Upcoming Conferences

We post this list as a courtesy. We do not necessarily endorse the views or services of any of the following conferences, organizations, or speakers. Your experience, and that of others in your community, should be the most trusted guideline when seeking help and support. Please send conference information to Kristin Kramer.

• November 18 & 19, 2008 - Chicago, Illinois
• December 3 & 4, 2008 - Minnesota
• December 17, 2008 - Meriden, Connecticut
• January 6, 2009 - Mansfield, Massachusetts
• January 27, 2009 - East Hanover, New Jersey

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Human Development & Reading Comprehension in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Teresa Bolick, Ph.D. & Marion Blank, Ph.D.

Holiday Inn Crystal Lake
800 S. IL Route 31
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Tuesday & Wednesday, November 18 & 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18th
ASDs and the House of Human Development
Teresa Bolick, Ph.D.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) show a vast array of strengths and challenges. All too often, their challenges lead to behavior that interferes with success in everyday life at home, at school, and in the community. Because their developmental profiles are so complex, intervention is complicated and potentially overwhelming to families, schools, and other treatment teams. The House of Human Development is a user-friendly model of human development that suggests that communication, learning, and social competence rest upon the foundation of efficient sensorimotor processing and self-regulation. It emphasizes the interaction between an individual's developmental strengths and challenges and the situation at hand.

Wednesday, November 19th
Achieving Reading Comprehension for Autism and Other Disabilities
Marion Blank, Ph.D.

Effective reading comprehension has proven to be one of the most elusive skills for children with language problems. Even when decoding is not an issue, difficulties in understanding what has been read persist, affecting the child's chances for both academic and life success. Using insights from linguistics and cognitive psychology, the workshop will demonstrate innovative programs that use new materials and techniques to steadily guide children to significant levels of comprehension. The approach also provides a comprehensive framework that parents and practitioners can use for more effective communication in a variety of settings.

For more information, visit http://www.spectrumtrainingsystemsinc.com/crystallake.html.

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Transition and Teaching Strategies for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D. & Maria Wheeler, M.Ed.

Radisson Roseville
2540 North Cleveland Ave.
Roseville, MN 55113
Wednesday & Thursday, December 3 & 4, 2008

Wednesday, December 3rd
Transition from School to Post-School: Best Practices
Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D.

Longitudinal transitional practices from school to post-school are presented in this workshop. Definitions, key players, when to start transition planning and other important information pieces are covered. Real-life learner examples are illustrated and participants are guided into creating a plan for an individual they represent for an authentic and meaningful application that can be utilized immediately. Learning objectives for participants: 1) Identify the essential players in a school to post-school transition 2) Identify important planning areas in transition including higher education, living, work and play 3) Describe key milestones in school and the curriculum that contribute to effective transition 4) Learn to facilitate future planning processes such as MAPS (McGill Action Planning System) 5) Learn the importance of teaching and supporting key life skills at times they actually occur 6) Engage in action planning and prioritizing for transition.

Thursday, December 4th
Teaching Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Maria Wheeler, M.Ed.

Some of the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include limitations of attention, sensory difficulties, communication impairments, auditory processing problems, restrictive patterns, excessive anxiety and limited social functioning. These traits significantly interfere with learning and performance. When limited by the impact of the characteristics of an ASD, the learner needs to be taught concepts and skills differently than traditional students. Learning objectives for participants: 1) Explore how the traits of ASDs, including Autism, PDD and Asperger Syndrome, interfere with learning 2) Learn how to prepare students for learning 3) Learn how to structure and present teaching experiences that actively involve children who have ASDs in a variety of learning experiences 4) Learn how to evaluate a non-verbal child's knowledge of concepts taught 5) Learn effective modifications and supports to facilitate learning and performance for students of different ages across the Autism Spectrum.

For more information, visit http://www.spectrumtrainingsystemsinc.com/roseville.html.

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Asperger's Disorder: Advances in Understanding and Interventions

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D.

