Session Descriptions

Note: Sessions are coded to assist in making session selections for registration

Session Key:
*Recommended for any participant level of knowledge
**Recommended for those with some experience or training

Audience Type:

F =	Family
S =	Self-Advocate
C =	Clinical (health, mental health, social work, speech/language)
B =	Behavioral
E =	Educational
O =	Other: (e.g., physicians)

Thursday, April 19, 2012
Pre-Conference Workshop 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
A	Best Practice Approach to Making an ASD Diagnosis C, O (physicians) Stephen M. Kanne,Ph.D., ABPP and Dr. Kristin Sohl, M.D. Note:** This session is for health care and mental health professionals who are engaged in diagnostic practice. The field of autism is changing quickly, with new research findings being presented almost weekly. We will provide a brief overview of the current “best practice” approach to screening and diagnosing autism, including the tools used. The focus will be on hands-on activities that increase knowledge and skills in this area.
B	EthicsLab 2012: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas C, B** Jon Bailey, Ph.D, BCBA-D Note: This session is for BCBAs and BCaBs, clinical psychologists and other clinicians engaged in the practice of applied behavioral analysis. 3:00-4:00 pm: Missouri State Board of Behavior Analysts on Ethical Guidelines Panel This workshop will present a detailed analysis of ethical dilemmas with the goal of determining the most effective way to resolve them. I will start with an analysis of the difficulty level of ethics problems and make some suggestions about levels of professional skills necessary to effectively navigate those troubled waters. This will be followed by a new conceptual framework that I call Complexity. I will then propose a process that follows from the analysis and introduce Ethics Contingency Plans as an emerging method of dealing with complex ethical dilemmas
Friday, April 20, 2012
Conference Sessions 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday Keynote 8:30 - 9:45 am The Delivery of Effective Social Skills Programming: Notes and Observations from the Classroom, Clinic, Laboratory….and Dinner Table! Scott Bellini, Ph.D., HSPP Children, adolescents, and adults on the autism spectrum are in desperate need of quality social skills programming. The outcomes of social skill interventions often do not measure up to the outcomes of behavior, language, medical, and academic interventions. Results such as these can lead us down two different paths: (a) quit now and cut our losses, or (b) commit ourselves to developing more effective social skills interventions. Dr. Bellini has chosen the latter path and invites others to join him. This presentation will discuss ingredients to both effective and ineffective social skills programming. Dr. Bellini will share his experiences as a researcher, clinician, and school consultant (and social creature!) to demonstrate how social skills programming has the potential to be highly effective for youth on the autism spectrum.
Friday Morning Sessions 10:00-11:30 am
1.	*Assessment for Intervention Planning C, F, S, B, E, O** Dawn Huber, Ph.D. Assessment for intervention planning is a continuous and ongoing process that answers the question, "What individual strengths and concerns should guide intervention planning?" This session will address the essential components of multi-disciplinary assessment (medical, educational, and other community-based services) and how assessment data can be integrated into a comprehensive profile of an individual’s strengths and concerns that becomes the basis for intervention planning.
2.	*Building a Foundation for Self-Determination in the Early Years F, E** Susan Palmer, Ph.D. Active involvement of families, caregivers, and teachers can support young children with disabilities to begin building capacity for later self-determination. This session can help you envision the future for your child and family with regard to future self-determination.
3.	*Introduction to the Building Social Relationships Model: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Interaction Skills to Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum F, S, C, B, E, O** Scott Bellini, Ph.D. This session will provide an overview of the Building Social Relationships (BSR) model developed by Dr. Bellini. The five-step model is a systematic and comprehensive framework to help guide parents and practitioners in the development and implementation of social skills programming. The session will provide the conceptual foundation for the model, and cover specific information on how to assess social functioning and empirically evaluate outcomes. Data will be shared on the efficacy of BSR model and examples will be provided of session structure plans used as part of the new “semi-manualized” BSR program.
4.	*Treatments for Individuals with ASD: Building Family Relationships and Coping Skills F, S, E** Melissa M. Armstrong-Brine, Ph.D. This session will outline the treatment needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum disorders and their families. The session will include a discussion of well-researched treatments that address these needs with particular attention to the purpose and procedures that families may experience. Resources will also be reviewed that provide information on how to locate and implement treatments effectively. Specific treatments discussed will include Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Social Skills Training, and Parent Management Training as they apply to the ASD population.
Friday Afternoon Sessions 1:00-2:30 pm
5.	*Social Skills Instruction in the General Curriculum? YES! B, E** Connie L. Hébert, MS. Ed. and G. Elaine Beussink, M.A., CCC-SLP With the ever pressing issue of developing social and behavioral competence in ALL children, especially children with disabilities, and the ongoing frustration of HOW to provide adequate instruction, there is a need for teachers of every subject to learn strategies to address social skill development. Drawing heavily from the work of Michelle Garcia-Winner and Social Thinking ™ this session will discuss the strong correlation between the Social Thinking Curriculum and Missouri’s Show Me Standards and the Common Core Standards as well as introduce strategies for developing social competence by imbedding the strategies into everyday instruction, across all grades.
