Sunday, March 28, 2010

Repeat: Yale Child Center makes course on autism available online at no cost to the public

**Repeat of post from March 24, 2010 - this really is an exceptional opportunity to access a quality resource at no cost, and I want to let it stand a few days so readers can take note of its availability. The original post was bumped for a time-urgent workshop announcement**

The Yale Child Study Center has recently made their undergraduate seminar course on autism available to the public online at no cost.




This is the same course that has been available to Yale University students. Presentations include .pdf handouts to accompany. If the videos are viewed on YouTube, there is the option of close captioning and possibly translation.















These seminars may be of interest and value as a general overview of the various areas of research and application involved in the autism spectrum disorders.

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.


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Saturday, March 27, 2010

WORKSHOP: April 30, 2010 - Hicksville, NY - "Autism & How it affects the entire family unit: How to recognize and remediate quality of family life issues..."

Presentation: Autism and how it affects the entire family unit: How to recognize and help remediate quality of family life issues - From marriage, friendships to siblings.
Presenters: David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA, & Ruth Donlin, M.S.

Date: April 30, 2010
Time: 10am to 2:00pm [10am-12Noon; 12:30-2:00pm]
Location: Levittown Community Hall
201 Levittown Parkway
Hicksville, NY (between Stewart Ave. and Old Country Rd.)
See Elija Foundation conference page for full information, cost, registration and RSVP.

10:00am - 12:00Noon : What about me? Understanding and addressing the needs of siblings of children with autism
Presenter: David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA
Description: The bond we share with our siblings is one of the longest, most important relationships of our lives. Unfortunately, many parents may struggle with concerns and questions related to their typically developing children.

This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of some common sibling challenges and address important topics such as the possible impact of autism on siblings, parent-sibling communication, siblings' understanding of autism and related disabilities, siblings' relationships with their friends, self esteem, and balanced parenting.

Objectives
  • Learner will identify several possible positive and negative effects of autism on the sibling.
  • Learner will describe strategies for communicating with the sibling about autism
  • Learner will describe strategies for helping the sibling manage questions from peers
Presenter bio: David Celiberti received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Rutgers University in 1993 and obtained his certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2000. He is President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment and President and founder of the Parent Professional Partnership SIG of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). He is in private practice, providing consultation to schools and agencies in the U.S. and Canada, and has authored several articles in professional journals and presents frequently at regional, national, and international conferences. He has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels and has conducted research in the areas of applied behavior analysis, family intervention, and autism.

12:30pm-2:00 pm: How to beat the statistics: Understanding and addressing how autism affects the family unit
Presenter: Ruth Donlin, M.S.
Description: Families can become consumed with improving the life of their child(ren) with autism. However, in becoming singular in their focus to make sure they have done everything they can to help their child, they may overlook how to create a balanced family environment of love, peace, and stability which serves as the foundation by making the family relationships a priority and focus. There are purported statistics indicating that the divorce rate of families of children with autism is in the 80% range. Personal difficulties reported by parents of autistic children include increased stress; poor physical health; depression; excessive time demands; parental burnout; effect on family life, and future psychosocial problems. Parents also report decreased marital satisfaction and increased marital turmoil as a result of the daily  tensions associated with raising an autistic child. This is an important  observation considering that marital satisfaction seems to be a strong  predictor of a parent’s ability to cope with his/her child's disability (Friedrich, 1979). 
This workshop will focus on employing strategies to build and strengthen the family unit.

 Objectives:
  • Learner will recognize common family stressors when raising a child with  autism.
  • Learner will identify strategies for improving marital communication  toward a common goal.
  • Learner will identify strategies to rectify these stressors and improve  the family unit.
Presenter bio:  Ruth Donlin is a consultant whose private practice is based in New York. She provides consultation to schools, agencies, and home programs that serve children and adults on the autism spectrum. She has completed her course requirements for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute and is currently completing her dissertation. She presents on a variety of topics such as challenging behaviors, classroom management, using visual supports, team dynamics, and social skill development at conferences regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Ms. Donlin is President of the Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) for the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
 ---------
Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

WORKSHOP: IN 3/27/10 - Teresa Grimes, M.S., BCBA & Steve Ward, M.A., BCBA

IN FEAT (Indiana Families for Effective Autism Treatment) is hosting Teresa Grimes, M.S., BCBA & Steve Ward, M.A., BCBA
from Whole Child Consulting,
in a workshop for parents and professionals on  
The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires.

