Tuesday, January 26
Parenting a Difficult Child
This session provides parents, family members, and caregivers with an overview of the Positive Behavior Supports, tips, and strategies for addressing challenging behaviors across settings. We will explore the 5 steps to effective behavior management. Participants will gain real discipline techniques that can be put to use as soon as they get home!
Tuesday, February 23
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
This session provides participants with valuable information about ASD and supports and services often associated with the disorder. We will explore an overview of various teaching models and their benefits. Participants will gain knowledge of local and national resources for teaching, supporting, and empowering.
Tuesday, March 29
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The session provides participants with tips on how to incorporate visual supports (pictures and objects) into home, school, and community settings. These supports can provide the needed information to prevent challenging behavior and teach skills of independence. The presenter will share useful examples and anecdotes for setting up visual supports.
Tuesday, April 26
No More Diapers…Please!
The monumental task of toileting training will be broken down into steps for success! We will explore various research-based approaches to toilet training a child as well as designing supports for an older child with a disability. The presenter will share examples through group discussion of real-life successes, challenges, and troubleshooting possible barriers.
Tuesday, May 31
Teaching Social Skills and Self Regulation
Participants will explore social learning programs and programs for self management for children and adolescents. We will discuss how, when, and where to introduce social learning opportunities that build self-esteem, self awareness, self control, respect for others, and sense of responsibility.
Tuesday, June 28
Managing symptoms of ADD/ADHD/ODD
We will discuss how ADD/ADHD/ODD symptoms may be associated with a child’s challenges with executive brain function. Participants will gain knowledge of Executive Function and the basic supports that may help their child or student overcome challenges associated with ADD/ADHD/ODD.
Tuesday, July 26
Demystifying Applied Behavior Analysis
In this session we will explore what ABA is, myths and truths, and benefits when used at home and school to support and teach individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. The presenter will provide examples and methods most often used in individualized programming for children and adults.
Tuesday, August 30
The Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and a Plan May Be the Key to Success
This session is designed to assist parents and teachers better understand what an FBA is and when it should be completed for students with behavioral challenges at school. We will review the fundamentals of the functional assessment of behavior and possible strategies for addressing challenging behavior in a specific setting. Participants will learn the components of a FBA; the do’s and don’ts, when to complete a FBA; and why it is important to start with good assessments.
Tuesday, September 27
What are Self Advocacy and Self Determination, and When Should We Teach It?
We will explore the idea of personal choice and self determination for individuals living with a disability, by discussing the five core principles of self determination, and why allowing and encouraging choice with the early learner create opportunities to build their self-confidence and critical thinking skills to last a lifetime.
Tuesday, October 25
Positive Behavior Supports: Creating a Positive Culture for Parents and Care Providers
We will explore how to build positive relationships through the creation a culture of support and acceptance. Participants will learn the functions of behavior, the difference between “discipline and punishment”; how to set up positive supports for person growth, happiness, and self confidence.
Tuesday, November 15
Relieving Stress…One Minute at a Time
With the holidays approaching, it can be a stressful time. We will discuss small changes that we can make to reduce stress, as well as, explore ‘1 minute’ daily exercises that can help us all relax.