2009 Workshop Schedule (ongoing free trainings and special presentations ) from the
Elija Foundation, Levittown, NY.Please see their
Conference Page for full information.
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DESCRIPTION: Elija is here to provide ongoing introductory level information to newly diagnosed families as well as educators and or caregivers new to the field, who have a responsibility toward educating or caring for a child with autism.Please email or call 516 433 4321 to RSVP with your name, number of attendees and session you would like to attend
WHEN: The
first Wednesday of the month from 10am to 12pm by RSVP ONLY
email or call 516 433 4321 with your name, number of attendees and session you would like to attend; No "drop-ins", please.
- July 1, 2009
- August 5, 2009
- September 2, 2009
- October 7,2009
- November 4, 2009
- December 2, 2009
WHERE: Sessions are in the Elija Library 665 N Newbridge Rd Levittown NY 11756 (entrance to parking in back of building on Newbridge Rd)
Go to the Elija Trainings Page for more information-------------------------------------------------------------------
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II. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOPS
Friday, July 24, 2009
Presented By: Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D, The Organization for Autism Research
Title: Bridges to Adulthood
Time: Registration 8:30 - Workshop 9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Venue: Marriott Residence Inn, 9 Gerhard Road, Plainview, New York 11803
Early reg. deadline: before July 17, 2009
Continental Breakfast Included (those with dietary restrictions are kindly asked to bring their own food)
Description:
Today, professionals, families and learners with ASD are beginning to redefine the outcomes of the transition process beyond simple job placement to focus on career development and measures of personal competence and life satisfaction. To this end, this presentation will provide an overview and practical suggestions for transition planning AT ANY AGE in support of desirable and individualized employment outcomes with attention to assessment, community based training, employment development, job-related social skills, and quality of life concerns.
Learning Objectives
After having attended this workshop, participants will be able to: Identify the components of a comprehensive transition plan Define the multiple constituent groups whose needs are to be meet in the employment development process Discuss the important of co-worker training in employment maintenance. Describe the individually determined components of an assessment of quality of life
About the Presenter:
Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is a consultant whose private practice is based in Baltimore, MD. He is the author or co-author of articles and book chapters on the needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder, the school-to-work transition process and analysis and intervention of problematic behavior. He has presented nationally and internationally on these topics.Dr. Gerhardt is the President and the Chairman of the Scientific Council, of the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). He received his doctorate from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. Previous professional positions include serving as the Executive Director Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism, and an appointment as Research Assistant Professor at the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology where he served as the Director of the Division of Transition and Adult Services
at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. It was in this capacity that Dr. Gerhardt co-founded the Douglass Group, a social skills and support service for adults with Asperger's Disorder or High Functioning Autism. He currently serves on numerous professional advisory boards, including the Autism Society of America, MAAP Services, NJ COSAC and ASPEN.
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August 7, 2009Presented By Dr. Bobby Newman & Helen Bloomer
Title: SOCIAL SKILLS & SELF MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ASD: IT’S HARD, BUT IT’S WORTH IT!Please see their
Conference Page for full information.
Time: 10:30am Registration, 11 am- 4 pm Workshop
Location: Levittown Hall 201 Levittown Pkwy Hicksville, NY 11801
Learner Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to identify and describe strategies that can be implemented to increase social skills across behavior, etiquette and conversation domains.
2. Participants will be able to describe the Circles Program and the various components that can be incorporated into it.
3. Participants will be able to identify self-management procedures that can be implemented for each of the strategies discussed.
