PCC Teaming Again with Greenville’s Aces for Autism

WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College and Aces for Autism are teaming up again this fall to provide training to individuals who work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Starting Aug. 18, the college will offer “EDU 149: Autism Technical Concepts,” a three-credit course on applied behavior analysis used to minimize certain behaviors in persons with ASD and teach them new skills. Students who take the course will complete weekly practical requirements at Greenville’s Aces for Autism Center, a non-profit ministry established in 2014 to serve eastern North Carolinians impacted by autism.

Melissa Rees, chair of PCC’s Education and Child Development Department, said students who complete EDU 149 may sit for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Exam, a nationally-recognized paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. She says there are many job openings in North Carolina and nationwide for individuals with associate degrees in Education and Child Development and/or RBT certificates.

“I would recommend EDU 149 to anyone interested in working with children with ASD – students, teachers, teacher assistants, psychologists,” Rees said. “It would also be ideal for parents of children with ASD, to help them ensure intervention strategies are practiced as often as possible.”

In addition to being an elective for PCC students pursuing Education and Child Development degrees, Rees says “Autism Technical Concepts” is part of a 16-credit Autism Certificate the college offers. She noted the class may also be taken as a special credit, “stand alone” course.

For more information or to sign up for “Autism Technical Concepts,” prospective students may call Rees at (252) 493-7276 or email mdrees975@my.pittcc.edu.

07/22/2022