Family Resource Center on Disabilities is happy to  kick off Autism Awareness Month with two powerful webinars presented by Autism Speaks’Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region, Colleen Shinn.  These webinars are a two part of series:

Part One will focus on understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Resources available to parents of children with Autism.

Part Two will focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and behavior.

Presenter: Colleen Shinn is the Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region in the Family Services division of Autism Speaks. Prior to joining Autism Speaks, she most recently worked for Easter Seals as the Training Specialist and Manager of The Autism Program (TAP) Service Centers for Chicago and Rockford. She was responsible for the development and implementation of curriculum and staff development, comprehensive professional training for employees, families and professionals, supervision of full and part time employees, interns and clinical staff, local and national legislative activities, coordinating and leading the Autism Strategic Planning Committee, and extensive community outreach

Ms. Shinn is formally trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS,) and DIR Floor time. She is an active member on the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities through the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, the Midwest Autism Consortium, and the Illinois Autism Task Force.  Ms. Shinn is fluent in Sign Language and is a Board Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with an extensive background in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has more than 30 years of experience in Early Intervention, Inclusion, and Early Childhood Special Education. She has presented both locally and nationally on topics related to Autism.