Available in Indiana - Workshops and Presentations by IRCA Staff

Below is a list of workshops available in Indiana through various IRCA staff members. There is a fee for these depending on length and other issues. For more information or to schedule, contact the presenter directly.

Workshops by Kristie Brown Lofland, Educational Consultant

“I-”ing for Communication

The iPad has revolutionized the augmentative communication world and the way Speech Language Pathologist’s deliver articulation and language therapy to students and individuals. Despite easy access, we need to know the range of applications, how to judge and apply the technologies that are available,how to integrate the application and make them work in the world of learning.
This session discusses the decision making process in selecting an “I” device for an individual and appropriate applications, what applications are available for AAC and speech/language and how to utilized them in a therapy setting.
Objectives:
•    Identify how to use the devices for augmenting communication
•    Learn how technology can create content, share knowledge and build and support relationships
•    Learn how to incorporate technology into articulation and language therapy
•    Identify the applications for augmentative communication including those that focus on core vocabulary
•    Identify the applications for articulation and language therapies, creating practice homework and data collection

Length of Workshop:  Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Speech Language Pathologists, School Personnel, Families

Using the Ziggurat and CAPS Model in the School Environment

There is a common consensus that consistent programming across the school day is essential.  Two useful tools that provide a framework in developing a comprehensive plan are the Ziggurat Model (Aspy and Grossman, 2007) and the Comprehensive Autism Planning System (Henry and Myles, 2007).  These two tools combined help staff optimize a student’s daily program by incorporating needed supports in a well-organized manner. 

This session will demonstrate how to use both the Ziggurat Model and the CAPS for effective programming for students with ASD.

Length: One or Two Days
Suggested Audience:  School Personnel, Families

Visual Supports

We know that individuals with autism are able to process information easier when it is visual and spatial.  Spoken language often times tend to abstract and transient.  Therefore, visual supports can enhance an individual’s understanding.  With visual supports, an individual may learn more quickly, reduce aggressive or self-injurious behavior, decrease their frustration and anxiety, learn to adjust to changes, complete tasks by themselves and gain independence.

This session will provide the participants with an understanding of the importance of using visual supports and will illustrate practicial strategies for use in the home, school, workplace and community.

Length:  One Day
Audience:  ALL

Workshops by Catherine Davies, Educational Consultant

Email: daviesc@indiana.edu

Catherine is available to present workshops to fit a variety of needs. These workshops center on Structured Teaching (an evidence based practice developed by the TEACCH program in North Carolina). Workshops can be tailored to individual needs but all emphasize practical strategies that participants can implement.

Structured Teaching for School Systems

1 Day Workshop. This workshop outlines the rationale for using structured teaching as well as the research evidence. The majority of the workshop is then spent exploring all the basic structured teaching strategies (including the physical set up of the classroom, visual schedules, work systems and tasks) using examples in photographs and videos to illustrate these.

Length of workshop: One Full Day
Suggested Audience: School Personnel

2 Day Workshop. This workshop includes everything outlined in the one day workshop but also a 2nd day. Day 2 allows exploration of more detailed information on topics such as how to utilize Structured Teaching to enhance teacher assessment, teach social communication skills and manage behavior.

Length of workshop: Two Full Days
Suggested Audience: School Personnel

Structured Teaching for Adults

1 Day Workshop. This workshop outlines the rationale for using structured teaching as well as the research evidence. The majority of the workshop is then spent exploring all the basic structured teaching strategies (including the physical set up of the residential home or vocational setting, visual schedules, work systems and tasks) using examples in photographs and videos to illustrate these.

Length of Workshop: One Full Day
Suggested Audience: Professionals Working with Adults with ASD in Residential and/or Vocational Settings

2 Day Workshop. This workshop includes everything outlined in the one day workshop but also a 2nd day. Day 2 allows exploration of more detailed information on topics such as how to utilize Structured Teaching to enhance vocational assessment, teach social communication skills and manage behavior.

Using Visual Structure At Home To Help Your Child Learn

This workshop provides parents with an understanding of the importance of using visual structure with their son or daughter. The majority of the workshop will be spent illustrating (using photographs and videos) practical strategies for use in the home and community.

Length of workshop: Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents/Primary Caregivers

Workshops by Melissa Dubie, Educational Consultant

Email:mdubie@indiana.edu

Organizing District Autism Teams

Has it been a while since you sent a group of people to autism team training? Would you like to get organized by creating a focus for your autism team? This workshop is geared for you because it will cover what other teams are doing around the state, an introduction of 22 evidence based practices (EBP) and how EBP #8217;s are being implemented in Indiana. In the afternoon, individual teams will brainstorm their needs at schools and in the community to design a two year plan for the autism teams to implement with specific activities (e.g., training, support for behavior, peer mediation, survey, first responder training), what is needed, who is responsible and a timeline. Each team will walk away with an action plan for the school year.

