Happy New Year! It is 2016 and it is going to be a beautiful year.
This is our mantra: take the first step.
Ask.
Say yes.
Open the door.
We can do this. I’m so happy you’re here with us. Together we’re better.
The landscape for inclusion is moving and shaking.
Did you feel that earthquake? That seismic shift in inclusion?
It’s a thrilling time for Catholic families who have children with disabilities and wish more than anything that their child could attend Catholic school.
In early December, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati announced with a press release that they will be training six teachers and administrators from St. John the Baptist School in how to educate students with autism.
Yes, this means that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is acknowledging that those students are out there and that they deserve a Catholic education.
This is ground-breaking.
With this education it is important to know that it won’t only help students with autism. Any professional growth you make as an educator SERVES ALL STUDENTS. You get better.
You can’t help but have that expertise seep into the way you teach all the time.
We applaud the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and St. John the Baptist School for this bold step forward. We are standing up and cheering. Loud!
Together we can do this.
Below is the official press release:
December 9, 2015, CINCINNATI – St. John the Baptist School is the first Catholic school to receive training and certification in autism through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards(IBCCES). Six teachers and administrators will complete comprehensive coursework and a credentialing examination, ultimately improving services for students who have autism as well as increasing resources and support for their families in Cincinnati. Parents can rest assured that when they drop their children off theArchdiocese of Cincinnati, administrators have taken the necessary steps for equipping staff with knowledge and a thorough understanding of their child’s particular needs.
The diocesan school is a Preschool – 8 th Grade Catholic Elementary School located in Colerain Township serving the parishes of St. John the Baptist, Corpus Christi, and St. John Neumann.
“Having the autism certification improves the educational experience for Catholic parents, students, and families in the Cincinnati community because it ensures that teachers and staff are highly trained in the best methods to facilitate the education of students with autism spectrum disorders,” Allyse Sonnega, MS.Ed.,Intervention Specialist at St. John the Baptist School, said. “By meeting the needs of the whole child and working within the systems of family, school, and community, we are now equipped to help prepare each of our students to be participating members of society.”
IBCCES trains and certifies professionals who work in therapy centers, schools and specialized-service centers or greater autism awareness in 10 Areas of Autism Competency. On-site and online interactive training affords centers and schools knowledge and strategies for boosting access and exceeding physical, occupational, and educational goals for children and adults with autism.
IBCCES was formed in 2001 and is the leading credentialing organization for professionals in the field of autism and currently offers the Certified Autism Specialist®, Autism Certificate and the Certified Autism Center designations. Autism, commonly known as ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms and impairment levels. According to a 2010 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, 1 in68 children in the US have been diagnosed with ASD. It is five times more common among boys than girls.
“We could not be happier to support Catholic schools by providing these resources for inclusion,” Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman, said, “Schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are already known for high academic standards and a safe, stable and caring environment. The knowledge and credentials provided by the autism certification program enhances the teachers’ abilities to serve all of their students in a way that best meets their needs.”
For more information, please contact Allyse Sonnega at (513)-385-7970 ext 252 or Kristin Chambers at 877-717-6543 ext 2.
About the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and St. John the Baptist School
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati operates hundreds of parishes, schools, hospitals, agencies and institutions inthe greater Cincinnati area. This local church of almost half a million Catholics, founded as a diocese in 1821,is strong in faith and rich in tradition. St. John the Baptist School is a preschool-eighth grade Catholic elementary school within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The school is a partnership between the parishes of St.John the Baptist, Corpus Christi, and St. John Neumann, located on the campus of St. John the Baptist.
About IBCCES
In 2001, IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) first established the industry standards for a Certified Autism Specialist. IBCCES leading standards are now used by organizations all over the world to ensure the highest quality of care and training for professionals in the field ofAutism, with a goal to develop an army of highly trained and certified professionals who can improve the quality of life and education for individuals with Autism.
