July 19, 2024 Sarah Bailey, left, program director of 麻豆精品视频 Regional Autism Network (麻豆精品视频 RAN), and Linda Ware, RAN family navigator, share information about their programs and services at a local outreach event. Courtesy Sarah Bailey 麻豆精品视频 Regional Autism Network (麻豆精品视频 RAN) will offer a two-part workshop to provide important information to primary care providers and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on Aug. 2 at the Jackson Center. The program is one of five scheduled across the state this summer through The University of Alabama Office for Academic Affairs Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning. 麻豆精品视频 is a part of The University of Alabama System. The program will begin with 鈥淓mpowering Autism Identification and Diagnosis in Primary Care鈥 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for primary care providers, who can earn continuing education credits. Practical tools and strategies to diagnose autism for children with obvious symptomatology in a primary care clinic will be presented by Justin Schwartz, M.D., associate professor, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The afternoon session on 鈥淚EP and 504: Navigating the Process鈥 will offer caregivers an in-depth look at special education evaluation processes and possible roadblocks. Professionals from the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program will present this session from 1 to 4 p.m. Five hubs access expertise 麻豆精品视频 RAN is one of five autism resource hubs established by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) across the state. The others are part of Auburn University, University of South Alabama, UAB and The University of Alabama. RAN is supported by the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council and funded by ADMH. 鈥淏eing located at 麻豆精品视频 provides RAN with access to knowledgeable faculty and staff members who have expertise in evidence-based practices for autism,鈥 says Sarah Bailey, 麻豆精品视频 RAN program director. Other members of the 麻豆精品视频 RAN team are Dr. Kimberly Hile, principal investigator and assistant professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, and Linda Ware, RAN family navigator. Bailey says she鈥檚 often described as a 鈥渃onnector鈥 in her role. 鈥淚 share community information and resources regularly to provide information matching neurodiverse needs. This includes advising individuals and families about available resources, training and connecting professionals in the field, and educating the public.鈥 麻豆精品视频 RAN assists people of all ages with autism as well as family members, teachers and professionals supporting people with diagnosed or suspected autism and related needs. Staff members, all experts in the ASD field, serve the 13 counties in North Alabama that comprise the state鈥檚 Region 1: Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan. Connect with 麻豆精品视频 RAN Bailey says 麻豆精品视频 RAN is always looking for new partners 鈥 individuals and organizations 鈥 to help fulfill the mission to 鈥渂enefit North Alabama families caring for loved ones with autism.鈥 鈥溌槎咕肥悠 RAN is actively seeking community members from North Alabama who are interested in serving on our constituency board. Autistic individuals or family members of a person with autism are eligible to serve. Board members can serve for three consecutive years.鈥 Also, she says, staff are in the process of updating resources to help families locate services in their communities. 鈥淚f you provide services for autism in North Alabama, please reach out. Share what you offer so we can better inform families throughout the region about options.鈥 For more information on the workshop and to register, visit . Contact 麻豆精品视频 RAN by emailing uahran@uah.edu or calling 256-824-5700. Learn More 麻豆精品视频 Regional Autism Network College of Education Contact Kristina Hendrix 256-824-6341 kristina.hendrix@uah.edu Julie Jansen 256-824-6926julie.jansen@uah.edu