Saturday, March 27, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hammond, Indiana

Conference Location
The Calumet Conference Center
at Purdue University Calumet
2300 173rd Street Hammond, IN 46323
(219)989-3136

The workshop is free/no-cost*. There is a $20 fee for the box lunch and coffee service.
* BACB CEs offered for BCBAs and BCaBAs. There is an additional charge for BACB credits.
Full description from the IN FEAT website.
***After March 21st, please call to secure a seat and make arrangements to pay the day of the conference.***
For questions, contact
jillannmcneil@aol.com or call Jill at  (219)742-2803.

Description of the event:
This workshop is designed for teachers, parents and therapists, and can benefit all students, no matter their developmental level. The focus of this workshop is on helping students become easier to teach.
The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires will help you identify ways to make your students easy to teach, and this workshop takes the next step- showing you how to teach those learner repertoires. Stop wasting time working too hard to teach anything, and teach your student how to learn! 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEARNER? Good learners respond readily in a wide variety of circumstances. They demonstrate "quality responding" in all environments.  

The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires asks how well your student performs in a variety of specific instructional conditions. It is a detailed assessment that goes beyond other assessments. 
It looks at core behaviors, such as 
  • Resilience and Regulation, 
  • Perseverance and
    Focus, Flexibility, and Spontaneity. 
It helps you pinpoint the areas which are most important to target to help your student become a good learner. In addition, it helps you evaluate the adaptations required to evoke quality responding and to focus on removing those adaptations over time, so the learner can maintain quality responding in the most natural circumstances possible.

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Yale Child Center makes course on autism available online at no cost to the public

The Yale Child Study Center has recently made their undergraduate seminar course on autism available to the public online at no cost.




This is the same course that has been available to Yale University students. Presentations include .pdf handouts to accompany. If the videos are viewed on YouTube, there is the option of close captioning and possibly translation.



These seminars may be of interest and value as a general overview of the various areas of research and application involved in the autism spectrum disorders.

----------
Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.


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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Fascinating audio presentation by Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D on verbal behavior assessment for children with autism and the VB-MAPP

This is a fascinating (and long) audio presentation by Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA (may need Quicktime), of the rationale and history of the application of Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior to learners with autism.

Dr. Sundberg discusses appropriate structuring of curriculum based on learner skill levels, and comparison of typical learner repertoires and language levels and how this informed Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program/ VB-MAPP development.

I believe that this is useful in considering a holistic and compassionate picture of teaching language to children with autism; it's long, but worth listening to - and more than once if you can do it.

35. A NEW GENERATION OF VERBAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION: THE VB-MAPP
2008 Penn State National Autism conference
August 5, 2008 9-4:15PM
Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Audio (mp3)   Handout (pdf)

(INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED, BACB CEUs)
The evolution of Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior will be presented, with an update on its application using the VB-MAPP.


All past posts related to Mark Sundberg and his presentations

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

A favorite article: "A model for problem solving in discrete trial training for children with autism."

While not a "VB" article, per se, I like to point this particular paper out to people when I can because I think it's very useful for thinking about how to teach and assess progress or, as may occur, lack therein in a logical and systematic matter. Don't let the "discrete trial" of the title throw you; there are other instructional strategies discussed, including incidental teaching and video modelling.


Ferraioli, S., Hughes, C., & Smith, T. (2005). A model for problem solving in discrete trial training for children with autism. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention , 2(4), 224-246.

Note: As of 2010, the Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention is in the process of changing its name; it will now be known as the Journal of Behavior Assessment and Intervention in Children (JBAIC)
See the Journal website for more information.

----------
Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.


