TROY, Mich., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Caity Bryant was diagnosed in 1998 with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). At age three, Caity was non-verbal, showed no interest in other children, and had temper tantrums about everything. Things started to change when her mother, Marianne Bryant, heard Linda Hodgdon speak at a local conference about the positive effects of using visual strategies. Until then, Marianne feared Caity would never talk if she saw pictures. Linda helped her recognize that visual supports could be used to help Caity understand communication better and improve her behavior.
"Children with autism understand what they see, better than what they hear," says Linda Hodgdon, director of Cornerstone Communication Center. "Visual strategies won't fix every problem the students have, but they will provide a valuable framework to support their lives."
After Linda's presentation, Marianne walked away with ideas that she put to work immediately with Caity. Nine years later, Caity is an honor roll student and active in drama at her school.
"Caity would not be where she is today without visuals. Linda Hodgdon is the one who headed us in the right direction," states Marianne Bryant. "Her practical, easy-to-implement techniques have made an incredible impact on my life and my daughter's life."
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, with 10-17% annual growth. One child in 150 births will be diagnosed with autism. In ten years, the expected annual cost of autism will be $200-400 Billion.
"Families and educators are desperately searching for solutions for their child's challenges. Sharing information that really makes a dramatic difference is what keeps me going," states Hodgdon. "My passion is providing valuable tools that help students and their families become better communication partners."
Cornerstone Communication Center has received so many calls from people asking when Linda is coming to their city that they decided to take her show on the road. The Visual Strategies on Tour will run the next six months in the following seven locations in the United States:
Schaumburg (Chicago), IL October 5, 2007
King of Prussia (Philadelphia), PA October 26, 2007
Dallas, TX November 8, 2007
Richmond, VA November 30, 2007
Kansas City, MO January 11, 2008
Santa Ana, California January 25, 2008
Murfreesboro (Nashville), TN February 8, 2008
The target audience for the workshop is: Speech-Language Pathologists, education professionals, paraprofessionals, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and family members of children with ASD.
The conference fee is $197 per person and includes a Visual Tool Box with resources valued over $100. Register 4 people and the fifth person attends free. To register, visit http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/ontour.html or telephone (248)879-2598. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and a continental breakfast will be served. The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP has more than 25 years experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. A popular international presenter, she has been labeled the "Queen of Visuals" for pioneering the development of visual strategies for supporting students with communication and behavior challenges. Hodgdon is the author of the best- selling books, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication and Solving Behavior Problems in Autism, which are two of the most recommended books in the field of autism. For more information, visit http://www.lindahodgdon.com/.
Founded in 2000, Cornerstone Communication Center provides products, training and consultation services that help improve communication for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related communication, behavior and social skills learning needs. For more information, visit http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/.
Cornerstone Communication Center