Four Points by Sheraton Meriden
275 Research Parkway
Meriden, CT 06450
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Symposium Description

8:00 to 8:45	Registration/Refreshments
8:45 to 10:00	What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? Clinical Features of Autism and Related Conditions Diagnostic Differentiation of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS Current Research Paradigms in ASD Case Examples
10:00 to 10:15	Refreshment Break
10:15 to 11:00	Diagnostic Assessment Early Detection and Initial Diagnosis Developmental, Cognitive, and Speech Assessments Multidisciplinary Evaluations & Differential Diagnoses
11:00 to 12:00	Educational and Therapeutic Programming Special Education and the Law Parent Training, Education, and Advocacy Determining Appropriate Educational Settings Methods of Treatment and Intervention
12:00 to 1:15	Lunch: On Your Own
1:15 to 2:00	Social, Communication, and Peer Interventions Social and Communication Skills Interventions Conversation Training Play and Interaction with Peers
2:00 to 3:00	Emotional Regulation and Adaptive Behavior Training Psychological and Emotional Supports Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors Adaptive Skills Training Vocational and Life Skills Training
3:00 to 3:15	Refreshment Break
3:15 to 4:30	Complementary and Alternative Interventions Defining CAM Media Interplay and Its Role in Autism Awareness and Treatment Current Research on Efficacy of CAMs

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=1&CID=61&tab=18

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Asperger's Disorder: Advances in Understanding and Interventions

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D.

Holiday Inn Mansfield-Foxboro
31 Hampshire Street
Mansfield, Massachusetts
Tuesday, January 6, 2008

Symposium Description

8:00 to 8:45	Registration/Refreshments
8:45 to 10:00	What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? Clinical Features of Autism and Related Conditions Diagnostic Differentiation of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS Current Research Paradigms in ASD Case Examples
10:00 to 10:15	Refreshment Break
10:15 to 11:00	Diagnostic Assessment Early Detection and Initial Diagnosis Developmental, Cognitive, and Speech Assessments Multidisciplinary Evaluations & Differential Diagnoses
11:00 to 12:00	Educational and Therapeutic Programming Special Education and the Law Parent Training, Education, and Advocacy Determining Appropriate Educational Settings Methods of Treatment and Intervention
12:00 to 1:15	Lunch: On Your Own
1:15 to 2:00	Social, Communication, and Peer Interventions Social and Communication Skills Interventions Conversation Training Play and Interaction with Peers
2:00 to 3:00	Emotional Regulation and Adaptive Behavior Training Psychological and Emotional Supports Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors Adaptive Skills Training Vocational and Life Skills Training
3:00 to 3:15	Refreshment Break
3:15 to 4:30	Complementary and Alternative Interventions Defining CAM Media Interplay and Its Role in Autism Awareness and Treatment Current Research on Efficacy of CAMs

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=1&CID=288

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Asperger's Disorder: Advances in Understanding and Interventions

Celine Saulnier, Ph.D.

Ramada Inn & Conference Center
130 Route 10 West
East Hanover, New Jersey 07936
Tuesday, January 27, 2008

Symposium Description

8:00 to 8:45	Registration/Refreshments
8:45 to 10:00	What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? Clinical Features of Autism and Related Conditions Diagnostic Differentiation of Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS Current Research Paradigms in ASD Case Examples
10:00 to 10:15	Refreshment Break
10:15 to 11:00	Diagnostic Assessment Early Detection and Initial Diagnosis Developmental, Cognitive, and Speech Assessments Multidisciplinary Evaluations & Differential Diagnoses
11:00 to 12:00	Educational and Therapeutic Programming Special Education and the Law Parent Training, Education, and Advocacy Determining Appropriate Educational Settings Methods of Treatment and Intervention
12:00 to 1:15	Lunch: On Your Own
1:15 to 2:00	Social, Communication, and Peer Interventions Social and Communication Skills Interventions Conversation Training Play and Interaction with Peers
2:00 to 3:00	Emotional Regulation and Adaptive Behavior Training Psychological and Emotional Supports Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors Adaptive Skills Training Vocational and Life Skills Training
3:00 to 3:15	Refreshment Break
3:15 to 4:30	Complementary and Alternative Interventions Defining CAM Media Interplay and Its Role in Autism Awareness and Treatment Current Research on Efficacy of CAMs

For more information, visit
http://www.neei.org/workshops/conference_details.aspx?WID=1&CID=289