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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Second Call for the Summer Direct Instruction Conferences in Eugene, OR & NEW Direct Instruction for Students with ASDs, Columbus, OH

Another reminder about two summer conferences of interest to those who use the Direct Instruction (Becker, Engelmann) model of instruction or are interested in learning more about it and specific curriculum packages-
  • 36th National Direct Instruction Conference And Institutes, which will be held in Eugene, Oregon and
  • Effective Programs for Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders—A Direct Instruction Conference, Columbus, Ohio. (As a special note, the Columbus, Ohio conference is being hosted in cooperation with Haugland Learning Center).
For example, some of the language concepts taught in
"Language for Learning"
For more videos at Youtube


36th National Direct Instruction Conference And Institutes July 25–29, 2010
Hilton Eugene Hotel & Conference Center
Eugene, Oregon

Beginning and Advanced Training
College Credit
BACB® Approved Continuing Education Units available


"Join us for the longest running, most comprehensive Direct Instruction Training available.

This year we are pleased to present long time DI Consultant Carolyn Schneider along with Zig Engelmann as our keynote speakers.

We will have sessions for beginning and veteran users, as well as sessions designed for classroom teachers and parapros, coaches, and administrators. Special tracks for general, and special education and many others will be highlighted"

Please see the conference brochure for full information on events, registration and lodging.

Questions about the National Direct Instruction Conference should be directed to the Association for Direct Instruction



AND a new special focus Direct Instruction Conference in Columbus, Ohio

Effective Programs for Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders—A Direct Instruction Conference, Columbus, Ohio
August 16–18, 2010
Hilton Columbus/Polaris
Columbus, Ohio

BACB® Approved Continuing Education Units available!
College Credit Available!
Training Designed for Teachers, Practitioners and Parents!

"Training on Reading Mastery, Language for Learning, DISTAR Arithmetic, Connecting Math Concepts and Corrective Reading Comprehension will be featured at this training tailored specifically for those that work with students with an ASD diagnosis."
[Blog author note - for information on these curriculum packages, see Signals, The Direct Instruction Community]

Please see the conference brochure for full information on events, registration and lodging.

Questions about the Effective Programs for Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders conference should be directed to the Association for Direct Instruction

------------------------------
For More Background on Direct Instruction


Signals, The Direct Instruction Community 

Zigsite: The website of Zig Engelmann


Direct Instruction page at the Precision Teaching Hub & Wiki

[some links and info need updating]


An Introduction to Direct Instruction
Special Connections

Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki

DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Interesting blog on Direct Instruction

I was looking for a Direct Instruction (Becker & Engelmann model) reference and ran across the blog,
D-Ed Reckoning. Very interesting, and some useful advice between the posts themselves and the comments.

For example, the post from

June 27, 2008
Question 4: What to do after 100 easy Lessons

That's a common question, with some uncommonly good answers.
Hope it helps. Happy reading.


----------
Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Friday, March 12, 2010

WORKSHOP : April 12-13, 2010 - Leesburg, VA - Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D- A Behavioral Approach to Language Assessment and Intervention

A BEHAVIORAL APPROACH TO LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION
Presented by Dr. Mark Sundberg, Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral

WHERE: The Aurora School,
420 Wildman Street, Leesburg, VA 20176

WHEN:  April 12-13, 2010, 8:30am-4:30pm*
*Coffee/Continental breakfast, water, and light snacks provided. Lunch is on your own.

Please visit The Aurora School for full details, costs and registration form

This workshop will teach participants how to use the VB-MAPP (the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program), to assess an individual’s language and social skills, and how to identify potential barriers that may inhibit a child’s development. The VB-MAPP is derived from behavior analysis, B.F. Skinner analysis of verbal behavior, and the developmental milestones of typical children.
  • Identifying intervention priorities
  • Using the VB-MAPP to determine an individualized language and social skills program
  • Transition to a less restrictive environment
  • Setting up a verbal behavior classroom or home program,
  • Choosing augmentative communication systems,
  • Data collection
  • Reducing problem behavior 
----------
Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

WORKSHOPS: Levittown, NY: Elija School "Opening Doors Workshop Series"

The Elija School  "Opening Doors Workshop Series"

