In response to the needs of the children and families of this area, the Auglaize County Educational Service Center hired an Autism Coordinator to assist in ensuring the provision of appropriate services for children with a diagnosis of autism. Our big news this spring is our collaborative effort with Bittersweet Farms of Whitehouse, OH.   In 2005, Bittersweet Farms acquired an 80 acre farm in rural Allen County.  After careful consideration and planning, we have collaboratively developed a program for high school age students focusing on :

• Social Skills

• Vocational Skills

• Life Skills

For more information on the Bittersweet philosophy, visit their website at bittersweetfarms.org.  For information on this innovative program, contact Kelly Schattschneider at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

While the autism program continues to be a work in progress, the role of the coordinator includes:

Supervision of classrooms designed for children with autism.  As of the 2007/2008 school year, we will have four classrooms designed for children with autism.

Locations and staff are as follows:

Primary classroom – St. Joseph School, Wapakoneta, OH -- Teacher:  Colette Anthony  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Primary classroom – St. Joseph School, Wapakoneta, OH -- Teacher; Aaron Lusk This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Intermediate classroom – Minster Middle School, Minster, OH -- Teacher: Helen Silber This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

High School Vocational Unit – Shawnee, OH -- Teacher:Cari Rohrbach-Fisher  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Resource for Teachers and Paraprofessionals      

• Adapting curricula

• Coordinating Training

Resource for Parents

• Support/collaboration group

• Coordinating training

Ensuring appropriate services for children with autism :

• Ongoing observation and assessment

• Assist with developing IEP and appropriate goals

In addition, long term goals for the Autism program include:

• Developing a web-site for teachers and parents

• Developing a library of resources

• Researching options for educating children with autism

• Attending conferences, workshops, and trainings related to teaching children with autism  

For more information please contact:

Kelly Carlson Schattschneider, M. Ed

1045 Dearbaugh Avenue, Suite #2

Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895  Fax: (419) 738-1267 Phone: (419) 738-3422 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it