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Monday-Wednesday August 17-19, 2009
Presented By: Effective Interventions, Inc. Debora Harris BCaBA
and Nicole Dibra
Title: 3 Day Intensive ABA & AUTISM workshop
Time: Registration 8:30- 9 am Workshop 9 am to 4 pm
Early reg. deadline: before August 10, 2009
Continental Breakfast Included , LUNCH ON OWN (those with dietary restrictions are kindly asked to bring their own food)
Venue: Marriott Residence Inn, 9 Gerhard Road Plainview, New York 11803
Description:
Attendees will get an in depth and comprehensive 3 day workshop to learn about Autism and it's core deficits , Applied Behavior Analysis and how it applies to teaching learners with autism, how to utilize the principals of behavior analysis to remediate the deficits of learners with autism, be introduced to the analysis of Verbal behavior and effective teaching strategies that help facilitate communication, reduce learner errors and problem behavior while increasing on task behaviors. Video Examples are used
Learning Objectives:
Participant will gain information on
- The 3 Core Deficits of Autism
- The Definition of Applied Behavior Analysis, What is IS and IS NOT
- The Primary Processes of ABA (Functional Relationships, Reinforcement, Punishment, Extinction)
- The importance of Understanding the Functions of Behavior
- The Analysis of Verbal Behavior
- How to build a rapport and a positive learning environment
- How to gain instructional control through some suggested teaching procedures
- Data collection and Program Design
Presenters:
Debora Harris received her BA in Sociology from Hofstra University. and is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. She completed her coursework and received her certificate in Professional Development in Autism through Penn State University. She serves as the Co Executive Director of The Elija School ,a school for children with Autism, as well as the Co Director of Effective Interventions Clinic, a behavioral clinic/agency serving the needs of individuals with autism. Mrs. Harris is actively involved in the Association for Behavior Analysis at the State and National capacity. She provides advocacy and workshops for families and educators who have been touched by Autism. She has a son on the Autism Spectrum, a daughter, and resides on of Long Island.
Nicole Dibra received her coursework in Behavior Analysis and her certificate in Professional Development in Autism through Penn State University, Bureau of Special Education. She serves as the Co Executive Director of The Elija School ,a school for children with Autism, as well as the Co Director of Effective Interventions Clinic, a behavioral clinic/agency serving the needs of individuals with autism. Nicole provides workshops and staff training and development geared toward improving the competency level of educators and available quality services for individuals with autism. She has 3 children, including a 11 year old son with Autism and lives on Long Island New York
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Friday November,13 2009 and November,March 14, 2009Presented By: Pete Wright, Esq and Pamela Wright
Title: 2 Day Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy BootcampPlease see their
Conference Page for full information.
Time: Registration and Continental Breakfast is 8 am to 9am, Workshops is 9 am -4:30 pm
Venue: Marriott Residence Inn, 9 Gerhard Road Plainview, New York 11803
Early reg deadline: Before October 16 2009
Continental Breakfast & Lunch and afternoon refreshments Included (those with dietary restrictions are kindly asked to bring their own food)
Also included are the books,
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition and
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd EditionDescription:
Two-day Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camps (12 hours)! An intensive and personalized. Participants have opportunities to network.
Learner Objectives:
In a Wrightslaw Boot Camp, you learn how to use special education statutes and regulations to get answers to your questions; to use tests and measurements to measure educational progress; chart out test scores; write SMART IEPs goals and objectives; learn how to use NCLB as a tool to open doors to services, learn how to create paper trails; write effective letters, and use advocacy strategies to negotiate for appropriate special education programs. We limit the number of Boot Camps to five per year and one per region of the country
About the Presenters:
Pete Wright is an attorney who represents children with special educational needs.
In second grade, Pete was diagnosed with learning disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD. He was fortunate - his learning problems were identified early. His parents obtained intensive Orton-Gillingham remediation for him by Diana Hanbury King. Pete's determination to help children grew out of his own educational experiences.
While attending Randolph Macon College, Pete worked in a Juvenile Training School as a houseparent. After graduation with a degree in Psychology, he worked in another Juvenile Training School as a counselor and later became a Juvenile Probation Officer in the Juvenile Court system. In 1972, he was honored as Virginia's "Juvenile Probation Officer of the Year." During that time, Pete was also attending evening college in a graduate psychology program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Pam Wright is a psychotherapist who has worked with children and families since the early 1970's. Her training and experience in clinical psychology and clinical social work give her a unique perspective on parent-child-school dynamics, problems, and solutions. Pam has written extensively about raising, educating and advocating for children with disabilities. Pam is also the editor of The Special Ed Advocate newsletter.
Pete and Pam Wright are Adjunct Professors of Law at the William and Mary Law School where they teach a course about special education law and advocacy and assist with the Law School's Special Education Law Clinic. They are the founders of Wrightslaw, the #1 ranked website about education law, special education law, and special education advocacy
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

WORKSHOPS-Long Island, NY- Elija Foundation 2009 Training & Conference Schedule