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| The Challenge: Facilitating a Successful Transition into Adulthood for Individuals with Autism and Severe Behavior Challenges |
| Friday, May 22, 2009 |
| 6:00 PM–9:00 PM |
| North 129 A |
| Area: AUT/CSE; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Eileen M. Roscoe, Ph.D. |
| LISA ANNE STUDER DUNN (Melmark New England), Helena L. Maguire (Melmark New England), Rita M. Gardner (Melmark New England) |
| Description: The workshop will describe strategies for maximizing a successful transition into the adult service delivery system for young adults with autism and accompanying behavior challenges. Numerous states are not providing adequate funding for these individuals and there is no emphasis on identifying appropriate ABA services. The focus of the workshop will be to identify the significant needs of these individuals including the need for ABA programming, housing requirements to address the safety and welfare of these adults, the level of staff support that should be identified, the critical variable of staff training in the implementation of empirically-supported interventions, the need for supervision via a certified behavior analyst and the importance of creating a model transition plan based on individual needs. Participants will be expected to discuss their experience with transitional services for the most challenging individual and assist in identifying critical variables which need to be addressed. A discussion will be held regarding the role of staff training and the need to develop competence-based feedback tools to improve the delivery of ABA programming. The roles and responsibilities for both the clinician preparing the individual for the transition and the practitioner preparing to receive the individual will also be discussed. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Be more aware of the vast needs and challenges of young adults transitioning into the adult service delivery system
• Identify the particular areas that need to be assessed prior to transition including housing, staffing patterns, staff training, safety, behavior management, crisis planning and health services
• Complete an individual transition plan highlighting the critical features for increased success with an emphasis on ABA programming
• Identify supporting documentation that can be beneficial for the transition
• Identify the roles and responsibilities for behavior analysts participating in the transition |
| Activities: With the guidance and assistance of workshop presenters, participants will engage in a discussion regarding the challenges of transitioning young adults with autism who have significant aberrant behaviors and how behavior analysts can assist with this process. Participants and presenters will discuss their professional experiences with this process and highlight both the successes and failures of the service provider system in facilitating this important life cycle phase. Participants will assist in identifying the critical needs of transition, will review a sample model of an individual transition plan and will prepare a plan for an individual that they are currently serving. These plans will be shared with the audience for feedback and recommendations. |
| Audience: The workshop is for behavior analysts who work with young adults with significant behavior challenges and who are responsible for the transitional process. The audience may also include practitioners and teachers who participate in this process and/or are responsible for serving individuals in adult services. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |