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Upcoming Trainings from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project
NEW - AAC Trainings from Julie Doerner
The link to register for each of the trainings is on our blog.
How to Stop the Escape – 90 minutes
Do you have a student using an iPad/tablet who is constantly escaping your planned AAC activities? Regain control with these strategies! This training will show both technical and non-technical ways to lock the student’s device into AAC communication mode and stay there.
The Story of Clever Hans – 90 minutes
How do you know that your student is using the iPad in a way that is meaningful? This training is about how we, as professionals, must prove to ourselves that the student is learning. How convinced are you that your therapy is working?
Spontaneous Usage and Clinician Patience – 90 minutes
“To be successful, any new communication system must work better than the student’s current communication methods.” This training will address how to get a student to use their device spontaneously, without direct cueing or prompting from staff. This session will also include how to train staff to increase the student’s independent use of a communication system.
Structured Opportunities – 90 minutes
How do you create opportunities that will require the student to use their AAC device for communication? This training will address how to use daily schedules, activities, and IEP goals to identify opportunities for communication and collect data on usage.
AAC and Culture – 90 minutes
In a world filled with so many overlapping cultures, how do we parse out AAC culture? What are the most consistent considerations? In this session, we will discuss those considerations and learn how to adhere to them in the midst of the diversity of user’s life.
AAC Evaluation Considerations – 90 minutes
What skills do we assess during an “AAC Evaluation?” And what are the best methods to do so? AAC evaluations can be a daunting task. In this session, you will learn or review AAC evaluation protocols and additional strategies. We will also talk about how to discuss evaluation results so that team members can feel compelled to get the student’s program started.
Julie Doerner is a nationally certified and state-licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Julie currently works for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Tribal Health Services of the Flathead Reservation. She serves all ages of patients across the Reservation but works primarily with Native American children attending Head Start preschool centers. Julie has worked in public schools, private practice, and in the rehab setting, and most recently worked at the University of Montana. At UM, Julie worked for the state assistive technology (AT) program, MonTECH, and the School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences.
Other upcoming trainings:
Language of Emotions (virtual training)
April 15th, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In this workshop, we will review traditional approaches to teaching children with autism to communicate about their emotions as well as respond to such language from other people. Participants will be asked to consider how they currently teach various lessons related to emotions and then plan to incorporate Skinner’s analysis into the design of effective lessons. We will suggest teaching strategies that may lead to the successful acquisition of these complex language skills.
Register here.
Building Functional and Creative Learning Systems - Kalispell
June 10/11, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Kalispell
This practical, interactive workshop provides a blueprint for building effective learning environments, resulting in direct positive outcomes for learners.
Register here.
iPad Boot Camp - Missoula
June 13/14 Missoula
The amazing Therese Willkomm is back for this training on what is new in the world of awesome apps, adaptations, and accessories. This has consistently been one of our highest-rated trainings.
You can find out more about the training and register here.
Refresh Your PECS (virtual training)
June 20th, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This is a condensed Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS)® training refresher for participants who have previously attended a PECS Level 1 Training.
Register here.
Teaching Critical Communication Skills - Missoula
June 12th, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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. 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).
Register here.
The Teachers Guide to Organizing and Maintaining Your Classroom (virtual training)
June 21st, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This dynamic presentation provides educators with many practical ideas and examples for creating an effective classroom for students with autism and/or other developmental disabilities. We help you identify ways to increase student communication throughout the day and show you how common individual goals can be incorporated into various lessons and activities. We also share ideas for setting up your classroom, including organizing materials for activities, incorporating reinforcement systems, and streamlining data collection as well as providing tips for student and staff routines and schedules.
Register here.
Trainings from Dr. Jennifer Schoffer Closson
Two OPI renewal units will be available for each 90-minute virtual training.
Girls with Autism
June 10th
Girls with autism present differently and experience unique challenges. Learn about girls with autism and what their support can look like.
Register here.
Behavior for ASD: Communication Barriers
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
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
June 10th / 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
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
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
June 10th / June 17th
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
June 10th / 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
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.
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.
Implementing the Use of Assistive Technology in Schools
April 25th, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
After completing an assistive technology (AT) assessment, what’s next? In this workshop, we will discuss the steps for supporting the 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
May 30th, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
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 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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