Blue Skyes over Autism Education Event

Saturday, June 13th, 2015
10 am - Noon
@ the Verne Cox Center

 5200 Burke Road, Pasadena TX

ARD ~ Question and Answer Session

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The Arc of the Gulf Coast supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in their quest for self-determination, ensuring that they have meaningful lives in the communities where they live, learn, work, play and worship - responding to their needs, one person at a time.

Lynn Akins from The Arc will conduct parent training aimed at helping Autism families better prepare for ARDs.

Lynn recently retired after 32 rewarding years in education. Much of that time she was in the classroom working with students with significant instructional challenges. The final years of her career were spent in leadership roles including ARD facilitation, special education department chair, professional development, instructional coaching and administration.

Lynn has always enjoyed a collegial relationship with parents and often acted as a parent and student advocate ensuring effective programming for all students. One of her particular areas of expertise has been in the development of quality transition plans. Lynn was a participant in early development of the person centered planning partnerships in Brazoria County. She has developed and presented professional development on best practices in transition at both local and national levels.

Lynn is a strong proponent of assisting parents and students in authentic participation in the ARD process. She has been at the forefront of training students to actively participate and lead appropriate parts of the ARD/IEP process. Lynn knows that the way to facilitate effective planning is to have all parties participate in a meaningful manner.

Lynn holds teaching certifications in both general and special education as well as principal's certification. Currently she is employed as an advocate for Arc of the Gulf Coast in Alvin.  She was born and raised in Brazoria County and continues to make this her home. Her goal is to continue to use her expertise to assist parents obtain quality education for their children