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| First Three Months of Behavioral Intervention for Children With Autism: A Developmental Perspective |
| Friday, May 27, 2016 |
| 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
| Montreux 2, Swissotel |
| Area: AUT/DEV; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Monika M. Suchowierska-Stephany, Ph.D. |
| Monika M. Suchowierska-Stephany (SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities), LINDA S. HEITZMAN-POWELL (The University of Kansas Medical Center), KATRINA OSTMEYER (Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc.), MIKAYLA M. MCHENRY-POWELL (Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc.) |
| Description: The first three months of early intensive behavioral intervention are a crucial period for a young learner with autism. It has been recommended that the behavioral intervention take into account a developmental perspective, especially as it relates to behavioral cusps leading to autistic development. In this workshop, we will examine several related skills that may be present or absent in young children with autism: stimulus overselectivity, facial recognition, mutually responsive orientation, joint attention, and social referencing. Based on this information, we will propose major therapeutic goals for the first three months of intervention, together with teaching strategies to accomplish those goals. Major challenges of the first three months will also be discussed. The workshop will conclude with some suggestions for the next months of therapy. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to: (1) list developmental concepts that relate to early behavioral intervention; (2) characterize skills that are present or absent in young children with autism and that are behavioral cusps for autistic development; (3) list major therapeutic goals for the first three months of intervention as they relate to the precursors of autism; (4) plan the following months of therapy. |
| Activities: During the course of the workshop, participants will have an opportunity to analyze videos of typically developing children and autistic children to search for the behavioral cusps discussed in the workshop as well as to plan–based on videos of autistic children–goals for the beginnings of their therapy. Small group activities will be organized. |
| Audience: This workshop is designed for behavior analysts who work with families of young children with autism and are responsible for programming therapeutic goals for their pupils. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): autism, behavioral cusps, child development |