Length of workshop: Full Day Presentation
Suggested audience: School Districts/Cooperatives That Want to Form Several Autism Teams

Coaching in the Classroom

Students with autism spectrum disorder are placed in classrooms (e.g., general and special education) with teachers who are educated with varying degrees of knowledge of this disability. A teacher may have attended one or several days of training, individual conferences related to a methodology, or read an article or book. After preparing for having a student on the autism spectrum, the teacher may still feel inadequate to implement necessary strategies to help the student. Part of the teacher's struggle may be in understanding the student on the autism spectrum and their challenges. One model to help coordinate an intricate program for an individual on the autism spectrum who is struggling to be successful in the classroom and to guide the teacher on specific strategies that are effective while providing hands-on training to the staff in the natural classroom setting is called coaching. Coaching provides an opportunity for one-on-one training, guiding, instructing, observing, modeling, evaluating performance, and providing feedback. Coaching support is available in classrooms and on job sites.

Length of workshop: One Day or Multiple Days
Suggested audience: School Personnel, Employment Personnel

Meeting the Needs of Students on the Autism Spectrum in Elementary or Middle School Environments

During this full day of training, staff will learn about the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger Syndrome, and how it is similar and different from other autism spectrum disorders. Learn a few evidence based practices (e.g., positive reinforcement, prompting, peer mediation instruction, and visual supports) and how they were applied with students in Northwest Indiana. In addition, the presenter will problem solve with the group one or two case studies of students/adults.

Length of workshop: Full Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents, Primary Caregivers, School Personnel, Vocational Providers

Parents: Let's Talk About Resources Available to Teach Your Son or Daughter on the Autism Spectrum About Sexual Health

Attendees will learn how to use strategies you already know work with your son/daughter and apply to teaching them about their bodies changing through the cycle of puberty. Specific topics include: hygiene, menstruation, building friendships, and being safe in the community. A list of resources and materials will be provided at the workshop. Time allowed for questions and answers.

Length of workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested audience: Parents, Primary Caregivers

Teaching Sex Education to Adolescent Girls with Asperger's Syndrome

Attendees will learn about your daughter's/female client's reproduction, sexual anatomy and physiology, puberty, reproduction, body image, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual health. Practical health tips and strategies to help caregivers become comfortable talking about sexual health. You will leave with resources for visuals, lesson plans, and websites to use for teaching your daughter/female clients about her body and sexual health. Time allowed for questions and answers.

Length of workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested audience: Parents, Primary Caregivers, Group Home Providers

Teaching Sex Education to Adolescent Boys with Asperger's Syndrome

Attendees will learn about your sons/male client's reproduction, sexual anatomy and physiology, puberty, reproduction, body image, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual health. Practical health tips and strategies to help caregivers become comfortable talking about sexual health. You will leave with resources for visuals, lesson plans, and websites to use for teaching your sons/male clients about his body and sexual health. Time allowed for questions and answers.

Length of workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested audience: Parents, Primary Caregivers, Group Home Providers

Teaching Sexual Health At School to Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Within the Developmental Disability Level

Will learn resources you can borrow, curriculum available to adapt, and how to adapt materials to meet your student's needs to learn about their sexual health. Plus the information from  "Teaching Sex Education to Adolescent Boys and Girls" adapted for this level of cognitive ability. Time for problem solving.

Length of workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested audience: School Personnel

Workshops by: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D

Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism

Email: prattc@indiana.edu

Applied Behavior Analysis: Realities and Fiction

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a tremendous technology that can be highly effective in reducing problematic behaviors and in teaching prosocial skills. Unfortunately, often ABA is misunderstood or seen form a limited perspective. This session will discuss the ethics associated with ABA and the numerous strategies associated with this technology. Information will focus on practical implementation of ABA.

Length of Workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents and Professionals

Creating Meaningful IEPs

This session teaches individuals how to write goals that are meaningful and can be held to the highest standards of accountability. Participants have an opportunity to practice writing these goals in a collaborative manner. The case conference process is also discussed.

Length of Workshop: Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents and Professionals

Designing Behavior Support Programs for Individuals Who Challenge the System

Individuals who engage in problematic behavior create a tremendous challenge for professionals and family members. This session will discuss the role of crisis management, strategies for conducting a meaningful functional behavior assessment, and will focus on teaching alternative skills when designing a behavior support plan.

Length of Workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents and Professionals

Educating Students Across the Autism Spectrum

This session discusses the role of school culture and curriculum in designing an educational program. In addition, strategies that have proven effective with students on the autism spectrum will be highlighted. Finally, the role of parent-professional collaboration will be discussed.

Length of Workshop: Full or Half Day Presentation
Suggested Audience: Parents and Professionals