Training and Workshops
The Virginia Institute of Autism works with parents, school districts and other professional agencies to customize group workshops and trainings on autism-related topics and applied behavior analysis (ABA). These may be on- or off-site, and the group size, workshop length, and content can be tailored to fit the organization’s needs.
For more information or to develop a plan for a custom workshop, contact Peggy Halliday, Director of Outreach, at (434) 923-8252 or phalliday@viaschool.org.
Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future is an intensive three-day workshop offered several times each year, and is designed to provide parents and professionals with training in the theory and application of ABA principles, specifically as they relate to children with autism. Topics covered include the principles of reinforcement, ABA-based teaching techniques, assessing the function of behavior, and data collection and analysis. The workshop includes lecture, hands-on activities, and student observation. A 20% discount in the workshop registration fee is offered to parents and home therapists. VIA also accepts payment by the DD Waiver Provider (#010264740) for Family and Caregiver Training. Click here to see the workshop flyer
Workshop dates
- June 27 – 29, 2011
- September 26 – 28, 2011
- November 14 – 16, 2011
- January 30 – February 1, 2012
- March 19 – 21, 2012
- June 25 – 27, 2012
Registration for each workshop is on a first come-first served basis. Space is extremely limited. Due to the high demand and small size of the Shaping the Future workshop, the following reservation and cancellation policies are in place.
Click here to download registration form
Focus Workshops for parents & educators
9:30 - 11 am at VIA
Toilet Training for Children with Autism, Friday, January 13, 2012
Treating Sleep Problems of Children with Autism, Friday, January 27, 2012
$10 per person per session, sign up by contacting Jennifer Wooten, jwooten@viaschool.org
Increasing On-task Behavior through Individualized Motivational Systems
While visual strategies and environmental accommodations help students with autism succeed in school, they are often not enough. Because many students with autism are not inherently motivated by the social contingencies around them, more concrete systems for positive behavior support play a critical part in developing a successful program. Information on how to develop and introduce various systems as well as considerations for students at different levels will be discussed. Samples will be available for display along with videotaped examples of implementation.
Overcoming Sensory Sensitivities in the Classroom
Sensory hyper- or hypo-sensitivities are often considered apart from other aspects of an educational program for a student with autism. For example, some students demonstrate difficult behaviors in environments with high levels of noise while others initiate for deep pressure or high movement activities, such as jumping or bouncing on a ball. This presentation will discuss to address sensory sensitivities without reinforcing inappropriate behaviors that go along with them. We will consider a holistic approach to addressing such issues, including desensitization, contingent and non-contingent schedules of reinforcement, and focus on teaching replacements for problematic sensory-seeking or sensory-escape behavior.
Incorporating Behavioral Strategies in Group Instruction
This workshop is targeted toward staff already familiar with the basics of behaviorally-based instruction and reinforcement. Beginning with a basic knowledge of how behavioral principles can be applied with an individual student, the workshop will expand on these ideas to make them applicable to groups of students with varying levels of independence and academic functioning. Specific ideas regarding scheduling, teaching techniques, and behavior management systems will be offered for teachers seeking to provide intensive instruction with groups of students.
Teaching Preschoolers with Autism and Developmental Delay
This introductory workshop will provide an overview of the important “learning-to-learn skills” that provide the basis for success as students progress through school. A combination of structured and natural learning techniques will be discussed as well as considerations for assessment of individual student needs.
Direct Instruction for Teaching Assistants (Parts 1 and 2)
Part 1: This workshop will introduce the basic components of direct instruction for students with autism and discuss considerations in terms of pace, prompting, and reinforcement. Videotaped examples will be provided. Part 2: The second part of this workshop will provide additional activities to allow hands-on practice of direct instruction techniques as well as further information on error correction strategies.
Effective Strategies for Managing Challenging Behavior (Parts 1 and 2)
Part 1: This workshop will provide an overview of identifying the main functions of behavior, including challenging behavior. Methods for assessing function and general strategies for addressing behavior in each functional category will be provided. Part 2: As a follow-up, this workshop will walk through the steps in developing a comprehensive behavior support plan. As group size allows, this can include breakout sessions to discuss behavioral scenarios in small groups and practice developing plans based on hypothetical scenarios.