6.	*Self-Determination and Student Involvement in Middle and High School F, S, E** Susan Palmer, Ph.D. Youth and adolescents with disabilities benefit from learning about taking active roles in education and educational planning. This session will outline aspects of self-determination that support effective transition and achievement of post-school outcomes.
7.	Social Skill Strategies That Work C, B, E, O** Scott Bellini, Ph.D. This session will cover a number of strategies to assess and teach social skills to youth with ASD. The session will present both well established and new, innovative practices that are currently being investigated at the Social Skills Research Center. A substantial portion of the session will be devoted to one evidence-based strategy to address the needs of children with ASD: video self-modeling (VSM). Obstacles to implementing VSM will be discussed and solutions will be offered. Examples of how to implement these interventions with children on the autism spectrum will be provided with special emphasis on easy-to-implement video modeling interventions.
8.	*Group Cognitive Behavior therapy for Youth with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety C, B, E** Judy Reaven, Ph.D. In this presentation, an overview of the Facing Your Fears program (group cognitive behavior therapy for youth with high-functioning ASD) will be presented, including core components of the program for children and parents. A review of key CBT elements will be discussed, as well as how CBT has been modified for individuals with ASD to treat anxious symptoms. Data from several different treatment trials will be presented, as well as limitations and future directions for study. Videotaped examples will be shown.
Friday Late Afternoon Sessions 2:45-4:15 pm
9.	Intervention Planning Process * C, F, S, B, E, O Dawn Huber, Ph.D. Intervention planning begins with multi-disciplinary assessment of individual strengths and concerns. This session will address how understanding of individual characteristics and needs guides intervention planning including intervention selection, goal setting and progress monitoring. The role of individuals with ASDs and their families in intervention planning will be discussed along with the importance of informed professional judgment and consideration of available research evidence.
10.	*Self-Determination in Adulthood F, S, E** George Gotto, Ph.D. and F. Spencer Hunley, Research Assistant Self-Determination refers to a characteristic of a person that leads them to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences and interest, to monitor and regulate their own actions and to be goal-oriented. This session will discuss each aspect of this definition, providing examples and personal experiences. It will also provide suggestions for things adults with autism can do to increase their levels of self-determination. Finally, the presenters will discuss steps family members can take to support their relative with autism to live a self-determined life.
11.	*PEERS: A Parent-Assisted Social Skills Intervention for Teens with High Functioning Autism F, S, C, B, E** Colleen Dolnick, B.A. and Barbara Braddock, Ph.D., CCC-SLP This session will review the evidence—base of PEERS (Program for the Evaluation and Enrichment of Relational Skills). The screening and intake interview process will be reviewed. Treatment objectives will be highlighted using role play with teens and parent coaching.
12.	*Modifying Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Other Populations C, B, E** Judy Reaven, Ph.D. In this session, the emphasis will be on how Facing Your Fears has been modified to meet the needs of other groups. For example, results from an adolescent treatment trial will be presented along with how the key components in the FYF program were modified to address needs of teens with ASD. An additional focus will be on parent involvement in during this intervention. A brief review how our group has used telecommunications to reach the underserved and initial results from a multisite training grant will also be presented. Videotaped examples will be shown.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday Keynote 8:30-9:45 am The Voice of Families in ASD Research Paul Law, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is an international online research initiative that is designed to increase the pace of new discoveries about autism. Dr. Law will present how families participating in the IAN have advanced autism research and care. He will demonstrate how their participation has contributed to hundreds of exciting research and advocacy projects.
Saturday All Day Workshop (limited capacity) 10:00 am - 4:15 pm This All Day Workshop is now full. Please select alternate Saturday sessions on your registration form.
13.	*Behavioral Skills Training Workshop: “One-Size-Fits-Most Approach to Teaching New Skills” F, C, B, E, O Laura Barnes, M.S., BCBA, LBA, Brooke Burnett, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA , Leanne Hopper, M.A.., BCBA, LBA, Emma Murphy, M.Ed, and Jamie Severtson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA Note:** This is a 4.5 hour workshop. This is a HANDS-ON workshop where ALL attendees will not only learn about Behavioral Skills Training, but will also have the opportunity to practice what they learn in small groups while receiving coaching from the presenters. The practice opportunities gives parents and professionals the chance to use the tools discussed in the presentation and gain valuable feedback before implementing BST in a real-life situation. Audience members will get to observe each other’s scenarios to get additional ideas in which BST can be implemented in the home or classroom. BST has been used in research studies to teach MANY skills including safety, social, life, and job skills.
