Presentation Topics

Day 1 - Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Positive Behavior Support – Matt Tincani, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Temple University

The presentation will overview autism spectrum disorder, principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis, and applications of positive behavior support for children with ASD. Participants will acquire an understanding of the characteristics of individuals with ASD, ABA teaching strategies, and applications of PBS at primary and secondary levels.

Day 2 - Solving Behavior Problems for Children with Autism in Educational Settings – Shana Hornstein, Ph.D., BCBA, Temple University

The workshop provides an introduction to descriptive functional behaviorassessment (FBA) as a tool for understanding patterns relating to problem behaviors and developing effective support plans.

Children and adolescents diagnosed with autism often engage in problem behaviors that range from mildly inappropriate to serious. Such behaviors impact the learner’s academic progress, social relationships and ability to participate in mainstream environments. Professionals who work in educational settings need a way to understand the complexities of such confusing behaviors such as self-injury, stereotypy (repetitive body movements), aggression, tantrums, and refusal to participate with adult directions.

We will discuss the ethical and legal rationale for using functional assessment and explore how to complete the assessment process. Through review, discussion, and interaction about real life and hypothetical cases, this workshop will help educators consider a range of intervention options to address common causes of problematic behaviors.

Day 3 - Effective Teaching Strategies, PBS, and Ethical Behavior Interventions – Amanda Guld, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Melmark

This presentation will provide a rationale for using evidence-based teaching strategies and interventions along with a description of many commonly used evidence‐based strategies and interventions. In addition to choosing research-driven procedures, we will discuss the role of data in making programming decisions within special education programs. The presentation will also address the ethics of implementing evidence-based and data-driven programs such as School Wide Positive Behavior Support and Response to Intervention.

Day 4 - Analysis of Verbal Behavior and Teaching Students with ASD – Saul Axelrod, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Temple University; Kelly K. McElrath, Ph.D., BCBA-D, St. Joseph’s University

The presentation will give an overview of Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior. A distinction will be made between Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and other theoreticians' analysis of language. A distinction will be made between verbal behavior and other types of behavior. There will be discussion of four verbal operants and their antecedents and consequences. There will be an emphasis on how Skinner's analysis relates to teaching verbal behavior to children with autism spectrum disorder.

Day 5- Teaching Academic Skills to Students with ASD – Jason Travers, Ph.D., BCBA-D, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Academic demands often occasion challenging behaviors that are maintained by escape. Consequently, interventionists increase qualities of positive reinforcement in order to achieve compliance and task completion. Alternatively, if instruction is designed using an antecedent intervention model, challenging behavior may be prevented and academic learning enhanced. This session will review strategies to that serve as antecedent interventions during academic instruction for students with autism.

Register Online NOW!

For more information:
Contact Matt Tincani, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Coordinator
tincani@temple.edu -- 215-204-8073