THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2019 - WORKSHOP SESSIONS

All Day Workshop | 9:00 – 11:30 AM & 1:30 – 4:00 PM

1. How to Use Video and Other Technology-Based Interventions with Students with Autism – two-part session morning & afternoon
This full-day workshop will hone attendee skills to plan and use video- and other technology-based instruction for students with autism. This includes specific information on preparing video modeling, video priming, video prompting, and various hybrids and extensions of these procedures. Attendees will also learn about developing video-based instructional approaches to target specific outcomes, including social skills, communication, engagement, and functional skills. Other topics will include leveraging emerging technologies (e.g., robotics, location-based systems, wearables, etc.), using technology to improve social-emotional learning, and selecting web-based and application-based technology tools for learners with autism. The workshop will include lecture, discussion, demonstration and hands-on guided practice.
Stephen Crutchfield, PhD, Assistant Professor, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA and Paul LaCava, PhD, Associate Professor, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI

Morning Workshop Sessions | 9:00 – 11:30 AM | choose one session to attend

2. Planning for Post School Success 
This workshop will offer valuable strategies for achieving independence, including tactics for self-regulation and mindfulness. Learn how to avoid missteps and resolve ongoing challenges using evidence-based practices. Upon completion, you will be able to create a comprehensive plan to use these strategies in workplace, transportation, and in after-work settings.
Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, Researcher, Consultant, and Author, former consultant of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) and the Ziggurat Group, as well as a former professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, Olathe, KS

3. Augmentative and Alternative and Multimodal Communication for Individuals with Autism: A Conversation
Communication is ubiquitous. Join other stakeholders, including practitioners, family members, researchers, and people with ASD for a discussion. Conversation among these key stakeholders is crucial to ensure adequate attention is given to the needs and desires of the people who will benefit from development and evaluation of new tools to improve communication in this population across all contexts. During this workshop, the conversation partners, presenter, and participants will address critical issues and prevalent practices in multimodal communication, including augmentative and alternative communication, for use with people with autism spectrum disorder.
Jennifer Ganz, PhD, BCBA-D, Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

4. Using Behavior Skills Training to Jump Start Your Social Skills Instruction for Students with ASD 
With so many social skills tools and strategies, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This workshop will highlight evidence-based social skills instruction for students with autism through a Behavior Skills Training framework. Activities will demonstrate how to incorporate existing social skills strategies and curricula to design effective, systematic lessons that produce results. Participants will walk away with quick, step-by-step guides for enhancing instruction to take it to the next level. If you’ve ever felt stagnant teaching social skills, this is the workshop for you!
Sabrina Mitchell, PhD, BCBA, Danielle Wesley, MEd, Angela Chambers, MSE, Autism Behavior Specialists, Lee’s Summit School District, Lee’s Summit, MO

5. Providing Intensive and Structured Teaching in Inclusive Preschool Classrooms 
This session will provide information about the principles and practical strategies of applied behavior analysis (ABA)  verbal behavior to target specific language and learning readiness skills. Specifically, attendees will learn structured teaching strategies for teaching skills to preschool children of all abilities in inclusive classrooms.
Mary Beth Patry, MSEd, BCBA, Doctoral Student, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS and Michelle Hass, MA, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCBA, Speech Language Pathologist, Behavior Analyst & Autism Specialist, Creating Connections Therapy, LLC, Overland Park, KS

Lunch & Keynote Session 1 | 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM

Nothing About Us Without Us: Perspectives of Autistic Self-Advocates
Autistic young adults will serve as keynote speakers during this panel presentation. These dynamic young adults will share their perspectives on self-advocacy, transition to adulthood, and plans for the future. A facilitator will guide the discussion. The young adults will also share about their school experiences and how teachers best supported them. Don't miss these inspiring young adults!
Elizabeth Boresow, BMEd, Music Therapist, High Five, LLC, Lenexa, KS; Khai Devon, BA, Training Coordinator Goodwill Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas, Kansas City, MO; Madison Holcomb, Board Member, Camp Encourage, Leawood, KS; Moderator, Leslie Bross, PhD, Professor, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Afternoon Workshop Sessions | 1:30 – 4:00 PM | choose one session to attend

6. Brains are Built Not Born:  Overcoming the Challenge and Stigma of Executive Functioning Deficits 
Deficits in executive functioning skills have been associated with several behavioral challenges common in individuals with ASD such as shifting attention, inhibiting impulses, initiating activity, organizing actions and materials, time management, working memory, and emotional control.  These deficits sometimes result in stigmatizing labels such as “lazy”, “scatterbrained”, or “emotionally disturbed”. This session will focus on clearly understanding executive functioning deficits and will outline a proactive approach for helping students with these deficits experience greater success in the school setting through various support and instructional strategies.
Lisa Robbins, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO and Kaye Otten, PhD, BCBA, Consultant, Summit Behavioral Services, Kansas City, MO

7. Sexuality Education for Students with Autism 
Students with autism may in engage in socially unacceptable sexual behavior, but also express interests in relationships and other aspects of sexuality. Unfortunately, special educators and related service providers receive little or no training about how to address the sexuality education-related needs of their students with autism. This session will provide a framework for using evidence-based practices to prevent unacceptable sexual behavior, teach sexuality-related knowledge and skills, and respond to sexual expression by students with autism. Specific recommendations for dealing with inappropriate masturbation also will be presented.
Jason Travers, PhD, BCBA-D, Associate Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 

8. Tips and Tricks for Supervising and Training your Paraprofessionals 
A successful special education program requires the help and support of paraeducators. Understanding their roles and responsibilities both in the general and special education classrooms is critical for ensuring your paraeducator is effective. In this session, you will learn strategies to train your paraprofessionals to implement evidence-based strategies with high fidelity. Participants will learn how to train paraprofessionals as well as easy supervision tips, and data collection strategies that will maximize the effectiveness of special education programs.
Felicity Post, EdD, Assistant Professor, Peru State College, Peru, NE and Jessica Nelson, EdD, BCBA, LBA, Assistant Professor, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

9. Circle of Friends – The Gift of Friendship 
Physical inclusion doesn't necessarily equate to social inclusion. Circle of Friends is an evidence-based, peer-mediated intervention designed to develop healthy peer relationships among kids in schools. It can enhance social emotional learning, decrease office behavioral referrals and bullying, and increase student well-being. Weekly meetings and social outings provide opportunities for teachers and other school staff to teach social skills in a natural setting. Students come to look forward to the activities and friendships that can result from this proactive intervention. Learn how to facilitate a Circle of Friends group for your students with autism.
Mary Schlieder, EdD, Learning Specialist, Norris 160 School District, Firth, NE