Conferences and Training
Note: We will be posting more information about upcoming state, national and international conferences and training with regards to autism and inclusion. Stay tuned!
Past Events
Universal Design, Differentiation and Curricular Adaptations
November 4, 2011
German Club Manor
711 South Gate Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Cost: $70/person
Presenter: Dr. Patrick Schwarz Dynamic and engaging professor, author, motivational speaker and leader in Education (Inclusive Education, Special Education, General Education, Educational Leadership) and Human Services. Dr. Schwarz is a professor at National-Louis University, Chicago. Patrick's company is Creative Culture Consulting LLC. He is the author of From Disability to Possibility, You're Welcome (with Paula Kluth), Just Give Him the Whale (with Paula Kluth) and Pedro's Whale (with Paula Kluth). His website is www.patrickschwarz.com.
Universal design is providing access to curriculum for all learners through use of multiple means of representation, action and expression. Differentiation is use of educational strategy, technology, materials, sequences and procedures to support successful learning for all students in a classroom. Curricular adaptations are individualized strategies to help a learner who needs further educational support to participate meaningfully in the classroom. In this immediately useable session, definitions, universal planning processes and outstanding examples of student supports will be provided and applied to participants' classroom, teaching and learning situations.
Download the Conference Information Flyer and Registration Form
Behavior Workshop
October 26, 2011
German Club Manor
711 South Gate Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Cost: $70/person
Presenters: Dr. David Pitonyak and Cindy Pitonyak Dr. Pitonyak is an International Speaker and Advocate for persons with disabilities. To learn more about Dr. David Pitonyak and his organization, Imagine, LLC, please visit www.dimagine.com. Cindy Pitonyak is a Behavior Specialist for Montgomery County Public Schools. Cindy is a well-known speaker on behavior at both state and national conferences; she also teaches at Radford University.
Cindy and David will be presenting a workshop together about difficult behavior - how to understand its meaning and what to do when it occurs.
Download Dr. David and Cindy Pitonyak Bio
Introductory Workshop on Facilitated Communication
October 10-11, 2011
Holiday Inn
99 Bradley Drive
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Cost: $150/person includes both days
Presenter: Marilyn Chadwick Former Assistant Director of the Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University. Marilyn has provided training to families, school distric and agencies to support their understanding and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and facilitated communication (FC) for people with severe communication impairment. She also provided ongoing training and consultation to families, school districts and agencies to support their long-term use of AAC and FC to meet the national standards established by the Facilitated Communication Institute. Also, she developed models of sustainability for effective use of AAC and FC locally, nationally and internationally and she provided individuals and families effective strategies to support the development of independence in communication and life situations.
This workshop teaches the foundational concepts of support within the framework of the 'least to most' strategy. Participants learn the various levels of support; the rationale behind each level and how to effectively select and provide the appropriate level of support for different communicative situations. Additionally, this workshop teaches the getting started process for using facilitated communication. The workshop is provided to groups; teams that are considering this as a strategy for an individual are perferred.
Download the Conference Information Flyer
Download the Flyer for Sites and Schools
Early Intervention: Getting Babies Ready for the Future - Birth to 5 years
September 27, 2011
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Presentation: Key Note Speaker - Roxana Hartmann
Roxana is the mother of a 26-year-old man with autism who graduated from Blacksburg High School in 2004. Roxana is a passionate advocate for people with significant disabilities. Her experiences in seeking an education for her son Mark took her family into a legal struggle for five years and all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Her published book, A Live Controversy, is the story of determination in her son's journey for inclusive education. Roxana is an international speaker and has been featured on the Today Show, in People Magazine, The News Hour with Jim Lehar, and in several newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today.
Presentation #1 Title: Let's Talk PECS
This session will provide attendees with an overview of the phases of the Picture Communication System (PECS). We will discuss using PECS to expand communication skills and effective ways to incorporate use of PECS in the classroom. Presented by Andrea Dixon and Kathleen Wright.
Presentation #2 Title: Autism Spectrum Disorders - Integrating sensory Strategies to improve Outcomes and Participation in natural contexts.
With the right kind of supports, ALL children can be successful. This session will address common behavioral challenges that may be related to poor processing and integration of sensory information experienced by young children with autism. Meaningful participation can be facilitated by preventing barriers, altering, adapting, and modifying contexts and demands, creating circumstances that support performance, establishing/restoring skills and ability.
Natural settings and environments are preferable for better outcomes. Recent research findings provide evidence that the most effective interventions that address sensory processing skills in children with autism are those that integrate intervention within the child's natural daily routines. Recommendations for sensory interventions in natural contexts and collaboration strategies to strengthen the OT's role as a team member will be presented. Presenter is Professor Gillian Rai.
Presentation #3 Title: Overview of Autism
As of May 2010, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that the rates of Autism is now 1 in 110 children. A more recent study published in May 2011 and conducted by researchers from Yale University using 55,000 children in Goyang, South Korea, found that 2.64 percent - one in every 38 children - had an autism spectrum disorder. Autism, no doubt, has had an impact world-wide. We will look at how Autism is diagnosed and how it is differentiated from Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and some of the other developmental disabilities such as Rett's and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. A brief discussion of research focused on diagnosing Autism earlier and how to find treatments that work based on the National Standards Project will be included. Presenter is Dr. Christine Sullivan.
Presentation #4 Title: What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
With a major push in the field to focus on "proven" therapies for this population, the National Standards Project, a primary initiative of the National Autism Center, addressed the need for evidence-based practice guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by reviewing the available research regarding treatments currently being used with persons with autism. The National Standards Project sought, among other things, to "provide the strength of evidence supporting educational and behavioral treatments that target the core characteristics of these neurological disorders." According to the report, "approximately two-thirds of the established treatments were developed exclusively from the behavioral literature (e.g., applied behavior analysis, behavioral psychology, and positive behavioral supports). Of the remaining one-third, 75% represented treatments for which research support comes predominantly from the behavioral literature." This session will provide a very basic overview of the field of ABA and how various techniques are used to improve prognosis for persons across the spectrum. Presented by Dr. Christine Sullivan.
Download the Conference Information Flyer
Download Andrea Dixon & Kathleen Wright Bios
Download Dr. Sullivan Bio
Download Gillian Rai Bio
PECS Level Two
May 2-3, 2011
Blacksburg, VA
Pre-requisite: The PECS Basic Training
This workshop is perfect for anyone who has previously attended the PECS Basic Training and is currently implementing PECS. Day One focuses on a review of the PECS training protocol, as well as solutions for common implementation challenges. On Day Two, advanced language skills and enhancing communication across the day are addressed. This day of the workshop applies to all learners, regardless of communicative modality, but is discussed within the framework of PECS. The course also explores specific programming for incorporating PECS throughout the day.
Day 1: This day focuses on a thorough review of how to implement each phase of PECS. The most common implementation problems, including discrimination difficulties, and cutting edge problem solving strategies will be addressed. Participants will practice their PECS skills under the guidance of a Pyramid consultant, troubleshoot their personal implementation issues, and watch video examples of PECS lessons. Participants are encouraged to share their own successful and difficult cases. The aim is to respond to the difficult cases in a manner that does not simply