Engagement: The Cornerstone of Learning, Dr. TJ Glahn
One needs to be engaged in order to learn. Promoting and fostering engagement must begin in infancy and evolve as the individual grows. Learning the POWER of Engagement allows enhanced learning opportunities. Engagement is pervasive and powerful for making learning easier and continuous. Why struggle…..engage!
Handout and Presentation
Naturalistic Teaching: A Combination of Naturally Occurring & Embedded Teaching Moments, Dr. TJ Glahn
Naturalistic teaching or incidental teaching promotes a more efficient and more sustainable ABA teaching approach, since the skills will be naturally embedded in the individual’s daily life as a child and as an adult. Learning to skillfully switch between incidental teaching and discrete trial procedures, allow the child to maintain his/her motivation while learning under the needed strategy at the moment. Naturalistic Teaching is both a skill and an art…………..one that maximizes the learner’s motivational state.
Handout and Presentation
Nature Deprivation & Autism: It Is Real & It Is Here, Dr. TJ Glahn
Based on the theory of nature deprivation which leads to social isolation and lack of self-initiation fostered by Dr. Richard Louv. The principles for enhancing the individual’s involvement in nature and one’s surroundings to promote social competency fits very well within a behavioral framework. ABA strategies for developing and maintaining social awareness and social competency will be presented for infants through early adolescence.
Handout and Presentation
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and You Will Be a Mile Away and Have Their Shoes; Understanding Those with Autism, Jacqueline Whitaker
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have a disability that is so misunderstood by others? Have you ever been frustrated when working with someone who has Autism? The objective of this class is to empower you with the understanding of what it is like to have a disability like Autism while still maintaining your ability to support, teach and serve those around you with a positive enthusiasm that can prevent burnout.
Empathy training . . . for you!
Handout and Presentation
When the Wolf Comes a ‘Knocking: Implementing Behavior Strategies that will Save Your Bacon, Jacqueline Whitaker
The objective of this class is to help you build your arsenal of behavior strategies on a solid foundation, and how to implement them in a way that will empower you with the ability to think on your feet – even when the wolf decides to come down the chimney instead of through the front door!
Handout and Presentation
Tricks of the Trade, Jacqueline Whitaker
Good curriculum is vital to teaching students with Autism. It wasn’t too long ago that teachers had to create their own lesson plans to teach reading, writing and math to those with Autism, but now there are many research-based products that can be used in the Special Education classroom. This class will offer hands-on exploration on many different curricula including; PCI Reading Program I,II, and III, Edmark Functional Words, Market Math, STAR Autism Program Levels 1, 2, and 3, Handwriting Without Tears, Touchmath, and Teachtown. Bring your own favorite curriculum to share with others, and create a networking community of those who teach students with Autism. Also available will be sensory diet ideas to use in your classroom.
Positive Behavior Supports/Video Modeling, Kristyn Peterson
Crash course in behavior management. Learn strategies and techniques for changing problem behaviors through positive behavior supports; including visual supports, video modeling, and more. We’ll talk about common behaviors, and how to create systems to target these specifically, in community, school and home settings.
Your Practical Toolbox of Classroom Strategies: Sensory and Behavior, Krisanne Lewis
This course will cover sensory-integration and behavior based strategies to address a variety of challenging behaviors. Attendees will learn how to determine if a behavior has a sensory basis, or may have other causes. Attendees will leave the course with a toolbox of practical strategies to use with children of all ages and ability levels.
Managing Explosive Behavior, Paul Day
Children with autism may exhibit extreme emotional outbursts. This may include behaviors such as hitting, biting, self-injury, running, screaming, spitting, etc. This presentation will look at the causes and types of emotional outbursts. We will look at functional behavior assessment as well as skill assessment. Finally, there will examples of building a comprehensive behavior curriculum to address the child’s needs
Teaching the Essential Elements: How to Create Access for All Ability Levels, Jessica Bowman
Providing access to the general education curriculum to students with significant cognitive disabilities is one among many positive changes that has occurred in the last decade in educating students with significant cognitive disabilities. In this session, teachers will be guided through a process to plan and implement instruction in the Utah Core Essential Elements that utilizes evidence-based practices and gives all learners meaningful access to each standard.
