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Autism Certifications
By Richard | July 24, 2008
Students With Autism Require Certified Teachers
Ann Ali | The State Journal
West Virginia’s teachers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for autism training, according to the executive director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University.
Teachers often further their own educations, but West Virginia’s teachers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for autism training, according to the executive director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University.
Large Increase
“We truly are seeing so many more students with autism in the school system; it really is an unusual thing we’re facing,” said Barbara Becker-Cottrill. “We have some fantastic teachers currently, but we’re just really scrambling to catch up with the tremendous demand right now.
“I truly believe it’s just an abnormal increase in the numbers that we’re seeing (of students with autism).”
Education History
Becker-Cottrill said one in 150 students nationwide will be diagnosed with autism.
West Virginia currently offers an autism endorsement on teaching certifications, and if a special education teacher wants that certification, he or she doesn’t have to start from scratch.
“You want someone to be the most highly qualified, but of course that means time and money,” said Liza Cordeiro, spokeswoman for the West Virginia Department of Education. MORE
Topics: Education |