PATRICIA A



PATRICIA A. AMOS, M.A.

EXPERIENCE

PRIVATE CONSULTANT 1993 - Present

Work with families to develop positive behavior supports for children with autism in inclusive home, school, and community settings; assist families to develop I.E.P.s and coordinate supports with child's I.E.P. team members; assist families to access and prevail in mediation and due process; provide inservices, training materials and information to agencies and schools; assist in development of strategies and supports for postsecondary education and community living;.

YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAMS, Inc. 2002- Present

Inclusion Specialist -- Work with autism program staff and administration to assure continuous quality development of direct services for children and youth with autism; develop statements of program philosophy and mission, web site materials, brochures; and parent guides; write provider applications and grants; develop staff training materials; present YAP trainings, webinars, and inservices; meet regularly with YAP Autism Task Force.

Instructor/Trainer – Work with Youth Advocates Autism Institute to deliver external trainings at conferences, to community organizations, and to college students seeking a minor or certificate (ASSET program 2009).

GASKIN SETTLEMENT PANEL

Panel Selection and Review Committee and LRE Committee Member 2005 – 2010

Responsibility for selection and oversight of plaintiff representatives to a 5-year Settlement Agreement with the State Department of Education; participate in development of documents and research for Panel Committee on Least Restrictive Environment; serve as member of plaintiff-PDE Mediation Team.

COALITION OF INCLUSION ADVOCATES 2007 - Present

Work with parents and professionals statewide to increase inclusion of PA students with disabilities; work on Developmental Disabilities Council grant designed to overcome the prejudice and stigma that lead to segregation of students with severe disabilities.

ALLIANCE TO PREVENT RESTRAINT, AVERSIVE INTERVENTIONS, AND SECLUSION (APRAIS)

Steering Committee Member 2004 - Present

Organize and develop national coalition of advocacy groups dedicated to elimination of abusive treatments; develop training guide; develop web site; present trainings; coordinate national legislative and regulatory input; promote passage of Federal reform bill introduced 5/09.

TASH (formerly The Association for persons with Severe Handicaps)

Chair, Human Rights Committee June 2011 - Present

Co-Chair, Human Rights Committee December 2009 – June 2011

Responsible for furthering legislative and policy components of TASH 5-year Strategic Plan on human rights.

Assistant Chair, Development Committee December 2009 – Present

Organize and develop fundraising strategies, campaigns, and strategic planning.

Board Member, ex oficio June 2011- Present

Board Member; Vice President for Development December 2003 – December 2009

Assist with organization of an international research and advocacy organization, including annual conferences, news magazine, and fundraising strategies; member of Government Affairs Committee with responsibility for national project dedicated to eliminating use of aversives and restraint from schools and children’s programs; member of TASH Executive Committee; member of TASH Diversity Committee; member of TASH of Pennsylvania Education Committee.

FAMILY ALLIANCE TO STOP ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Executive Board Member & Secretary 2002 - Present

Assist in the development of new organization dedicated to ending the mis-use of restraint and other forms of client abuse; advocate for legislative and regulatory remedies; provide mailings and information packets; supply materials for web site; assist in the research and preparation of testimony to state and federal agencies; organize letter-writing and media campaigns; coordinated New Jersey Statehouse vigils for Matthew’s Law and Danielle’s Law; assisted with “Lunch + Learn” legislative information day; coordinate “Free Frankie” Campaign.

AUTISM LIVING AND WORKING, Inc. (ALAW)

Advisory Board November 2001 - Present

Work with board of directors to determine policy and direction and implement development strategies for self-determination housing and supported employment pilot program; develop parent training materials to introduce program goals and design.

HILL TOP SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM

Member, Curriculum Development Team 2001 - 2003

Identify curriculum development needs and plan changes for a small alternative school serving students with learning differences in grades 6 through 12.

CHILDREN INJURED BY RESTRAINT AND AVERSIVES (CIBRA)

Professional Advisor 1997 - Present

Assist as advisor, editor, and information resource for international web-based network of persons seeking help and support on abuse-related issues.

THE AUTISM NATIONAL COMMITTEE (AUTCOM)

Member, Government Affairs Committee December 2009 – Present

Develop positions and responses at federal level; represent AutCom on APRAIS Coalition; work with CCD to represent autism issues.

President November 1993 - November 1995

Directed development of new national information and referral network on human rights and civil rights of people with autism; organized legislative advocacy efforts through the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities; updated bylaws and presided over board development; represented AutCom positions and priorities during formation of National Institutes of Health research agenda.

Publications Editor; Information and Referral Chair November 1991 - November 1999

Chaired and co-chaired planning of four national conferences; developed organizational literature; oversaw development of AutCom web site; wrote and edited national newsletter, The Communicator; answered information requests from parents and professionals; interfaced with the National Institutes of Health regarding AutCom's role in ongoing autism research.