Why Cross the Social Divide? Teaching Social Skills to Those on the Autism Spectrum, Suzanne Grimshaw and Elein Sutherland
Children, teens and young adults, especially those who have a learning disability or who are on the Autism Spectrum often struggle to build the bridges necessary to cross the social divide and connect with others. This session will introduce its participants to socialization ideas and activities developed to create buy-in from the students to help them recognize their own social fears, lack of skills and perhaps their lack of motivation in regards to making and keeping friends. This presentation will be highly interactive as we share materials and activities you can use with your students or loved-ones to help enhance their ability to make connections with others and improve their social skills.
Applied Behavior Analysis and How You Can Personally Use It with Children Ages 0-7, Michelle Nadalsky
This topic will cover how you are able to use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tools and techniques in the home, school and community. This session will specifically focus on children and difficulties that are commonly found with children ages 0-7 years. Examples of topics that will be covered are potty training, support and resources in your community, as well as how to handle tantrums (including aggression). We will be going over real life examples, practical tips and strategies, as well as how to identify “behaviorally” if what you are doing is helping.
Autism and Sexuality, Jared Stewart
Among all the research and discussion of issues related to Autism Spectrum Disorders, one subject is consistently overlooked: sexuality. And yet, despite the developmental delays associated with ASD, people with autism are still people—with the same hormones, same urges, and same physical development; and who face the same decisions that neurotypicals do. Parents, professionals, and caregivers may find it awkward or unpleasant to address sexual issues, but ignoring the subject is neither helpful nor possible. In this interactive presentation, participants will learn both the critical importance of sexual education and a host of tips for effective teaching and intervention across the lifespan.
Handout and Presentation
Autism and ADHD—Forests and Trees, Jared Stewart
Roughly 75% of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder also qualify for a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But parents and professionals often encounter difficulty in understanding the differences, similarities, and overlap of these two conditions. This presentation will compare and contrast ASD and ADHD, and give practical tips for addressing the inattention and hyperactivity that is present in both.
Handout and Presentation
Seeing the Spectrum: Recognizing Autism in Children, Teens and Adults, Jared Stewart
Autism is a spectrum, and although the new DSM 5 diagnosis recognizes that fact, the range of characteristics varies so drastically that we’ve all heard the phrase: “If you’ve met one person with autism—you’ve met one person with autism.” Despite the uniqueness of the disorder, however, there are clear patterns of behavior across the spectrum and the lifespan. In this fun and informal presentation, parents and educators will learn what to look for in children, teens, and adults—with a special emphasis on the often overlooked signs in females and so-called “high functioning” individuals.
Handout and Presentation
Token Boards and Reinforcement Systems That Work! Tom Evans
This presentation will include ABA skills that work and can be generalized in most settings. The participants will learn how to establish a strong reinforcement system in the classroom/home. They will learn how to identify which reinforcers will be most motivating to their student. Learn how to effectively reward children based upon the type of response (verbal/nonverbal) the child gives. Learn how data collection is used to identify trends in behavior. By analyzing accurate behavioral data, progress or regression patterns can be identified and reinforcements can be adjusted according to need. New behavioral patterns can also be targeted through behavioral data collection. Learn how to confidentially account for target behaviors, on your white board and an individual rewards system.
Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS),Tom Evans
Learn how to apply ABA skills that improve behavior and communication needs of non-communicative children. . Learn the differences between PECS and Pictures Communication Systems (PCS) and how they are appropriately used. Additional resources on PECS, related examples and how to create your own personalized PECS will be available. Technological augmentative communication devices and websites will also be discussed.
ABA Techniques-Kyle Bringhurst
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tools and technique that can be used in the home, school and community.
IEP Zen-See handout and Presentation
ABA Roadmap-See handout and Presentation
