"April is the perfect month to let the community know about the types of services and programs that are available at the Center for Autism," said Michele Adubato, the deputy director of the North Ward Center who heads the Center for Autism. "We feel these workshops will provide valuable information for people in the urban community who might otherwise not have access to it."
On Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m., the Center will host an overview of Mental Health Resources and Family Crisis Response. The two-hour session will be facilitated by Dr. Lucy Esralew, the director of statewide clinical consultation and training at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Donna Icovino, a family advocate and co-chair of the Dual Diagnosis Task Force. The session is intended for families and professionals to learn about resources available for individuals with mental health and developmental disability issues.
On Wednesday, April 21, the Center is hosting autism awareness training for first responders led by by Gary Weitzen, the executive director of Parents of Autistic Children (POAC). The two-hour sessions will begin at noon for police, 3 p.m. for firefighters and emergency medical technicians and 6 p.m. for parents, caregivers and school personnel.
POAC is a non-profit group that provides training, services and outreach and support to children and adults with autism and their families and professionals who serve them.
Weitzen said the training will make law enforcement officers and first response professionals aware of the condition of autism, its symptoms, and the characteristics commonly seen in individuals who are affected.
"Research shows that persons with autism and other developmental disabilities are approximately seven times more likely to come in contact with law enforcement professionals than a member of the general population," said Weitzen, who has trained officers throughout the state, including Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who was the Monmouth County Sheriff at the time.
On Thursday, April 29 at 9 a.m., Dr. Isabel Carotenuto, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, will be holding a three-hour seminar at the Center for Autism about autism spectrum disorders' evaluation and diagnosis for health care professionals.
Carotenuto, who has more than 20 years experience in the autism field, specializes in early diagnosis, evaluation and long-range treatment of children within the autism spectrum disorder. She was the director of child development at the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She also was the medical director of the Child Evaluation Center at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison.
"In keeping with our family's tradition of serving the urban community, my dream is being realized as we build the Center for Autism," Adubato said. "After 20 years of working with families and children with autism and pervasive developmental disabilities, I am proud to offer my kids the quality of services provided by The North Ward Center."
Founded in 2010, the Center for Autism has plans to provide an array of services for people with autism and developmental delays including, family support programs and advocacy, targeted case management, adult services and support, evaluation and diagnostic referral services, early intervention referral services and transition from school to adult life resources. In addition, the Center for Autism is seeking to create the first charter school in New Jersey that will serve students on the autism spectrum.
The Center for Autism is part of The North Ward Center, a non-profit community development organization in Newark founded by Stephen N. Adubato 40 years ago. The North Ward Center runs a preschool for 680 children, an adult day care center that serves up to 120 daily, recreation programs for more than 3,500 children, English-language training. The North Ward Center also founded Robert Treat Academy, a Blue Ribbon K-8 charter school with two campuses in Newark.