Workshops presented by Debora Harris, BCaBA*
Time: 7 PM- 8:30 PM
Fee:  $15 for Individual Topic
Location: Elija School  
100 Periwinkle Rd. Levittown NY 11756
To Register: jkaplan@elijaschool.org  or  call 516 216 5270

Dates & Topics
  • March 18th, 2010 - Special Education Law and Advocacy      
  • March 24, 2010 - Curriculum Development- How to effectively use the ABLLS and other assessment guides.  
  • April 29, 2010 - Sensory Issues – Habit reversal and desensitization.
  • May 20, 2010 - Intensive Toilet Training- Steps for teaching initiation and how to move away from schedule dependence.
  • June 24, 2010 - Learning is Fun! Building a relationship with students and setting a positive environment for learning.
  • July 29, 2010 - Problem Solving- Elements of good teaching.
* Debora  received her BA in Sociology from Hofstra University and is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.  She serves as the Co-Executive Director of The Elija School, is Co Founder of the ELIJA Foundation and Co Director of Effective Interventions Clinic, a behavioral clinic/agency serving the needs of individuals with autism. Debora has volunteered her time to numerous autism groups such as the Nassau County's Department of Health Early Intervention Coordinating Council, The New York State Association of Behavior Analysis,  Nassau County Autism Coalition run by the County Executive and currently serves as a board member of The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). For the past 8 years she has been providing advocacy to famlies and conducted training workshops to promote evidence based instruction for families and educators who have been touched by Autism. She has an 11 year old son with autism. 

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.


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Monday, March 8, 2010

WORKSHOPS: Dayton, OH area - DAFEAT workshop schedule for 2010

DAFEAT- Dayton [Ohio] Area Families for Effective Autism Treatment

Workshop schedule for 2010

DAFEAT notes that registration will be available one month before the event.

These monthly workshops are FREE for DAFEAT members and at a nominal cost for non-members, which includes a year-long membership to DAFEAT. Please see the DAFEAT website for information.
March 20, 2010
Ask for Anything:  Mand Training with Signed Responses
Amber Valentino, Ph.D, BCBA-D
Registration currently open
Other workshops

April 17, 2010
Ask for Anything 2:  Mand Training with Vocal Responses & Advanced Requesting Skills
Amber Valentino, Ph.D., BCBA-D

May 8, 2010
Natural Environment Training
Carl Sundberg, Ph.D, BCBA-D

June 19, 2010
I Want to Learn!  An Intro to Beginning Structured Teaching
Amber Valentino, Ph.D., BCBA-D

July 17, 2010
Show Me The Data! An Intro to Data Collection, Analysis & Graphing
Amber Valentino, Ph.D., BCBA-D

August 28, 2010
Just Go Already! An Intro to Toilet Training
Amber Valentino, Ph.D., BCBA-D

September 18, 2010
Dealing with Challenging Behaviors
Carl Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D

October, 2010
18-Hour VB Intensive 3-Day Training Workshop
Lisa Flake, BCaBA

November 20, 2010
Why ABA?
Amber Valentino, Ph.D., BCBA-D

December 11, 2010
VB-MAPP Language Barriers
Carl Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Friday, March 5, 2010

The Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project

I would like to share this video from the PaTTAN (Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network)  Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project which I believe is one that gives a reasonable and realistic slice of what Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior looks like - and to counter what I see as unfair and misrepresentative stereotypes that applied behavior analysis is not considerate or caring to the children being taught and assisted under this method of intervention. I might add that often times these misrepresentations are made by those who have their own commercial reasons for making such statements.

Please note that many of the behavior analysts in this video are themselves parents of children with autism and, naturally,  have a personal interest in their own children receiving effective and ethical treatment, as well as the children that they serve and instruct.

Verbal Behavior Project





Related resources from PaTTAN/Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Network

PaTTAN generously makes these materials free of charge.

 Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Network Family Handbook,
Includes,
  • What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? . 7
  • What is Verbal Behavior (VB)? . 8
  • How Do We Implement VB in the Classroom? . 10
  • What is the Behavioral Language Assessment Form (BLAF)? . 11
  • What is the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS)? . 12
  • What is the VB-MAPP? . 13
  • Important Terms to Know . 14
  • Behavior Reduction . 15
  • Resources . 17
  • APPENDIX 1. – BLAF . 18
  • APPENDIX 2. – ABLLS. 21
  • APPENDIX 3. – VB-MAPP Milestones Master Scoring Form. 22
  • APPENDIX 4. – VB-MAPP Barriers Scoring Form . 23
  • APPENDIX 5. – Reinforcement Assessment Form . 24
  • APPENDIX 6. – Glossary of Terms . 26
The Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project
A Beginning Guide to the Intensive Teaching Process of the Verbal Operants

Advanced Verbal Behavior Principles and Approaches for Developing Language in Children with Autism
December 9, 2005
Workshop Materials

Other Training materials from PaTTAN

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

WORKSHOPS: NY - March 16 & 18, 2010 - ProjectLink's FREE workshops with James D. Partington, Ph.D., BCBA-D


Project Link has announced their no-cost workshops with presenter,
James Partington, Ph.D., BCBA



Tuesday March 16, 2010
Malta Town Hall
2540 Rte. 9, Malta, NY 12020
Registration 8:30 a.m., Workshops 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

9 a.m.–11 a.m. Parents/Professional Questions and Answers- Project LINK’s exclusive series is back.
Please bring or send in your questions on the registration form and they will be addressed.

11 a.m.–2 p.m. The research is in! For the first time Dr. Partington will be presenting his research on
typically developing children tracked by the ABLLS®-R. Age ranges, norms, averages
and means for every skill area have been calculated and will be released in journals soon.
Be the first to see how your child compares!

2 p.m. –4 p.m. The imitative repertoire, the research, the needs and importance of developing this critical
area for a child’s success. Practical strategies will be explored to ensure participants have
the tools to enhance their child’s learning

Thursday March 18, 2010
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065
Registration 8:30 a.m., Workshop 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Programming and Teaching in the Natural Environment-
Parents, educators and providers often have difficulty determining how to transfer skills into everyday
settings. This workshop has been redesigned with new video, enhanced strategies for teaching with
critical programming elements that will provide the participants with solid teaching practice in everyday
settings. Participants will view, analyze and learn from various school, home and community settings.

Please see the registration form for full information, which includes contact info for questions.


Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki

DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA video from February 10, 2010 presentation

Robert Schramm, M.A., BCBA has posted twelve video segments from his 10 February 2010 presentation in Trondheim, Norway. Robert suggests it as potentially useful to those who may have read his book  Educate towards recovery: Turning the tables on autism, but have not had an opportunity to attend one of his workshops or presentations.

A Basic Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
and Verbal Behavior for Parents, Students and Teachers

Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA
Part 1 (of 12)




All 12 of the video segments can be viewed at Robert Schramm's YouTube video channel

On a related note, Robert will be presenting a workshop (5/28/10) and chairing a panel discussion (5/31/10) at the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual convention in San Antonio, TX (5/28/10 - 6/1/10).

Workshop #40           CE: PSY/BACB
05/28/2010   6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Republic A (Grand Hyatt)   Autism/AUT
CE Instructor: Robert Schramm, M.A., BCBA

Motivating Learner Participation Without Blocking Escape, Forced Physical Prompts, or Nagging
ROBERT SCHRAMM (Institute Knospe-ABA)

# 445 Panel Discussion
05/31/2010   3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
203AB (CC)   Autism/AUT; Applied Behavior Analysis

Gaining Learner Instructional Control Without Blocking Escape, Forced Physical Prompts, or Nagging
Chair: Robert Schramm (Institute Knospe-ABA)
BENNO BOECKH (Institute Knospe-ABA)
ALLISON KANE (Kane ABA Consulting)
SILVA VARTOOMIAN KLEINFELD VARTOOMIAN (University of Maryland, Balitmore County)

Related past posts:
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
WORKSHOP: May 16-19, 2010 - Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA in Alexandria, VA

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Best wishes!

Blog to the Verbal Behavior Wiki
DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, for information only and
not intended to be professional advice or endorsement.


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