Riversink Elementary to host Autism Initiative
Madeline Storey and Sarah Moore
By MADELINE STOREY of Wakulla Schools
With stiff competition across more than 15 counties, Riversink Elementary has been selected to participate in a yearlong project with Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism (PEPSA) and the Statewide Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). PEPSA is funded through Florida Department of Education K-12 Public Schools, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, and was introduced to educators and schools of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 1999. The local CARD office operates within The Autism Institute at Florida State University’s College of Medicine.
Charged by Catherine Cutchen, Riversink Elementary has sought to build an exemplary program for Kindergarten- Fifth Grade students with autism. Cutchen worked closely with the classroom teacher, Madeline Storey, to build an environment tailormade for each student who calls Riversink home. The classroom includes a sensory space with fidgets and gross motor activities, flexible seating options, and work cubbies to minimize visual distractions. The classroom utilizes quality evidence-based practices (EBP) like, token economies, behavior specific praise, visual schedules, social narratives, and modeling. The class also includes a dedicated staff of paraprofessionals, including, Sarah Moore. Moore is currently working to become a full-time teacher in the 2023-2024 school year.
The objective of the partnership is to develop and implement effective practices with the guidance and knowledge of a CARD Autism Consultants, Allison Leatzow. Leatzow will assist Storey in identifying areas of need, providing EBP that address those needs, review data collection, and provide support along the way. Leatzow will also train Moore in skills for preservice teachers. Moore will disseminate information throughout the support staff network and help with managing fidelity.
Both Storey and Moore will attend the annual CARD conference in January 2023. The conference will cover topics including, technology, emotional intelligence, and employment outcomes. In May, at the conclusion of the one-year partnership, Storey and Moore will complete a presentation outlining the findings.
Opportunities for Action Research within education is important because as Geoffrey E. Mills explains, in “Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher”, the true beneficiaries are the students in the classroom.