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Upcoming Trainings from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project
NEW - Teaching Critical Communication Skills
Missoula June 12th
You will learn how to teach critical communication skills that lead to greater independence in the home, work, school, and community settings. We review nine specific skills: requesting reinforcers, requesting help, requesting a break, indicating yes and no, waiting, following directions, schedule-following, and transitioning. Through lectures, demonstrations, videos, and participatory activities, you will acquire specific teaching strategies that are relevant for anyone who has limited communication skills, regardless of their communicative modality (e.g., Picture Exchange Communication System [PECS], signing, device use, speech).
You can find more information and register here.
An Online Review of the Aversive Treatment Rule
This online training will review the process of developing an aversive treatment plan and will include example forms for each step of the process. This may be the last training on this topic during the current school year.
February 7th, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
You can find more information and register here.
Virtual PECS Level 1 Trainings
Individuals who are nonverbal or have limited speech need a communication system they can start using right now. PECS provides an immediately useful method for requesting things, actions, and people, in a way that requires and promotes social interaction. Using the principles of applied behavior analysis, PECS starts by teaching spontaneous requesting and as quickly as possible, moves on to responding to questions as well as commenting about things in the environment.
Things to Know:
These trainings are only available to public school staff who are taking PECS Level 1 training for the first time.
You must complete both days of the training. You must have release time to attend the training. When you register, we will ask for the contact information of your supervisor to verify that you have been released from all other job duties to participate in this training.
PECS Level 1 Trainings:
January 25-26 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 MST
February 12-13 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 MST
Register here.
ADOS-2 Refresher
Virtual Training – Friday, February 9th. 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This is a one-day review of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale complete with scoring practice and practical question review. This training is available only for Montana public school educators who have previously completed a two-day ADOS administration training.
You can register here.
Trainings from Dr. Jennifer Schoffer Closson
Two OPI renewal units will be available for each 90-minute training.
Behavior for ASD: Communication Barriers
February 16th / April 26th / June 18th
This training will look at how to specifically apply evidence-based interventions for Level I, II, and III learners when they are using interfering behavior as a form of communication.
Register here.
Behavior for ASD: Relationship Barriers
February 2nd / April 12th / June 18th
This talk will look at how to specifically apply evidence-based intervention for learners of differing abilities when they are not building relationships with educators and peers.
Register here.
Brain Differences for ASD: What It Means for Behavior
January 4th / March 8th / June 17th
People with ASD experience brain differences. Understanding these differences can help us understand the behavior and learning of people on the spectrum. Understanding the learners’ differences can enhance our ability to teach them.
Register here.
Executive Functioning: It Presents as Interfering Behavior
January 5th / March 15th / June 17th
Sometimes kids look like they just DON’T WANT TO…. Executive functioning challenges often come out as interfering behavior. Learn about what we can expect at each age, how we can treat executive functioning challenges, and what some IEP goals can look like.
Register here.
Stop Behavior Before It Starts: Part 1 - Understanding Behavior
January 2nd / February 23rd / June 17th
This presentation looks at what motivates behavior, how to identify those motivators, how to identify the reinforcing consequences, the crisis cycle, extinction bursts, and everything that just makes behavior confusing.
Register here.
Stop Behavior Before It Starts: Part 2 - Getting Ahead of the Behavior
January 3rd / March 1st / June 17th
After taking part 1, this presentation looks at how you can use evidence-based practices to get ahead of the behavior (antecedent intervention). This strategy can likely reduce the occurrence of interfering behavior.
Register here.
Behavior for ASD: Refusal Barriers
January 5th / March 22nd / June 18th
This talk will look at how to specifically apply evidence-based intervention for learners of differing abilities when they refuse or escape tasks.
Register here.
Behavior for ASD: Sensory Barriers
January 26th / March 29th / June 18th
This talk will look at how to specifically apply evidence-based intervention for learners of differing abilities when their sensory needs are creating barriers to learning.
Register here.
New Assistive Technology Trainings from MonTECH
We are excited to have MonTECH bring us a three-part series on assistive technology. This series will be repeated again in the spring.
How to do an Assistive Technology Assessment
(This will be repeated in the spring of 2024.)
Not sure how to choose Assistive Technology (AT) for your students? Never done an AT assessment before? This workshop will present best practices for assessing a student’s need for AT. We’ll discuss resources including the OPI Special Education Guide to Assistive Technology. We will also look at available assessment tools and how you can use them in your school. We will answer frequently asked questions about AT assessment and any other questions you may have.
Implementing the Use of Assistive Technology in Schools
January 10, 2024
After completing an assistive technology (AT) assessment, what’s next? In this workshop, we will discuss the steps for supporting successful adoption of AT for your students. We’ll explore the OPI Special Education Guide to Assistive Technology and how it can assist you in the AT implementation process.
Register here.
How to Get Funding for Assistive Technology
March 6, 2023
You’ve completed your assessment and found a need for an assistive technology (AT) device- what do you do now? In this workshop, we’ll discuss who is responsible for providing AT and available resources for acquiring and funding devices for use at school and in the community.
Register here.
OCALI Introduction to Autism Characteristics plus Foundations of Evidence-Based Strategies by Age
An Introduction to Autism Characteristics and Simple Strategies from OCALI.
This introductory module presents information about the unique characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including social communication, restricted interests and patterns of behavior, sensory, cognition and information processing, and emotional regulation. Five simple strategies are introduced that may be used anytime, anywhere with young children, students, and adults with ASD. (Note that this course is a pre-requisite to take the longer courses.)
Learning Objectives:
- Provide an understanding of the spectrum of skills that characterize autism spectrum disorder, or ASD.
- Dispel common misconceptions about ASD.
- Provide simple strategies that may be helpful for individuals with ASD.
Estimated Time to Complete Module: 90 minutes
Foundations of Evidence-Based Strategies - Toddler and Preschool Age
Early childhood is an important time to help young children with ASD to develop critical language and learning skills. With video examples in homes and preschool classrooms, this course will introduce you to evidence-based strategies that can be used in natural environments during typical routines and activities of toddlers and preschoolers. This course takes approximately 10.5 hours to complete. Prerequisite: Many Faces of Autism
Foundations of Evidence-Based Strategies - School Age
During the elementary and middle school years, school-aged individuals with ASD are developing skills in many areas that will impact their futures. This course presents evidence-based strategies in action in the home, school, and community environments. This course takes approximately 10.5 hours to complete. Prerequisite: Many Faces of Autism
Foundations of Evidence-Based Strategies - Transition Age
Adolescents and young adults with ASD need many critical skills as they prepare for transitioning from high school into their own, unique adult lives. This course will show you how to use evidence-based strategies to support individuals who are transition-aged and young adults through video examples at home, school, work, and in the community. This course takes approximately 10.5 hours to complete. Prerequisite: Many Faces of Autism
You can find more information and register for the OCALI training here.
If you wish to receive OPI renewal units for completing the above trainings, you must register here. We will then tell you what information from OCALI training needs to be provided when you have completed a course to receive your OPI renewal units.
Upcoming Trainings: You can always find our trainings on the Montana Autism Education Project blog at: http://mtautism.opiconnect.org. We will be adding virtual and in-person trainings to the blog as we schedule trainings throughout the school year.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility for training from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project, contact Doug Doty at ddoty@mt.gov
For more information, contact:
Doug Doty, Statewide Coordinator, OPI Montana Autism Education Project
Direct replies to this email will not be forwarded or received by Doug.
If you know others who wish to subscribe to this newsletter, they can do so on the subscription page.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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