Autism Conference: Inclusion and Adolescent Transition in ASDs

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Inclusive Classroom
Workshop Presenter: Paula Kluth, Ph.D.

This interactive day features group activities, real-world stories, and tools you can bring back to the classroom immediately. Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with autism spectrum labels & other disabilities within a general education classroom. The centerpiece of the presentation is Paula's "Top Ten Strategies List for Inclusive Classrooms" in which she addresses the need for sensory supports, visuals, active learning, "safe space," and materials that capitalize on student strengths. Other topics addressed include defining (and redefining) autism, listening to the voices of those with autism, creating more responsive lessons, making the classroom comfortable, and providing opportunities for communication skill development. The presentation provides teachers with the necessary knowledge and strategies to understand every student as complex, as capable, and as a learner.

Learning Objectives for Participants:
-Compare and contrast definitions of autism
-Learn how some people with autism see and experience schooling
-Learn the benefits of inclusive schools for students with autism
-Learn active learning techniques appropriate for K-12 classrooms
-Learn ideas for adapting curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
-Learn techniques for supporting the development of communication skills and competencies in inclusive classrooms

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Bridges to Adulthood for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Workshop Presenter:

The past decade has seen reports citing the dramatic increase in the prevalence of autism and related disorders (ASD) to the current 1 case per 110 individuals most recently identified by the Centers for Disease Control (2009). There are greater numbers of individuals being diagnosed with ASD than ever before and subsequently, steadily growing numbers of adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. This increase in prevalence has created an increased demand for appropriate and effective services for adolescents and young adults with ASD. Unfortunately, the need for such services continues to far exceed the available resources, leaving a generation of individuals with autism and their families in a programmatic, financial, and personal limbo. This presentation will provide an overview of effective transition programming- at any age- with the ultimate goal being a life of dignity, competence, and quality. To this end, an overview and practical suggestions for transition planning (inclusive of employment goals) will be presented along with issues related to community based training, social competence, sexuality and quality of life concerns.

After having attended this workshop, participants will be able to:
-Identify the components of a comprehensive transition plan
-Differentiate between social survival and social competence of the applications of both
-Discuss the importance of direct, intensive instruction in adaptive behavior if community living is expected to be the outcome of an effective education
-Define the multiple constituent groups whose needs are to be met in the employment development process
-Identify the three primary components of sexuality
-Describe the individually determined components of an assessment of quality of life

Pricing:
One Day:
Early Bird: $125
Regular: $140
Two Days:
Early Bird: $175
Regular: $205
Early bird pricing lasts through August 23, 2010. Regular pricing starts on August 24, 2010.

Schedule:
7:00-8:00am Check-in
8:00-9:30am Speaker
9:30-9:45am Break
9:45-11:30am Speaker
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch (On your own)
12:30-2:00pm Speaker
2:00-2:15pm Break
2:15-3:30pm Speaker