Behavior Therapy Associates is pleased to announced we will be presenting at this year’s Autism NJ Conference in Atlantic City, NJ on October 18th & 19th. If you will be attending the conference this year, we invite you to join our clinicians as they present on several key topics throughout the conference. In addition to our seminars, Behavior Therapy Associates clinicians will be available on the exhibit floor for questions and additional information. Please stop by to say hello!
Presenter: Michael Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D
B18 – Self-Regulation & Problem-Solving: Critical Skills for Success
Individuals with ASD are commonly presented with situations where their ability to demonstrate emotional and behavioral control has significant consequences to the individual, peers, school community, and family. The individual and adults need to be prepared with concrete strategies to quickly and effectively engage in problem-solving when thing don’t go as planned. Dr. Selbst will provide user-friendly evidence-based strategies to foster self-regulation and problem-solving, including systematic steps from the POWER-Solving® curriculum (participants do not have to use this curriculum to benefit from this workshop). Participants will design their own “ready position” steps corresponding to challenging situations that their children/students experience.
C26 – ACT Matrix: Manage Stress and Live Life Fully
We all want to live life fully and help our children/students do the same; however, we often get in our own way through unwanted thoughts and feelings as well as maladaptive behaviors. This workshop will utilize evidence-based approaches based upon Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) to teach participants how to use the ACT Matrix. The aim of ACT is to help individuals live a meaningful life, being willing to accept unpleasant inner experiences, while taking action toward a chosen direction. Parents and professionals may apply these steps for their own self-care or for learners with ASD whose cognitive and language abilities fall at least within the low average range.
Presenter: Debra Salzman, Ph.D.
D33 – Anxiety and High-Functioning Autism
Individuals with high-functioning autism often struggle with significant anxiety and fears. These symptoms can greatly impact their learning and home environments and can lead to disruptive behaviors and school avoidance. Participants will learn the symptoms of anxiety and strategies to mitigate them when both an anxiety disorder and high-functioning autism are present. Learning about the mechanisms that maintain the anxiety is the first step in managing it. Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, and Panic Disorder will be discussed.
E43 – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and High-Functioning Autism
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common co-occurring psychiatric disorder among individuals with high-functioning autism. It is marked by intrusive or unwanted thoughts or images which result in ritualistic behaviors and routines in an attempt to alleviate distress. This workshop will highlight the symptoms of OCD and describe evidence-based behavioral treatments for helping youth with OCD and HFA. Challenges to treating OCD among youth with HFA will be outlined along with strategies for overcoming them.
Presenter: Rory Panter, Psy.D.
F56 – Social Skills Training Using Evidence-Based Practices
Social Skills/Social Emotional Learning is critical for individuals of all ages and functioning levels in areas such as interpersonal relationships, school performance, employment, independent living, self-esteem, emotional regulation, behavior control, and independent critical thinking. Participants will learn evidence-based, practical strategies to identify and target socially significant skills for successful social skills development. This includes assessment, identifying specific objectives, criterion for mastery, and ABA approaches to develop skills such as direct instruction, individualized programming, small-group, natural environment teaching, monitoring progress, fostering generalization across environments, parent training and collaboration, and peer modeling.
Presenter: Amy Golden, M.S., BCBA
F56 – Social Skills Training Using Evidence-Based Practices
Social Skills/Social Emotional Learning is critical for individuals of all ages and functioning levels in areas such as interpersonal relationships, school performance, employment, independent living, self-esteem, emotional regulation, behavior control, and independent critical thinking. Participants will learn evidence-based, practical strategies to identify and target socially significant skills for successful social skills development. This includes assessment, identifying specific objectives, criterion for mastery, and ABA approaches to develop skills such as direct instruction, individualized programming, small-group, natural environment teaching, monitoring progress, fostering generalization across environments, parent training and collaboration, and peer modeling.
