Brenda Smith Miles, Nationally Recognized Authority on Subject, Will Present in Kelly Theatre
West Liberty University’s College of Education presents Brenda Smith Myles, a nationally recognized authority on Autism and Aspergers Syndrome, on Monday, April 11 in the Kelly Theatre.
Miles comes to WLU just days after WV’s acting Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law Landmark Legislation Governing Autism Care.
“Dealing with special needs in the classroom is one of the top challenges facing educators today,” said Dr. Keely Camden, dean of the college. “Brenda Smith Myles brings to West Liberty a highly valued perspective in working with special needs students.”
A morning session from 8:30 a.m. to noon will address planning programs for students with ASD and social skills (verbal, nonverbal child and those with Aspergers Syndrome).
The afternoon session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. is devoted to the “Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Rules in Social Situations.” The Hidden Curriculum refers to the set of rules or guidelines that are often not directly taught but are assumed to be known. This session contains items that impact social interactions, school performance, and sometimes health and well-being.
The curriculum also includes unspoken rules, slang, metaphors, body language etc. While this information may be intuitive for some individuals, it is not for those with autism or other special needs. This session includes practical tips for teaching these hidden social needs to children and adults and stresses the importance of making these a part of everyday life.
At the end of the session, participants will be able to define the hidden curriculum and explain the hidden curriculum’s applicability to schools, communities and homes. They will be able to identify hidden curriculum areas and items across preschool, middle school, high school, and adulthood.
For more information on this presentation or Autism and Aspergers Syndrome please contact the College of Education at (304) 336-8247.