September

October

 

November

Pivotal Response Treatment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Where: The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center

When: November 18, 2008, Time: 7:30am-4pm (lunch and refreshments provided)

One Day Workshop Sponsored by the VT Autism Clinic and Autism Speaks

See: Brochure (pdf), Flyer (doc)

 

Registration and Fees: Registration must be received by November 11, 2008.

Register Online

or

1. Print out the Registration Form (PDF)

2. Complete Form

3. Mail to: Conference Registrar

                Continuing and Professional Education

                Virginia Tech, Mail Code 0272

                702 University City Blvd.

                Blacksburg, VA 24061

          

Professionals and Faculty: $30

Parent of person with ASD (nonprofessional) and Students: $20

Fees include registration, CE credits (if applicable), certificate of attendance, refreshments, and lunch

Pivotal Response Treatment  (PRT)

PRT is a state-of-the art behavioral treatment for autism, based on over 20 years of research by Bob and Lynn Koegel of the Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara.  PRT uses natural learning opportunities to modify key targets in children, leading to widespread positive effects in language, social interactions, and behavior.

Program Leader

Daniel Openden, Ph.D., is the former Head of Community Training for the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and currently the Clinical Services Director at Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.  He received his doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Special Education, Disability, and Risk Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  Dr. Openden has worked extensively with families with children with autism on both federal and state funded research projects; provided consulting and training for school districts across the country; presented research at regional, state, and national conventions; and published in professional journals in the field.

Who Should Attend

Attendance is limited to 100 participants.  All educators, special education directors, teachers,

psychologists, counselors, clinicians, service providers, speech/language pathologists, instructional aides, social workers, mental health providers, researchers, students, and parents with an interest in evidence-based intervention for autism. Continuing education credit will be available for psychologists.

 

Ongoing

Adult Asperger Support Group

WHO:   Adults of all ages on the high functioning end of the Autism spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome; persons who would like support for strengthening communication and relationship skills.  This group is for persons single or in relationships, age 18 and older, including college age, or employed, or under-employed due in part to spectrum issues.

WHAT:   Monthly support group meetings in public meeting space with loosely structured agenda, discussing topics of interest to participants (i.e.: conflict resolution, anxiety, stimming, Conversation 101, work & jobs, dating, self-advocacy, etc.)

WHEN:  Groups meet monthly in early evening for 1.5-2 hours.

WHERE:   Salem Public Library, 28 E. Main St., Salem, VA.  Future times and places will be decided by group members.

COST:   THERE IS NO COST

Light refreshments will be available.

LEADERS:   Group leadership will eventually be developed by group members.  Facilitation and support will be provided by Alan Beach, PhD, LCSW, LMFT.  Please consider volunteering to be a co-leader!

For information or to sign up, contact:  Alan Beach

(540) 387-3955/3977

Fax 387-3988;

email:   aebeach2@yahoo.com

 

 

Blacksburg Autism Parent Support Group

Parents of children preschool through elementary age are invited to join us in a supportive, caring and confidential environment.  We'd love for you to join us!

Please contact Susan English at englisue@yahoo.com or 540-808-3987 for more information.

Camp Connect

When: Summer

Where: Roanoke, VA

For: High functioning middle and high school students with Asperger Syndrome

Who: Two local speech therapists are hosting it

Website: website is www.campconnectVa.com

The Pediatric Psychology Research Group at Virginia Tech is currently looking for participants for a research study involving language acquisition interventions in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Participation in this study would involve 3 sessions per week of ABA-based interventions
designed to increase language acquisition skills and joint attention. The intervention to be used is empirically-supported and research has shown that it has a positive impact on skills in a number of areas, including language development, joint attention, and other socially relevant behaviors. In
addition, 50% of the participants' parents will also receive a parent training component.

Potential participants must meet the following criteria:
-Ages between 2 and 4 years
-Must have some level of ASD
-Must have some level of deficits in language and joint attention skills (These deficits will be assessed prior to the study)

If you are interested in this study, or would like further information, please
call Brian Cowart at (540) 558-8606.

 

Richmond House

We currently have one opening in our residential program for adults with autism. We would love to hear from anyone interested in our residential program.  Families are also welcome to contact us or make an appointment with us at any time.

Richmond House is seeking program participants as well as volunteers, paid counselors, and college or grad students interested in developing and managing programs for adults and teens with autism. If you have any questions, we would greatly appreciate talking with you at your convenience.  For more information visit www.richmondhouse.org, call Jane Smith at 804-288-3122 or email at richmondhouse@comcast.net.

Social Skills Training Groups

WHO: Students with Asperger syndrome, high functioning Autism, or other social interaction and communication difficulties; ages may include elementary grades through late teens.

WHAT:  Weekly groups for teaching and practicing how to initiate and respond to social interaction, visual and auditory cues, eye contact, voice tone/volume, making and keeping friends, etc.  Younger
students utilize a structured play therapy format to develop interactive social play skills.  Older students use conversation, organized activities, games, and role play to develop conversation skills, problem solving, and stress management.  Teens use discussion, games, and role play to develop self-advocacy skills.  Average group size is 4-5 members.

WHERE:  811 S. College Ave., Salem Virginia 24153

COST:  Groups are billed as an educational service at $40 per session.  Parents/school systems pay in advance for 4-5 sessions at a time.

For information or applications, call (540) 387-3955/3977; Fax 387-3988; or email Officemanager@Pratola.com

 

Special Olympics Virginia

Refer to the brochure for more information.

 

Virginia Pivotal Response Treatment Workshop

TBA

Autism, Pivotal Response Treatment, and Functional Assessment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (open to parents and professionals) DANIEL OPENDEN, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech University

contact  Angela Scarpa at ascarpa@vt.edu.