Waynesburg University was represented by Dr. Lauren Werner and Tyler Breninghouse at the ACRES Conference held on April 4, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The American Council on Rural Special Education, or ACRES, was founded in 1981 by a group of people who wanted to face the unique challenges of rural students and individuals needing special services. ACRES remains to be the only national organization specifically devoted to special education issues that affect rural America, according to the website acres.sped.org.

“ACRES stands for the American Council on Rural Special Education, and it is essential because it is a nonprofit that serves children and adults with disabilities in rural communities,” wrote Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Lauren Werner in an email. “The conference, which is held every spring brings together special and general education educators, doctoral students, professors, related service providers and parents of children with disabilities from across the United States.”

Werner and Breninghouse made a presentation to show the conference and talk about the successes of Waynesburg University’s Neurodiverse Student Skills Camp.

“Tyler and I completed a presentation titled, ‘Implementing Mentoring, Service-Learning Projects, and Pathways to Stronger Peer Relationships for Neurodiverse Students’ which highlighted the benefits of our neurodiverse student skills camp held on campus each summer,” Werner wrote. “We specifically presented on the impact of service-learning projects and mentorship from nondisabled peers on socialization for neurodiverse youth.”

The Neurodiverse Student Skills Camp is offered in collaboration with the Washington County OVR or Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. There will be meals, lodging, instruction and activities included in the camp as well. The camp will be held Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18.

“I always appreciate the collaborative nature of the ACRES conference, meeting other professors and educators from across the United States and the resources I can bring back to my department and infuse into my courses,” Werner wrote.