Dr. Pam Gent, professor of special education at Clarion University, represented Clarion University and higher education at the national town hall meeting "Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism."

            The national town hall meeting, held simultaneously in 16 cities on Nov. 13, included 1,000 participants selected for their knowledge of and concern with the needs of the growing population of adults with autism. Groups across the nation worked to establish national priorities and solutions to create meaningful futures for adults with autism.

            Overall priorities established during the town hall meeting included increasing the availability of qualified and motivated personnel to support adults with autism, creating and expanding career development and vocational skills training programs for individuals with autism while they are still in school, establishing funding streams for people with autism, supporting residential models that are person-centered, and educating first responders about the challenging behaviors individuals with autism may exhibit in dangers situations. 

            Gent, who holds a certificate in behavioral intervention in autism, notes that Clarion University is uniquely suited to advance these priorities given the backgrounds of the members of the department of special education and rehabilitative sciences. The department has already integrated information about career education and vocational programming for individuals with autism in all of its personnel preparation programs.

            Dr. Rick Sabousky, chair of the department of special education and rehabilitative sciences, said, "Clarion University's Department of Special Education and Rehabilitative Sciences is one of the few departments in the commonwealth that has the transdisciplinary capability and capacity to reach across school and adult services so as to create meaningful futures for adults on the autism spectrum."

            Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.