The 13th Annual Providence ASD Symposium will be on March 14 - 15th, 2008, at the Providence Westin Hotel.  The theme is Creating Community for Persons with ASD and their Families. The symposium will focus on the theme of creating community for children and older individuals with autism and their families. Presentations by parents and professionals, and a young man with autism, will address issues of creating supportive and caring educational communities and preparing children and adults with autism to be active and participating members of their communities. A cross-cultural perspective also will be presented, based on research examining autism in different cultures. Finally approaches to supporting people with autism who experience challenging behaviors will be presented. The symposium is intended for educators, SLPs, OTs, psychologists, paraprofessionals, social workers, therapists, family members and other caregivers who live with and/or support the development of people with ASD.

THE EARLY BIRD RATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL FEB 22nd!

REGISTER ONLINE : at Community Autism Resources.org

Register by Mail (PDF) - Click Here

Agenda

Friday, March 14th

7:15 – 8:15am: Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:15 – 8:30am: Introduction and Program Overview
8:30 – 10:00am: What in the World is Autism?: How Culture Shapes a Disability - Roy Richard Grinker, Ph.D.
Dr. Grinker will present a cultural history of autism, based on his cross-cultural study of autism (Korea; India; South Africa). Ongoing international research on the epidemiology of autism (Korea) will also be discussed. Throughout the presentation, Dr. Grinker will reflect on parenting his own autistic child, and the effect of his cross-cultural study of autism on choices his family has made.
10:00 – 10:15am: Beverage Break
10:15 – 11:45am: What in the World is Autism?: How Culture Shapes a Disability (cont’d.)
11:45am – 1:15pm: Lunch on your own
1:15 – 2:45pm: Respectful Approaches to Behavior Support: Moving Away from the Culture of Coercion - Fredda Brown, Ph.D.
For many years we have fought against the use of aversive strategies to reduce problem behavior, and have developed a technology of highly effective positive behavior supports. Much progress has been made and many states have placed prohibitions or restrictions on the use of coercive interventions, with guidelines for development of respectful behavioral interventions. However, there is a class of strategies that do not look like “aversives” that are indeed aversive to the people we are trying to support. Because they do not fit the standard notions of “aversive” they are less likely to be restricted or monitored by regulatory groups—they fall “under the radar.” This presentation will explore this culture of coercion to increase awareness of this phenomenon so that we can better support the development of respectful behavior supports. Strategies and tools to evaluate behavior intervention plans and develop positive strategies will be provided.
2:45 – 3:00pm: Break with light refreshments
3:00 - 4:30pm: Respectful Approaches to Behavior Support: Moving Away from the Culture of Coercion (cont’d.)

Saturday March 15th

7:15 – 8:15am: Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:15 – 8:30am: Introduction and Program Overview
8:30 – 10:00am: Disabilities, Possibilities, and the Arts - Keri Bowers & Taylor Cross
This presentation will begin with a 10-minute keynote by Taylor Cross entitled “Influences of My Community.” You will also view a short clip of Keri & Taylor’s film, Normal People Scare Me. Topics in a discussion to follow will include strategies to use the arts, film, drama, and music to develop social and life skills; how to use community resources to your advantage. Also, Micro-Enterprise—Taylor is part of a growing phenomenon in customized employment options for people with disabilities. Talk will include how we got from “there” to “here.” Finally, the making of Normal People Scare Me, fulfilling a dream.
10:00 – 10:15am: Beverage Break
10:15 – 11:45am: Disabilities, Possibilities, and the Arts (cont’d.)
In this portion of the presentation, you will view a short clip of The Sandwich Kid followed by a presentation on family dynamics including topics such as: How to create and find a sibling group, and why they’re important; Family dynamics—we’ll explore different roles in the family dynamics—how disability affects the individual family members (dads vs. siblings issues) for example. Finally, “Mapping Transitions to Your Child’s Future”—a family role in planning for the future together.
11:45am – 1:15pm: Lunch on your own
1:15 – 2:45pm: Inclusive Programming for Students
with ASD: Developing and Building Programs for Success - Sheila Wagner, M.Ed
This presentation will identify best practices for building inclusive programs (K-12), and components necessary for ensuring success for both students with ASD, and their typical peers. In addition, student analysis, peer programming, behavior programs and academic strategies will be covered
to allow for practical implementation in classrooms.
2:45 – 3:00pm: Break with light refreshments
3:00 - 4:30pm: Inclusive Programming for Students
with ASD (cont’d.)

Location

This Symposium will be held at the Westin, Providence RI.

Accomodations

A block of rooms is being held at the Westin Providence for $159 single/double (401.598.8000) until February 12 and the Providence Biltmore, a block from the Westin, for $154 (jr. suites) & $134 (standard king) (401.421.0700) until February 12. Please reserve early! To obtain the special rate, mention Community Autism Resources when making reservations.

Other lodging options may be found at www.pwcvb.com, by calling 401.351.2090, or by emailing info@pwcvb.com.

Confirmation

You will receive a confirmation by mail, an email confirmation if registering within one week of the symposium.

Cancellation Policy

A $30 cancellation fee will apply to all registrants who cannot attend. Notice of cancellation must be given two weeks prior to the symposium. No refunds will be granted after that date. The same policy applies for purchase orders. A substitution may be made at any time. Returned checks will be charged $25.

Continuing Education

SLPs: Childhood Communication Seminars, Inc. is approved by the Continuing Education Board of ASHA to offer continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. Day 1 is offered for .5 CEUs (Introductory level; Professional area); Days 2 & 3 are offered for 1.1 CEUs (Advanced level; Professional area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
OTs: Approved for OT recertification through NBCOT for 5 contact hours for Day 1; 11 contact hours for Days 2 & 3
MA Educators: Childhood Communication Seminars, Inc. is a registered provider for the state of Massachusetts. 5 PDPs will be awarded for attendance for Day 1; 11 PDPs will be awarded for Days 2 & 3.
RI Educators: Childhood Communication Seminars, Inc is a registered with the RI Dept of Ed as a Professional Development vendor.
Social Workers: Childhood Communication Seminars, Inc has applied to the RI State Board of Social Work Examiners for approval. Call 401-467-7008 for more information.
Psychologists: Childhood Communication Seminars is currently applying to become an approved sponsor for APA psychologists.
All Attendees: All attendees will receive a CEU certificate for the appropriate number of hours they have completed.