04/08/2010
Mary McDonald, who directs outreach, consulting and research at the Eden II School/The Genesis Programs and Rutgers University, will present a workshop on social skills development in people on the autism spectrum on Thursday, April 15, at SUNY Cortland.
Her two-hour program, titled “Using Technology-based Interventions to Promote Social Skills in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),” begins at 7 p.m. in Sperry Center, Room 105. Due to interest in this seminar, the location was changed from the Park Center Hall of Fame Room.
Geared to professionals in the fields of special education, autism and developmental disabilities, the event is free and open to the public.
McDonald will outline a variety of technology-based interventions that can be used to promote social skills in students with ASD. She will share examples including digital social stories, tactile prompts and pagers, and video modeling while reviewing ways in which technology is used to promote independence in social settings.
McDonald has extensive experience developing and implementing programs to teach social skills to people on the autism spectrum and to deal with many of the problems and obstacles experienced by such children. A consultant on social skills development among children with autism, she offers many workshops in autism, including training for teachers and students.
A frequent published author in the autism field, she presents at local and professional meetings, conferences and workshops.
A certified behavior analyst at the doctoral level, McDonald oversees many programs for Eden II School/The Genesis. These include in-district classes for children with autism; family support programs, overnight respite, summer camp, after-school programs and Saturday programs; supported inclusion; and supported volunteer programs.
McDonald is a special assistant professor in special education at Hofstra University. She earned a doctorate in psychology and learning processes from Queens College.
The workshop is sponsored by the Campus Artist and Lecture Series, the psychology honorary society Psi Chi, and the Psychology Department.
For more information, contact Paul Luyben, Department of Psychology, by e-mail with the words “McDonald Talk” written in the subject line, or by telephone at (607) 753-2042.