Heartspring staff have presented an introduction to autism, ABA, communication, and visual supports so far. There are always questions when time permits and even more during the breaks. A translator is not always available outside of the scheduled sessions, and this makes it difficult. The attendees are so eager for more information and knowledge that they do not let their limited English and our total absence of Mandarin keep them from trying.

The meetings were held in the largest conference room at the Jingshi Hotel on the campus of Beijing Normal University, and still many more wanted to come than could be accomodated. Notes were taken on paper, iPads, and/or laptops, and pictures were taken of any slides not included in the conference handouts. Hope got a brief reprieve from translating by a volunteer that we first met at dinner last night. The volunteer was Mian Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Special Education at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Dr. Wang received one of his two doctorate degrees from KU.    

Gary