Conference Chair 1994-1998

Organized successful national conferences in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and two in Washington, D.C.

AUTISM SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY IN PENNSYLVANIA (ASAP)

Member, Steering Committee January 1989 - Present

Filled key roles in the founding and organization of an incorporated, 501(c)(3) statewide autism advocacy group; wrote and edited state newsletter, ON TASK, from 1989 - 1996; assisted in grant-writing and the presentation of annual state conferences; developed widely-circulated brochures “Look Again,” “Through a Parent’s Eyes,” and “Seeing Movement”; interfaced with Office of Mental Retardation (Everyday Lives) and Department of Education (Autism Focus Group) on service delivery issues; continue to assist parents with I.E.P. issues and provide inservice opportunities to teaching staff; acted as ASAP representative to Gaskin class action lawsuit from 1994 to 1/05 settlement; represent ASAP during 5-year implementation of Gaskin Settlement Agreement.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM, PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY

Community Advisory Board January 1998 - Present

Assist in development of public awareness for new degree program; link students with community members in need of O.T. services and support during fulfillment of practicum requirements.

TRI-STATE CONSORTIUM ON POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS

Member, Advisory Board September 1996 - 2000

Researched and wrote What We Are Learning About Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a 79-page guide published through the Temple University Institute on Disabilities/University Affiliated Program in cooperation with the Tri-State Consortium; reviewed and assisted with development of training materials.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP

Member, Strategic Planning Team September 1995 - September 1997

Developed recommendations for best practices in teaching and evaluation.

PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL

Chair, Social Roles Committee and member, Executive Committee April 1992 - April 1997

Developed, implemented, and monitored Federal grants program for Pennsylvania's model projects in the employment and leadership development of people with developmental disabilities; participated in decision-making committee governing the 20-member Council; presented orientations for new Council members; planned retreats, project gatherings, and roundtables.

Member, Child Development Committee April 1991 - April 1992

Assisted in the development of R.F.P.s for model programs to assist children with developmental disabilities.

Proposal Reviewer 1991 - 2008

Review and rate grant proposals on as-needed basis.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES, INC.

Board Member September 1992 - September 1995

Developed materials for publicity, fundraising, and public education; prepared Annual Report..

Professional Advisory Board Member September 1995 - Present

Consult with board on organizational and parent education issues.

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

Board Member June 1988 - June 1994

Developed educational materials; interfaced with local service providers to promote employment services for people with autism/PDD; edited and disseminated organizational newsletter for seven years; organized and deployed Speakers Bureau; developed annual Teacher's Scholarship; organized book donations for local libraries; organized fundraisers.

President June 1985 - June 1988

Organized information and referral system, developed and edited newsletter; developed information file and standardized mailings for various interest groups; conducted membership drives; wrote grant proposals; organized fundraisers; organized two public conferences annually; gave public presentations; presented legislative testimony; assembled Professional Advisory Board; developed and computerized mailing list; handled emergency calls from parents.

FORMAL PRESENTATIONS over past 15 years:

Experiencing Autism: 3 Lives, 3 Eras (panel) -- Office of Mental Retardation Annual Conference

Inclusion at the Middle School Level -- Living and Learning School Inclusion Workshops (series)

Movement Differences in Autism/PDD – Office of Mental Retardation Everyday Lives Conference

Movement Differences in the Preschool Child -- Ken-Crest Early Intervention Center, Roxborough

If School is the Answer, What was the Question? -- Keynote, Massachusetts Interchange on Education

Why Our Schools Need Us -- Partners in Policymaking, Temple University

Understanding Your State Agencies -- Partners in Policymaking, Temple University

Movement Differences and Early Intervention -- OMR Early Intervention Conference

I.Q.s: What They Don’t Tell Us -- Networks for Training and Development, Philadelphia

The Person, the Brain, and Behaviors -- Networks for Training and Development, Philadelphia

Movement and Sensory Regulation in Autism -- State Teleconference, PA Instructional Support System

Parenting a Child with Sensory Regulation Difficulties; and

How Do People Really Learn? -- Autism National Committee 1998 National Conference

Many Teachers: What we have learned about autism -- Keynote, NE Regional Conference on Autism

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Not just “out of the blue”: and

Beyond Behaviorism: How People Learn -- Autism National Committee 1999 National Conference

A Developmental Approach to Supporting Individuals with Sensorimotor Differences – training day for Therapeutic Support Staff, YAP Inc.

Two Systems, Three Choices -- Presentation to Autism Living and Working statewide training event

Self-determination: The Heart of Advocacy -- TASH 2002 International Conference

Aversives and Restraints: What Are the Issues? – TASH 2003 International Conference

Family Matters – TASH 2004 International Conference

Coercive Interventions 101 – TASH 2005 Annual Conference

Inclusion: Where We Are Now – 2005 presentation to Gaskin Settlement Plaintiff representatives

Writing Effective Regulations to Eliminate Coercive Interventions – 2005 TASH Teleconference

Where is Behavior? -- Keynote, New England TASH Annual Conference, 2006

What Makes Inclusion Work? -- Workshop, New England TASH Annual Conference

Accommodating Students with Sensorimotor Differences – 2006 Inservice, Chester County I.U.

