ORLANDO PROGRAMMING
CONFERENCE ON AUTISM 2008

Preconference Workshop Pricing

Workshop #1-  Free
Workshops #2 thru #9 -  $95 until May 1
                                              $120 until July 3
                                              $150 from July 4 and onsite

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Workshop #1

Living the Best Life Possible- Free All-day Workshop

Facilitators: Stephen Shore, PhD, & Ruth Elaine Hane, PhD
Speakers: Dena Gassner, Sharisa Kochmeister, Valerie Paradiz, Ruth Elaine Hane & Stephen Shore

*This is a free all-day workshop intended for people on the spectrum of autism, interested parents, caregivers and professionals.

Come join this all-day workshop and meet members of the new Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism as we explore the concepts of learning how to accommodate our challenges and maximize our strengths.  This presentation will focus on how we successfully utilize our individual characteristics of autism, by finding careers that are positive, developing meaningful relationships and living the best life possible.  Additionally, we'll look at how giving back to the community is yet another important aspect of successfully living with autism.

Workshop #2

Considering More than Consequences in the Classroom: Merging Applied Behavior Analysis with Sensory and Communication-Based Strategies

Speakers: Jim Ball, EdD, BCBA ( 2008 ASA National Conference Keynoter), Chris Filler, BSN, & Denise Sawan Caruso, MA

This session will discuss how to use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a framework for developing an enriched classroom environment by incorporating both sensory and communication strategies. A video case study will show how ABA is a means to understand how to use other interventions to address challenging behaviors.

Workshop #3

When Your Child with Autism Becomes an Adult with Autism
Presented by NARPAA (National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism)

Speakers: Anna Hundley, Ruth Sullivan, Jimmie Beirne, Mike Smith, Kimberly Sanders, Stacey Umbenour, Barbara Boyett, Carolyn Garver, Alonzo Andrews, Tom McCool, Stephen Simonson, Phil Blevins, Becky Blackwell, Bill Moss, & Dan Hurd

This session will present the unique issues that adults with autism and their families confront each day.  A new documentary will be shown describing the severe impact on parents as they make the decision to place their sons and daughters in residential settings out of the home.  Information will also be presented on positive behavior support, vocational and residential programming, community access, functional analysis of behavior, and medical and sensory issues by leading providers in the U.S.

Workshop #4

Enhancing Quality of Life Through the Treatment of Problem Behavior

Speakers: Edward Carr, PhD, BCBA (2007 ASA National Conference Keynoter), & Cathy Pratt, PhD (ASA Board Chair)

Problem behavior seriously compromises quality of life for the people displaying it and for those who care for them. In this session, we will explain why people with autism show such behavior and what to do about it. We will emphasize the role of context, systems analysis, and prevention.

Workshop #5

Safe and Sound Session: Autism Spectrum Recognition and Risk Management for Law Enforcement and First-Response Professionals

Speakers: Dennis Debbaudt, Dr. Della S. Grossman, Judge Kimberly Taylor, & Stephen Shore, PhD

NOTE: This session is intended for patrol and investigative law enforcement professionals; police, fire & rescue officers; 911telecommunicators; Emergency Medical Services training officers; law enforcement and firstresponse managers and supervisors; school resource officers; Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) members; emergency preparedness managers; juvenile justice and special investigative professionals; all public- and private-sector First-on-Scene professionals; prosecutors and defense attorneys; judges and magistrates; probation, parole and correctional professionals; and public- and private-sector airport, building, event and border security.

This is a Pre-conference Training Session for law enforcement, first-response, emergency medical, and criminal and juvenile justice professionals.  This all-day session will focus on training information and tools for agencies to address autism-related field contacts; communication and behavior; sensory issues; de-escalation techniques; arrest, restraint, and custody interrogation and interview dilemmas;  and courtroom issues.

Workshop #6

Addressing Adolescent Behaviors:  Developing a Comprehensive Behavior Intervention Plan

Speaker: Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, Barry G. Grossman, PhD, Ruth Aspy, PhD & Shawn Henry, MS

This session will address common behaviors experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders and introduce a comprehensive method of addressing these challenges. Participants will be given an opportunity to apply this model to behaviors typically seen in adolescents across the spectrum.

Workshop #7

Panel of Professional Workshop: A “Best Practice” Approach to Key Issues in Autism

Speakers: Diane Twachtman-Cullen, PhD, CCC-SLP, Mark Durand, PhD, Margaret Creedon, PhD, Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, MS, CCC-SLP

This pre-conference workshop brings together four members of ASA’s Panel of Professional Advisors (PPA) to weigh in on the following important issues:  functional communication training; usage-based communication and language development; functional visual skills training; and the nature of feeding problems in autism.  The information presented will be based on the latest research findings across several fields, and will be geared towards helping parents and professionals translate research-based findings into effective practices in both the home and school settings.

Workshop #8

Defeat Autism Now Physician Training

As new research overturns the traditional view of autism as a "hard- wired" incurable genetic psychiatric disorder, it becomes more apparent that autism occurs when a genetically vulnerable child suffers one or more biological insults during critical stages of development, insults that often affect multiple organ systems, including the neurological, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and immune systems. Accurate identification of medical problems and appropriate medical treatments aimed at restoring normal function often result in marked improvement, and in some cases, recovery. Join us for a Defeat Autism Now! Clinician Seminar at the ASA conference, where we will discuss appropriate medical treatment for individuals on the spectrum and illustrate with case histories and lab data. CMEs provided.

Workshop # 9

2008 Chapter Leader Full-Day Pre-conference Workshop

Speakers: Jeff Sell, Marguerite Kirst Colston, Kim Siegel, Gordon Lavigne, Andre Filippi, Catriona Johnson, & Sharon Scribner Pearce

This year’s ASA Chapter Leadership Workshop will provide you with a host of topics, including: updates on national communications and public relations as they relates to your chapter and involvement, relationship and collaboration building, good governance & chapter best practices, defining your mission and vision as a chapter, relationship building, building a board, finding funding, strategic planning, and federal and state advocacy.  Don’t miss your chance to meet other ASA Chapter Leaders from around the country.