Ashland University Signs Agreement with Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence

1/14/13 ASHLAND, Ohio - Ashland University’s Professional Development Services has finalized an exclusive agreement to provide on-line professional development graduate credit for the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).

“We are very excited about this partnership and view it as an extension of the work we currently do in the school districts across the state,” said Dr. Gene Linton, executive director of professional development at Ashland University. “OCALI is an outstanding organization and we will be the sole provider of college credit for this program.”

Linton said students can begin taking the online classes through OCALI beginning today, the start of spring semester. Those who are interested in the program can call Linton at 419.289.5921 or go to the website at www.ashland.edu/professionals.

“This agreement will now make college credit available for the professional development intervention specialist, paraprofessionals, speech/language professionals and teachers who need to stay current with this growing population of students,” Linton said.

OCALI services families, educators and professionals working with students with autism and low-incident disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments and traumatic brain injuries.

OCALI has been providing “The Autism Internet Modules” (AIM) since 2007. OCALI currently has more than 95,000 uses of these modules located in all 50 states and 136 countries around the world.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.