Tri-State Webinar: The Power of Peers: Supporting Relationships and Learning for Students with Disabilities

Course description

Description: 

Educational research has clearly identified the importance of peer relationships as a key factor in student engagement, reducing problem behavior, and school completion. The critical differences for students with developmental disabilities is that friendships often remain elusive during and after high school. During this webinar participants will learn practical strategies for implementing peer support arrangements to support students with autism in inclusive classrooms, as well as facilitating peer network interventions to build social connections throughout the school day.

Learner Objectives:

Participants will:

• Describe the importance of involving peers in efforts to expand social relationships and learning
• Identify how peer support and peer network interventions can benefit students with and without disabilities
• Learn practical strategies for recruiting students, developing effective intervention plans, orienting students to their roles, and supporting them as they work together

Who Should Attend: 

Administrators, general education teachers, specialist teachers, family members, paraprofessionals, special education professionals, and related service providers.

Presenter Information: 

Erik Carter, Ph.D., is Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University. His research and teaching focuses on evidence-based strategies for supporting access to the general curriculum and promoting valued roles in school, work, community, and congregational settings for children and adults with intellectual disability, autism, and multiple disabilities.

Prior to receiving his doctorate, Dr. Carter worked as a high school teacher and transition specialist. He has published widely in the areas of educational and transition services for children and youth with disabilities, including nearly 200 articles and chapters as well as 6 books. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, the Early Career Award from the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Patricia L. Sitlington Research in Transition Award from the Division on Career Development and Transition, the Research Award from the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and the Young Professional Award from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. He is an active member of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and invests in collaborative partnerships across the university, state, and country. You can learn more about his work at www.erikwcarter.com.

Presently, Dr. Carter works closely with undergraduate and graduate students across a series of research and technical assistance projects addressing:

• The transition after high school
• Systems changes to integrated employment
• Faith, disability, and inclusive congregational supports
• Inclusive postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disability
• Inclusive education and access to the general curriculum 
• Peer relationships and peer mediated support models
• Multi-tiered systems of supports

Learning Objectives

Refund Policy

Registration may be cancelled up to 14 days prior to the event for a full refund. Cancellations received within 14 days of the event will not be refunded. No-show registrations will also not be refunded.

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