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Strategies for children with autism topic of workshop
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COURTESY PHOTO Shown is the Great Bend Pilot Club Autism workshop committee. It includes: Back row, left to right, Nancy Sundahl, Amanda Staab, Barbara Watson, Dan Watson and Rhonda Knudson; and seated, Betty Schneider, Janice walker, Ros Neeland, Marcia Johnson, “Star” the Sunflower EEC facility dog and Alyson Burkhart.

The Pilot Club of Great Bend is sponsoring a Strategies for Children with Autism at Home and in the Classroom Workshop. The club applied for a matching grant from Pilot International Founders Fund. Upon receiving this grant, the Pilot Club of Great Bend will match this amount to fund their workshop and bring this vital message and education to our community and the surrounding area. 

The workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Barton Community College in Great Bend. This workshop is open to the public. educators, professionals, caregivers, and families affected by autism are encouraged to attend.

Pilot Club of Great Bend will celebrate World Awareness Day, by sponsoring this workshop. World Awareness Day is observed each year on April 2.  World Autism Awareness Day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a light on autism as a growing global health crisis. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 54 children in the United States has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Input and support from Pilot Club of Great Bend members, Barton County Special Services, Great Bend USD 428 School District staff, Sunflower Early Education Center, plus Kansas Children’s Service League - Healthy Families have supported and assisted in the planning of this workshop. 

Club members said the purpose of this workshop is to aid family members and professionals to cope with the daily challenges children with autism face, plus decrease their stress and anxiety levels while improving their coping skills during educational and play activities.

This workshop fulfills the mission of Pilot International. Their mission is to help those with brain related injuries and disorders, and ultimately improving their lives in the communities in which we live, club members said.

Keynote speaker is Beth Aune from California. Additional speakers are Jenny Halstead, Melinda McDaniel, Dr. Linda Heitzman-Powell and a panel of family members of children with autism.

For more information on this workshop, visit Pilot Club of Great Bend’s website, www.greatbendpilotclub.com, eventbrite.com or contact Ros Neeland, 620-786-0243.