District wants to put N.J. grant to good use $15 million up for grabs. Greenwich Twp. seeks to improve autistic program. Wednesday, December 06, 2006 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times GREENWICH TWP. | Schools Superintendent Kevin Brennan hopes that a $125,000 grant can make a difference for the district's autistic children. Gov. Jon Corzine announced $15 million in grant money in October as part of the Governor's Initiative on Autism. Brennan hopes to secure grant money and bolster a program already in place. "We have a very good special education system now," Brennan said. "We're looking to enhance the program." Brennan said his schools already comply with state requirements for educating the district's dozen autistic children. The goal is to give these students the same education in an environment with non-special education students. Autism is a social disability that makes it difficult for the afflicted to communicate with others. Often times people with autism struggle with using words and can have inappropriate reactions to ordinary situations. "Our goal is to facilitate these students with autism's participation in general education classes," school special education coordinator Sarah Bilotti said. "We're hoping to facilitate their social and academic involvement." Greenwich schools station a special education aide in classes with autistic students alongside the regular educator. Brennan wants to use the $125,000 to establish an "inclusion coach" that would work with teachers, aides, parents and the students. "By putting the additional person in there you kind of have a point person," Brennan said. "You have a one-stop shop." Brennan said the district may hire two coaches, who would ultimately work as a problem solver between the parents, teachers and students. Bilotti said the appointee would train parents, teachers and students how to work with autistic students. Department of Education spokesman Rich Vespucci said state officials won't know how many schools have applied for the grant until after the Dec. 14 filing deadline. Vespucci said Greenwich's intent hits on the points that the state is looking at. He said based on Brennan's description, the school's grant would fall under an enhancement category. A minimum of nine grants will be handed out from that category. One of the big issues in dealing with autistic students is helping them develop communication and interaction skills. Brennan said the behavioral problems associated with autism are often born of frustration with not being able to communicate. If awarded the grant, Brennan said the district may look in-house to appoint the coaches; however, candidates would need experience in dealing with behavioral issues. The grant runs 15 months starting next spring, which creates another issue with the budget. "One of the challenges is what can we do when the grant money is gone," Brennan said. "We think this is a substantive role this person will play." Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.