, Ed.D., who has autism and Asperger Syndrome and has written numerous books on these subjects, is scheduled to speak in the Great Hall of the Atheneum in July. To register for Nantucket's 2nd annual Walk for Autism, scheduled to be held August 16th, please go on-line to www.autismspeaks.org/walk [2].

For more information, please contact Kim Horyn, Director, khoryn@autismspeaks.org [3], or call 646-341-3043.

To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org [4].