Questioning the Myths about “Behavior” and Autism -- Keystone Services Annual Conference, 2006

Keeping Families Together: A Parent Perspective – 2006 PAR Conference

Keeping Johnny Included: A parent and an advocate reflect – YAP Parent Training Day, 2006

Into the Light: Ending Coercive Interventions and Institutionalization – 2006 TASH Town Hall

Ten Myths About Inclusion (part of Gaskin Settlement presentation) – 2006 TASH Conference

Who’s in Control? – 2006 Valued Lives Conference, Washington State

Accommodating the Sensorimotor Differences of People with Autism – 2006 Valued Lives Conference, Washington State

Keeping Families Together: A Parent Perspective (YAP presentation) – 2007 San Diego Autism Institute

It’s About Relationships (plenary session) – 2007 San Diego Autism Institute

Accommodating the Sensorimotor Differences of People with Autism (Beginning and Advanced Workshops) -- 2007 Valued Lives Conference, Washington State

Why Relationships? – OCALI Annual Autism Conference, 2007

What’s New in Autism: Parent Perspective (co-presented) -- PAR Conference Oct. 2007

Accommodating the Sensorimotor Differences of Children with Autism (Beginning and Advanced Workshops) and Relationships in the Lives of Our Children – RESA 13, West Virginia, Oct. 2007

Accommodating Sensorimotor Differences; Who Are You, and What Do You Do? (Employment issues); Developing Accommodations and Supports – Washington State Department of Developmental Disabilities, March 2008

Eliminating Aversives, Restraint and Seclusion; Accommodating Sensorimotor Differences – Positive Approaches Conference of the Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Council, Sept. 2008

Social Skills 101: Ideas for IEPs (co-presented) – NATTAP/OCALI Conference, 2008

Autism and Mental Health (co-presented) – TASH Conference, Dec. 2008

Positive Approaches to Supporting People with Autism – YAP Workshop from “Your Hopes, Your Rights” series 2009

Rethinking Service Delivery for Youth with Autism (co-presented) – PCCYFS Conference, March 2009

Framework for Relating to Autism as an ASSET (co-presented) -- course offered by Autism Spectrum Services, Education and Training (ASSET), Wheelock College (Boston), August 2009

Parenting with Pride -- YAP workshop in Chambersburg PA, September 2009

Preventing Seclusion and Restraint: What We Know Now -- TASH Conference 2009

The “Free Frankie” Campaign: It Takes a Village –TASH Conference 2009

Positive Behavior Supports workshop – UCP, Lancaster PA, March 2010

Nothing Never Happens – Philadelphia MR/DD presentation, September 2010

Rethinking Autism – Keynote for YAP-PMSD Rethinking Autism Conference 2010

Social Skills 101 – YAP-PMSD Conference session 2010

Imagination and Play on the Autism Spectrum – TASH Conference, December 2010

Keeping Children Safe in Our Schools – TASH Conference, December 2010

Inclusion and Best Practices; Positive Behavior Supports - NJ SPAN all-day workshop Feb, 2011

Autism and Anxiety: From Stress to Success – Blacksburg VA workshop, March 2011

Inclusion and Best Practices; Positive Behavior Supports – YAP all-day workshop April 2011

Preventing Restraint and Seclusion in Our Schools - PEAC Conference, Phila, Oct. 2011

Anxiety and Autism: From Stress to Success – PEAC Conference, Phila. Oct. 2011

What is Autism? 3-day Youth Advocate Programs in-house staff trainings – Sept. and Nov. 2011

Shouldn’t School Be Safe? TASH Pre-conference 1-day workshop, Atlanta Nov. 2011

College Education for Students with Autism - TASH Conference Nov. – Dec. 2011

Anxiety and Autism: From Stress to Success – TASH Conference Nov. Dec. 2011

Shouldn’t School Be Safe? – Lower Merion School System Parents Organization, Dec. 2011

Shouldn’t School Be Safe? – West Chester Right to Education Task Force, Jan. 2012

EDUCATION

University of Maryland College Park, MD

B.A., Anthropology

University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA

M.A., Folklife Studies (Cultural Anthropology)

Departmental Fellowship

University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

M.A., Comparative Literature

University Fellowship

Continuing education as the parent of four children,

three of whom are creatively adapting to sensorimotor differences.

AWARDS:

First Annual Herb Lovett Memorial Award (1998)

TASH Positive Approaches Award (2003)

Youth Advocate Programs Leadership Award (2010)

REFERENCES: Furnished upon request Updated: 1/12

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