Practical Strategies & Techniques for Person-Centered Autism Spectrum Disorder Support

Family Panel
Family members of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder share about the wonders and differences of caring for their loved one.

• Gain a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview
-Terri Gowey, M.S., Betty DeBoer, Ph.D.
Break down the spectrum of ASD and begin to discuss different components of the spectrum including profound autism. 

• Understand the core characteristics and diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including social communication deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors.
• Understand how diagnoses have changed over the past 40 years.
• Become familiar with the wide range of behaviors and symptoms exhibited by individuals with ASD across the spectrum, including social communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.

Sensory Processing Part 1
-Holly Bjorge, M.Ed.
Discuss the sensory needs of those with ASD and practice implementing different sensory regulating techniques.

• Understand the sensory processing differences commonly experienced by individuals with ASD, including hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, and sensory-seeking behaviors.
• Learn about the impact of sensory processing difficulties on daily functioning, behavior regulation, and quality of life for individuals with ASD.
• Identify common environmental triggers and stressors that may contribute to sensory overload or dysregulation for individuals with ASD.
• Gain knowledge of various sensory processing techniques and interventions aimed at regulating and supporting individuals' sensory needs.

Sensory Processing Part 2
-Holly Bjorge, M.Ed.
Discuss the sensory needs of those with ASD and practice implementing different sensory regulating techniques.

• Understand the sensory processing differences commonly experienced by individuals with ASD, including hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, and sensory-seeking behaviors.
• Learn about the impact of sensory processing difficulties on daily functioning, behavior regulation, and quality of life for individuals with ASD.
• Identify common environmental triggers and stressors that may contribute to sensory overload or dysregulation for individuals with ASD.
• Gain knowledge of various sensory processing techniques and interventions aimed at regulating and supporting individuals' sensory needs.

Proactive Techniques and Visual Supports
-Jess Schuler, M.S., Kate Lopas, M.A., and Melissa Vanoskey, M.S.
Break down various proactive and environmental supports such as schedules, expectations, social stories, and power cards to aid in the learning and independence building for individuals. 

• Create simple schedules and expectations to increase independence for those with ASD.
• Learn to create social stories and power cards to aid in processing upcoming events, difficult topics, or new skills.
• Learn how to adjust the environment to best support those with ASD.

Trauma-Informed Approaches
-Kate Lopas, M.A., and Melissa Vanoskey, M.S.
Examine person-centered treatment through assessing the causes of behaviors, what is maintaining behaviors and approaches to addressing behaviors.

• learn to partner with the individual with autism to identify socially significant behavior change using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach.
• identify potential causes for various behaviors and look at the four-term contingency maintaining behaviors.
• Identify trauma-informed intervention strategies to address interfering behaviors.

Autism Panel
Individuals share their experiences as someone diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Develop a deeper understanding of the strengths, challenges, and unique qualities associated with ASD from the perspective of individuals living with the condition.

Techniques for Increasing Skills
-Valerie Wilmink, M.S.
explore different assessments such as preference and reinforcement assessments which can be used to increase participation, completion of daily tasks and social skills. This session will also look at the contingencies surrounding behaviors.

• Utilize preference and reinforcement assessments to build new habits.
• Break down behaviors to identify the contingencies supporting the behaviors.
• Use these tools to increase skill development with daily living skills, social skills and participation.

A Collaborative Approach to Teaching Communication Part 1
-Sharon Wheat, M.S., Julie Besenbruch, M.A., and Valerie Wilminik, M.S.
Discuss different augmentative and alternative communication devices and practice replacing interfering or harmful communication with functional communication.

• Understand the concept of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and its significance in supporting individuals with communication difficulties.
• Utilize various high and low-tech communication supports that will aid in reducing interfering behaviors and increasing functional communication.

A Collaborative Approach to Teaching Communication Part 2
-Sharon Wheat, M.S., Julie Besenbruch, M.A., and Valerie Wilminik, M.S.
Discuss different augmentative and alternative communication devices and practice replacing interfering or harmful communication with functional communication.

• Understand the concept of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and its significance in supporting individuals with communication difficulties.
• Utilize various high and low-tech communication supports that will aid in reducing interfering behaviors and increasing functional communication

Teaching through LIMITS Part 1
-Terri Gowey, M.S., and Jess Schuler, M.S.
We will work through different types of limits that help to create boundaries and develop new independent skills.

• Understand the importance of setting limits for different situations.
• Set enforceable limits using compassion and empathy.
• Identify when to implement a limit as well as how to modify, drop, or forget a limit for now.

Teaching through LIMITS Part 2
-Terri Gowey, M.S., and Jess Schuler, M.S.
We will work through different types of limits that help to create boundaries and develop new independent skills.

• Understand the importance of setting limits for different situations.
• Set enforceable limits using compassion and empathy.
• Identify when to implement a limit as well as how to modify, drop, or forget a limit for now.