Saturday Morning Sessions 10:00-11:30 am
14.	*IAN – Missouri Research Partnerships F, S, C, B, E** Paul Law, M.D., M.P.H., discussant, Janet Farmer, Ph.D., ABPP, Micah Mazurek, Ph.D., Mary Clark, R.N., M.P.H., and Nancy Cheak-Zamora, Ph.D. This session will illustrate how data provided by families through the Interactive Autism Network (IAN) can be used to advance research on autism spectrum disorders. Presenters will provide examples of Missouri research conducted using IAN data collected. One study will describe unmet needs among children with ASD and their families in Missouri and across the country. A second study examines patterns of screen-based media use among children with ASD and their siblings to determine how they compare in preferences for television, video games and social media.
15.	*Charting Your Life Course F, S, B, C, E** Michelle “Sheli” Reynolds, Ph.D. Families are critical in the lives of their family members with Autism and/or developmental disorders in both the day-to-day supports but also in providing opportunities for their loved one to create dreams for the future. It is crucial that families have the knowledge, skills and tools about the resources, services and supports available to them now and in the future as they continue to charter a life for their family.
16.	*Taking Care of Business F, S** Robin Jordan, R.N., C.P.N. and Mary Anne Hammond, B.S. This talk was designed for families that have received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, which will most likely be a life long journey. This training will provide information that will help them navigate, organize and communicate effectively in order to make this journey a little easier.
Saturday Afternoon Sessions 1:00-2:30 pm
17.	*Your Experience, Your Voice Matters: The Importance of Family Engagement and Leadership F, S, C, B, E** Michelle “Sheli” Reynolds, Ph.D. Your experience and your voice as a family member are critical for not only ensuring supports for your own child but also in transforming the current and future services and supports available to everyone with Autism and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. As disability policies and practices continue to evolve, it is important to understand the role, the skills and the opportunities for families to be a part of and to drive this transformation.
18.	*Taking a Look at Shared Home/Shared Life F, S, C, B** Noal Presley, B. A. This session will provide information about the companion model of community living utilizing a shared home/shared life approach to provide supports to people with developmental disabilities. Discussion will include comparison with other shared home/shared life approaches and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Important management, philosophical and family considerations will be covered. Resources for more information on shared home/shared live models will be provided.
19.	*Seven Core Concepts of an Effective Special Needs Plan F, C, B, E** Scott Adams, CFP This presentation is designed especially for families, but also welcomes other caregivers and providers in the special needs community. Core concepts important to know about when planning for your child’s future will be discussed that include: Social Security, Self-determination and Advocacy, Basic Legal Needs, Special Needs Trust, Continuity of Care, Post-Education Planning, and Independent Living. How to transition from school to adulthood, determining when guardianship is needed, and transitioning assets to your child are also topics that will discussed.
Saturday Late Afternoon Sessions 2:45-4:15 pm
20.	*Implementing Missouri’s Autism Insurance Legislation: An Update on HB 1311 F, S, C, B, E, O** John Huff, M.B.A, J.D. HB1311 was signed by Gov. Jay Nixon on June 10, 2010 and went into effect January 1, 2011. Missouri’s autism insurance law requires private insurance companies operating in Missouri to provide coverage under group health insurance policies for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy and other health services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This session will provide an update of information for parents and health care providers utilizing health insurance to fund ASD services. Initial successes and challenges implementing the new law during the first year will be discussed. Review of insurance coverage and consumer protections will be highlighted during this session with time allowed for questions and answers.
21.	*A New Approach to Career Exploration and Employment through Vocational Rehabilitation F, S, C, B, E, O** Brenda Simmons, M.S., Kris Hollenbeck, A.A. and Kimberly L. Conrad, M.S., LPC, CBIS This presentation will include just a few of the innovative tools, resources, and services that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors are using to enhance quality employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Highlights of past, present (pilot project with Alternative Opportunities in Springfield), and future Missouri VR employment programs/services for individuals with autism will be showcased. Participants will also have an opportunity for hands-on interaction with Missouri Connections, a new career exploration tool used by VR counselors, school districts, career centers, and colleges to improve career planning.
22.	*Missouri Guardianship: Understanding Your Options and Alternatives F, S, C, B, E** Jane St. John, Community Inclusion Specialist Do you have a loved one or someone you know and care about who is turning 18 soon? Have you been told that you should pursue guardianship? Did you know there are alternatives that can provide support and protection to adults with autism or neurodevelopmental disabilities? Attend this session to learn about options and alternatives to guardianship that provide least restrictive support and protection that your loved one needs and how to make decisions about their life. Even if your child is young it is never too early to start thinking about the future.