Volkmar is a world-renowned child psychiatrist at the Yale University Disabilities Clinic. He is a co-author for the definition of autism in the "Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM IV)." He is a principal clinical researcher on autism, Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, as well as their diagnosis and treatment in infants, children and young adults. His presentation will review the research that supports best practices in home and at school.
Breakout sessions:
Raising Children with Autism--The First 10 Years
Recognizing and accepting that a child has autism is difficult enough, but raising children with autism, determining how to access services from agencies and developing an educational program can be overwhelming for families. Educator and parent of a child with autism, Ana Bustos-Ponce, will help families, parents and professionals make choices that support the caring, raising and educating of individuals with autism and special needs from infancy through adulthood.
Best Practices and Treatment Options
The myriad of autism inventions and interventions presents daunting choices. A practical and comprehensive approach to understanding the options will be given in this workshop. Participants will receive an informational packet on best-practice interventions.
Supporting the Social Development of Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome
Provide practical and powerful ideas for educators and parents. The focus will be on strategies that seamlessly fit into the adolescent's life.
Early Intervention
The KC KIDS STARS team will present screening procedures used for at-risk toddlers who experience autism-spectrum disorders. A reflective-training video used for intensive in-home behavioral programs will demonstrate coaching techniques for parents and therapists.
Enhancing Communication Skills
Examine communication and language-development strategies. The focus will be on a multi-pronged approach for young children with autism.
Simple Sensory Strategies
The importance of sensory strategies in supporting learning and self-regulation for infants through school-age children with autism.
Behavior Solutions and Visual Strategies for Paraprofessionals
For educators supporting children in self-contained and mainstream classrooms. Tailored for those working with individual students who need specific strategies to promote independence and self-regulation.
Continuing education credits are available through FPU. Conference sponsors are FPU, Focus on Unity, Fresno County Office of Education Special Education Local Plan Area and Diagnostic Center, Central California.