Parent Training Seminars
Visual Scheduling and Visual Strategies in the Home
Participants will learn the basics of using visual scheduling and visual cuing to
organize activities within the home. This seminar combines a 1-hour didactic
presentation with a 1/2 hour "make and take" session. Participants leave with a high
quality visual schedule board appropriate to their child's developmental level and up
to 5 activity cards ready to be attached to the schedule. Participants are also
provided with a CD of approximately 1,000 activity pictures they can use to make
visual schedules at home.
Sensory Issues and the OTs Role in the School Setting
Participants will obtain a basic understanding of the role of sensory issues in
Autism spectrum disorders and the role an occupational therapist plays in supporting
IEP goals at school. The seminar combines a 1-hour lecture with a 1/2 hour "make and
take" session. Participants create and take home one of 4 sensory toys, along with
directions for making a variety of sensory toys at home.
Building Social Skills
Participants learn the basics of using social stories and social cue cards to build
social skills in students with Autism spectrum disorders. The seminar combines a 45-minute
didactic lesson with a 45-minute activity teaching participants how to write social stories
tailored to the individual needs of their child. Participants take home a social story
and/or a set of social cue cards they design.
Assistive Technology for Students with Autism
Participants learn the basics of how assistive technology can be used to support the
IEP goals of students with Autism spectrum disorders. The seminar consists of a 1-hour
presentation which includes the opportunity for parents to see real examples of the types
of technology discussed.
Caring for the Caregiver
"Parenting a child with a disability is a marathon, not a sprint." As the mother of
two teenage sons with autism, our presenter has been running this race for seventeen years.
Using humor and practical advice, she moves beyond standard stress-management to address
the emotional, financial, and physical strains or parenting children with autism, as well
as the blessings they bring to parents' lives. This session is a must for parents of
young children with disabilities, as well as an eye-opening experience for educators.
The Vocabulary of Behavior Change
Participants are introduced to the basic concepts of classical and operant conditioning
with specific application to school settings. Because it introduces basic vocabulary, it
is recommended that this 1-hour presentation be scheduled prior to the Building Self-Care
Skills; Using Behavioral Approaches to Build Communication; or Basics of FBA.
Building Self-Care Skills
Participants learn to apply basic concepts of operant conditioning to increasing the
functional independence of their children, specifically within the area of self-care.
This 1 hour seminar is tailored to the needs of participants, therefore the host
organization is provided with a questionnaire for parents to complete and return
prior to the event. Information from the questionnaires is used by SBS to tailor the
presentation to the specific concerns of the participants.
And Away We Go! Managing Family Outings
Participants are introduced to behavioral techniques for making family outings to
grocery stores, restaurants, church, etc. less stressful and more enjoyable for
everyone in the family. The seminar combines a 45 minute introductory lesson with
a 45 minute "make and take." Participants leave with a set of behavioral cue cards,
grocery cart schedule, and/or a set of church activity sheets.
Using Behavioral Approaches to Build Communication
Participants are introduced to a variety of behavioral techniques to support communication.
Topics range from eliciting simple requests from nonverbal children to teaching subtle social
conventions such as respecting personal space and maintaining an appropriate volume. Whether
the child speaks independently or uses sign language, picture exchange, or other communication
supports, this session will provide research-proven techniques to build communication skills.
The Basics of FBA
Participants are introduced to the basics of functional behavior analysis and how
it is used to modify problem behaviors. Information is presented in a 1 hour seminar
with opportunities for participants to discuss specific behaviors of concern.
Asperger's in the Mainstream/Supporting Your Child's Success
Participants learn strategies for supporting their child's success in the general education
setting. The seminar combines a 45 minute lecture with a 45 minute "hands on" session creating
a notebook introducing their child to his/her new classmates.
Preparing Students with Aspergers for Independent Living
Students with Asperger's Syndrome often excel academically but fail to acquire the basic
self-care and household management skills they need to live independently. Participants will
be led through the process of identifying the skills their children need to develop before
living alone. The session will then address training and environmental and social supports
to address these needs. Participants will leave the session with a packet of schedules,
checklists, and other visual supports to help their children become more independent adults.
Life After Public School: Transition Issues
Participants are provided practical strategies for effective transition planning.
This one-hour seminar teaches parents how to pool school, community and family resources
to prepare students for work, leisure and independent or semi-independent housing after graduation.