Rick Clemens, M.A.- Founder and Director, Programs
Rick Clemens has been working with individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities since 1985. He has worked in various settings including schools, after-school and summer programs, homes, work programs and socialization programs that support individuals with disabilities. Throughout his career he has been committed and active in the integration, inclusion and socialization of the individuals he has worked with. He has been a teacher for students with moderate-severe disabilities since 1990 and in 1991 was the first teacher to fully include a student with moderate-severe disabilities in Ventura County. While teaching, Rick developed a close relationship with Camarillo State Hospital and was a pioneer in including children with autism from the State Hospital into general education classrooms.
Rick became known in Ventura County as an expert in the field of Inclusion, Behavior and Socialization and was asked to consult with varying districts on successful inclusion and behavioral practices. Rick also served as a Behavior Specialist and an Inclusion Specialist for several districts. During this period Rick was an invited speaker to many conferences and trainings throughout California. Eventually Rick became a full time consultant with a need to hire additional staff. Hence IECP was formed. Currently, along with overseeing IECP and its many programs, speaking at conferences and universities and consulting with School Districts and Regional Centers on systems change, Rick continues to work directly with children, teachers and families in addressing challenging behaviors and making inclusion successful for all involved. Rick’s graduate work includes a Masters Degree in Special Education, Moderate, Severe and Multiple Disabilities, a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential, and a California Special Education Moderate/Severe Authorization Credential.
Rick’s Master’s Thesis included an intensive hand’s on training on inclusive practices targeted at general education teachers. His Bachelor’s thesis from Antioch College in Ohio researched the effects on the family of having a child with a disability and created a model early intervention program which focused on the whole family. Rick’s focus of study revolved around the ecological model and the match between the child and the environment. This focus of study carried over to his work with children with autism and inclusion. Today Rick continues to learn and apply innovative ways of making the match between child and the environment successful.
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Rick became known in Ventura County as an expert in the field of Inclusion, Behavior and Socialization and was asked to consult with varying districts on successful inclusion and behavioral practices. Rick also served as a Behavior Specialist and an Inclusion Specialist for several districts. During this period Rick was an invited speaker to many conferences and trainings throughout California. Eventually Rick became a full time consultant with a need to hire additional staff. Hence IECP was formed. Currently, along with overseeing IECP and its many programs, speaking at conferences and universities and consulting with School Districts and Regional Centers on systems change, Rick continues to work directly with children, teachers and families in addressing challenging behaviors and making inclusion successful for all involved. Rick’s graduate work includes a Masters Degree in Special Education, Moderate, Severe and Multiple Disabilities, a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential, and a California Special Education Moderate/Severe Authorization Credential.
Rick’s Master’s Thesis included an intensive hand’s on training on inclusive practices targeted at general education teachers. His Bachelor’s thesis from Antioch College in Ohio researched the effects on the family of having a child with a disability and created a model early intervention program which focused on the whole family. Rick’s focus of study revolved around the ecological model and the match between the child and the environment. This focus of study carried over to his work with children with autism and inclusion. Today Rick continues to learn and apply innovative ways of making the match between child and the environment successful.
back to staff page