2009-2010 Training Calendar - REGISTER TODAY
The New England Center for Children would like to invite you to participate in our professional development workshops scheduled throughout the year. Workshops focus on skills for professionals and paraprofessionals working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the public school setting.

ABA for Educators
We would like to invite you to participate in these upcoming training opportunities. They are perfect for paraprofessionals working directly with students, special educators and general educators including children with autism in their classroom. Training programs incorporate state-of-the-art educational and clinical content with hands-on practice. Instructors are highly qualified clinicians with applied experience in programming for students with autism in a variety of educational settings.

Putting the Pieces Together... ABA in the Classroom
Date: Friday, September 25, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• This training gives participants an introduction to the features of autism spectrum disorder and the unique learning characteristics of this population. The principles of Applied Behavior Analysis will be reviewed including reinforcement and data collection. Most importantly, participants will be provided with practical strategies on how ABA can be incorporated in their classroom environment.

Inclusion: How to Make it Work!
Date: October 9, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• This training provides an overview of how to include children with autism in general education settings. Participants will learn how to maximize student success using various teaching methods with a focus on increasing student independence. Methods to modify curricula, the environment, and instructional presentations to provide access to the curriculum frameworks will be reviewed. Use of data collection to measure student progress will also be discussed.

Teach Me! Effective Learning Strategies for Students with ASD
When: Friday, November 6, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• This training provides a hands-on overview of a number of methods to teach children with autism across a variety of settings. Participants will learn how to incorporate incidental teaching opportunities across the day, teach longer sequences of behavior using task analysis and implement discrete trial methods. Hands-on practice of all teaching and data collection methods will be included.

The Successful Student: Preventing and Reducing Challenging Behaviors
When: Friday, December 11, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.

• A comprehensive review of the steps involved in conducting functional assessments of problem behavior is provided. Includes a review of how to identify and define problem behavior, develop data collection systems, and how to use functional assessment tools. A variety of treatment methods will be reviewed including pro-active strategies, scheduling manipulations and reinforcement programs.

Building Blocks... Teaching Social and Play Skills
When: Friday, January 29, 2010
Time: 8:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m

• This training will provide participants with an overview of how to teach social and play skills to preschool- and elementary-aged children with autism. Typical development of play and social skills will be reviewed along with practical strategies to improve skills in children with ASD including: Photographic Activity Schedules, Video Modeling, Reverse Integration and Peer Tutoring methods.

Moving Up... Working effectively with Adolescents
When: Friday, February 26, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Unique concerns and strategies used in working with middle- and high school-aged students are examined. Participants will learn the key steps in planning for successful student transitions to middle school, high school, and adulthood. Additionally, participants will learn strategies that encourage independence through the use of self-monitoring and creative reinforcement procedures. Hands on exercises are included and discussion is encouraged.

All Together Now... Planning for Successful Group Instruction
When: Friday, February 26, 2010
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• An overview of the components necessary to design and teach in a group instruction format. Includes a review of suggested pre-requisite skills and recommended teaching and recommended teaching procedures. "Group-friendly" data collection methods and reinforcement programs will also be discussed.

Potty Power! Toilet Training Young Children with Autism
When: Friday, March 19, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• This training provides an overview of the steps involved in toilet training young children. Included is a review of pre-requisite skills, how to arrange the environment and plan a training schedule as well as important components of the teaching process. A variety of "helpful hints" will be presented and participants are encouraged to share strategies.

Developing Parent Training Programs
When: Friday, March 19, 2010
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Generalization of skills across school and home is an important part of any child's education. This session will review how to identify target skills for the home setting, parent-friendly teaching strategies and how to promote effective communication across Team members.