Workshops Offered

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders and Strategies for Intervention
This workshop teaches participants a philosophical understanding of the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the challenges these individuals are presented with. Participants will gain an understanding of the students' learning style and what adaptations need to be implemented so the child can be successful in the classroom. Participants will learn to implement environmental supports to increase the students' participation, enhance social skills and increase independence. This workshop is designed with practical recommendations and strategies for parents, teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, paraprofessionals and administrators.

Asperger Syndrome
"Understanding Asperger Syndrome"
The Learning Style of the Children and Implications for Educational InterventionsAsperger Syndrome is the term applied to the mildest and highest functioning end of what is known as the spectrum of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (or the Autism Spectrum). Participants of this workshop will gain an understanding of the characteristics and the behavioral manifestations of Asperger Syndrome. Participants will learn practical strategies to address the students' deficits.

Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The participants will gain an understanding of the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the communication issues these individuals are presented with. One of the primary deficits for students with Autism is communication. Students with Autism often present with challenging behaviors due to their inability to communicate effectively. Participants will gain skills and learn strategies to enhance communication development and socialization skills. Participants will learn to use augmentative communication methods with their students starting with the beginning level student and moving up the highly verbal student. The Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) method will be taught in detail. Participants will also begin to learn to write and use Social Stories with their students.

Behavior Supports for the Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Participants will gain an understanding of the characteristics of the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the behavioral challenges these individuals are presented with. Participants will gain knowledge to better understand the background of specific behavior problems and to identify the student's perspective, the misperceptions and the skill deficits that caused the problems. Participants will be taught to use specific assessments designed to pinpoint behavior functions and also learn to implement positive behavioral programs with their students.

Teaching Social and Emotional Skills to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations were originally developed to assist students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in understanding and responding effectively to the social world that surrounds them. These techniques are also applicable to other students with special needs including students with learning, emotional, cognitive and communication impairments. Social Stories are compatible with a wide variety of social skills programs and applicable to an infinite number of social skills and situations. Social Stories help parents and professionals understand the perspective of the student while at the same time providing the student with information regarding what is occurring in a given situation and why. This workshop is designed with practical recommendations and strategies for teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, paraprofessionals, administrators and parents.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders and Implications for Adolescents in Transition from School to Adult Life
This workshop will give participants an overview of the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the behavioral and affective characteristics. Participants will learn the implications for classroom, employment and community settings. Participants will learn to implement environmental supports to increase the students' participation, enhance social skills and increase independence. This workshop is deigned with practical recommendations and strategies designed for all those people who work with individuals with autism.

The Role of the Paraprofessional in the Classroom
This workshop is designed for teacher assistants who work with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in their classrooms. Participants will receive information and gain knowledge about the disorder. They will also learn specific programming strategies and recommendations to implement
with their students. These practical strategies will support the students in their efforts to pay attention, participate, enhance social skills and acquire independent work habits.