Full Course Description

Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder: Over 75 Proven Strategies for Social Skills, Behavior and Learning

Program Information

Objectives

Assess how sensory processing, environmental and communication issues influence learning and behavior.
Analyze the latest brain research on autism spectrum disorders and how these findings impact the way therapists and educators work with children/adolescents.
Determine how early sensory-motor experiences are stored in the brain.
Present the components of sensory integration and sensory processing difficulties common to children with a diagnosis of autism.
Evaluate how early experiences may be perceived differently for children with autism due to brain differences.
Ascertain how underlying sensory processing difficulties impact learning, behavior and social skills.

Outline

Sensory Processing Components and Strategies

Vestibular
Proprioception
Tactile
Visual
Auditory

Autism: Concepts & Research

Latest brain research
Executive function
Theory of Mind
Central Coherence Theory
Mirror neurons

Praxis (Motor Planning)

Impact on those with autism
Gross motor
Fine motor
Strategies for teaching new motor skills including activities of daily living

Strategies

0 to 3:
- Non-contingent sensory diet
- Safe activities (e.g. bath time) to introduce new textures
Preschool
- Sensory activities to expand play
- Sensory activities to promote language
Early grades:
- Sensory input to increase focus on a task
- Teach Change
Middle school:
- Sensory with executive function strategies
- Social sensory stories the student creates
- Case studies

Blending Strategies

Incorporate sensory with Applied Behavioral Analysis
Sensory paired with visual communication strategies

Copyright : 16/03/2016

Autism Meltdowns in Children and Adolescents: Practical Strategies for Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze functions of behavior to determine if a child with autism is having a tantrum or meltdown to inform intervention strategies.
Implement intervention strategies to target social-communication skills deficits and subsequent behavior difficulties in children with autism.
Utilize a “breathe card” and emotions chart as intervention strategies to develop self-control and self-management skills in children with autism.
Design optimal therapy/classroom environment to manage overstimulation and sensory breakdowns in children with autism.
Determine specific intervention strategies to defuse explosive behaviors and de-escalate meltdowns in children with autism.
Integrate change of schedule cues and transition markers in therapy/classroom to reduce symptoms of anxiety in children with

Outline

Functions of a Meltdown

Tantrum vs. meltdown
Stages of a meltdown
Sensory issues vs. behavior issues
Meltdown video

Strategies for the Meltdown Cycle: Intervention, Prevention and Post-vention

Sensory Issues
- Optimal learning environments
- Easy-to-use sensory tools
- Overstimulation and sensory breakdowns
- Incorporate a sensory lifestyle throughout the day
Executive Function
- Increase attention and focus
- Strengthen motivation and engagement
- On-task and task completion skills
- Visual reminders for routines and predictability
- Visual structure for organization
Self-Regulation
- Develop self-control and self-monitoring skills
- Tools for self-feedback
- Use high focus and interest areas as powerful incentives to change behavior
Social/Emotional Communication
- Communication for positive social interaction
- Appropriate interactions with their peers
- First-person stories for positive behavior changes and affirmations
Explosive Behaviors
- Recognize the triggers
- Reduce symptoms of anxiety
- Modeling appropriate behavior
- Defuse explosive behaviors
- Decrease maladaptive behaviors
- Increase appropriate behaviors
Special Considerations
- Collaboration with parents/caregivers
- Strategies for helping the parent/caregiver with grief

Techniques for After the Meltdown

Strategies for instructional consequences
Chart appropriate/inappropriate behaviors
Activities for reviewing behaviors when calm
Use cartooning to facilitate feedback
Strategies for providing systematic feedback
Reinforcement for communication strategies
Identify feelings and review behavior

Hands-on and Small Group Activities

Demonstration video
Small group exercises: Brainstorm appropriate and meaningful replacement behaviors

Copyright : 27/01/2017

High-Functioning Autism: Proven & Practical Interventions for Challenging Behaviors in Children, Adolescents & Young Adults

Program Information

Objectives

Implement interventions to teach children/adolescents diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) the skills to independently manage their own regulation, anxiety and fears.
Design effective strategies to approach transitions and routine life challenges for children/adolescents diagnosed with HFA.
Utilize specific interventions to improve long-term social-emotional success for children/adolescents diagnosed with HFA.
Suggest specific sensory-based calming techniques to reduce anxiety for children/adolescents diagnosed with HFA.
Recognize the potential side effects of psychotropic medication that can mimic or cause behavioral issues related to HFA.
Design specific behavioral interventions to reduce frequency, intensity and duration of difficult behaviors in children/adolescents with HFA.

Outline

DSM-5® Changes & Autism

DSM-IV® and DSM-5®criteria comparisons
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder
Impact on service delivery (school/community)
Successfully link the home, school and therapist
IEP/504/Do they qualify for school services?
Co-morbid disorders: Why the difference is important

Social Skills Interventions

Improve social skill deficits “Kid Cop” behaviors and why other kids get angry How to get peers to recognize them in positive ways Group activities Early intervention programs that can deliver long-term success

Communication Interventions

Ways to work out conflicts that are effective in multiple settings
Help peers, siblings and parents relate
Verbal interventions that overload processing

Sensory Interventions

Self-stimulation (appropriate & inappropriate)
Sensory strategies to avoid
Coping/calming techniques that reduce melt downs
Sensory Diet

Anxiety Interventions

Anxiety reducing activities
How anxiety impacts rigidity
Help them “self-regulate”
Successful transitions

ADHD Interventions

ADHD vs. hyper-focus
Commonly prescribed medications and possible benefits and side effects
Specific triggers and what fuels the rage
Reduce aggressive and disruptive behaviors
Mistakes that escalate defiant behaviors
Overcome refusals to comply with even simple requests

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Interventions

What to do when they become stuck on high interest areas
Specific medication interventions
Impact on socialization and behaviors

Interventions for Specific Difficult Behaviors

Reduce Internet and electronic addictions
Changes in technology, school systems and mental health delivery

Psychopharmacological Interventions

Differentiate among common medications
Medications that mimic difficult behaviors
Side effects and off label use
Impact of eating, sleeping and hormones on medication effectiveness

Case Studies, Demonstrations & Activities

Case studies that demonstrate specific interventions for aggressive and non-complaint behaviors
“Reminder video” technique: A way to facilitate behavioral rehearsal
iPad® apps for social success, behavioral changes and speech and language
Staff training techniques to experience what an individual on the spectrum might