Parent Skill Building Workshops

The Centre for Autism Services Alberta recognizes parents’ vital role in a child’s success. Parent involvement is key to helping your child with autism achieve his/her maximum potential. The Centre runs a series of workshops to help parents who have a child with autism. Workshop dates and times are listed below. Space is limited and priority is given to parents of children receiving Specialized Services at the Centre.

Autism: Facts, Myths, and Best Practices

Participants will review the diagnostic criteria and associated features of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This workshop includes interactive opportunities designed to enhance understanding of some of the experiences of those on the spectrum. Basic suggestions for more effective interactions are offered. A brief review of the research on a variety of treatment options and best practices for working with those with a diagnosis of autism is also included.
 

Positive Parenting and Behaviours that Challenge

Problematic and challenging behaviours are discussed in the context of opportunities for learning and skill building. Discussion will include possible causes and functions of behaviour. Participants will be offered a range of strategies designed to assist in the management of challenging behaviours with particular emphasis on prevention and de-escalation.

Making and Using Visual Supports and Social Stories

Learn how visual supports can facilitate learning and communication and how to choose and implement strategies which might be most effective for your child/ren. After this workshop you will have an understanding of social stories and how they may be used. You’ll have an opportunity to view a variety of visual supports and social stories. Then you will construct a visual support or social story from materials provided, with on-site consultation from a trainer.

Occupational Therapy: Practical Skills in Task Analysis

Parents will be offered practical skills in Task Analysis, which is a core approach in occupational therapy. The Task Analysis process can be applied to all areas of a child’s daily activities. Breaking tasks into small steps makes the teaching and learning process more manageable and promotes greater success for a child. Parents will have an opportunity to learn the process of breaking tasks down into components and practice breaking down a specific task that is challenging for their child.

Working Language into Play and Daily Routines!

Join us to learn about How and Why your child communicates and how you can help your child communicate more! Parents will learn basic strategies to stimulate language development; fun and easy ways to encourage language opportunities during daily routines and play and tips to help your child develop interest in play and early social interactions with peers. These skills will help build your confidence as a parent in supporting your child’s language development and readiness for future success in the social world.

 * Please Note: A subsidy may be available based on need 

All workshops are held at the Centre for Autism Services Alberta, located at 4752-99 St.

To register or for more information, please contact: Rachel: 780-488-6600, ext 250 or rewilliams@centreforautism.ab.ca

School Workshops

The Centre for Autism Services Alberta is offering educational workshops that are designed to help teachers, principals and educational assistants who assist children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The fee is $199 per person or $99 per person if a child at the school receives services from the Centre. The following three topics will be covered in each full-day session:
Autism: Facts, Myths, and Best Practices
Participants will review the diagnostic criteria and associated features of Autism Spectrum Disorder in this workshop. Interactive opportunities designed to enhance understanding of some of the experiences of those on the spectrum are provided. Basic suggestions for more effective interactions will be presented. A brief review of the research on a variety of treatment options and best practices for working with those with a diagnosis of autism is included.
Behaviours that Challenge
In this workshop, problematic and challenging behaviours are discussed in the context of opportunities for learning and skill building. Discussions include possible causes and functions of behaviour. Participants are offered a range of strategies designed to assist in the management of challenging behaviours with particular emphasis on prevention and de-escalation.
Making and Using Visual Supports and Social Stories
Participants will understand how visual supports can facilitate learning and communication. Participants will have a basic understanding of how to choose and implement strategies which might be most effective for children with autism. Participants will have a basic understanding of social stories, how they may be used and will be able to view a variety of visual supports and social stories. Participants will have the opportunity to construct a visual support or social story from materials provided, with on-site consultation from a trainer.

Three dates to choose from: Oct. 17, Feb. 7 or May 9
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Lunch is provided.)
Location: Centre for Autism Services Alberta, 4752-99 St., Edmonton

For more information or to register, please contact: Rachel: 780-488-6600, ext 250 or rewilliams@centreforautism.ab.ca
 

Staff Orientation

Aide P.D. Days

Aide Professional Development days and general staff meetings are offered three times per year. Topics vary over the course of the year. If you have a suggestion for a PD topic please let us know. Aide Workshops
 

Introduction

This training module is designed to provide aides an introduction to the organization and the services provided. An introduction to the Centre is provided along with aide administration, a parent perspective of raising a child with autism and a general overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The complexities involved in working within families’ homes and maintaining professional boundaries are also explored.

Session Length: 5.5 hours

Natural Teaching Strategies

This training module is designed to teach aides how to interact with the children they are working with and to identify opportunities within the child’s typical routines to further develop communication, self-help, cognitive, and play skills. Aides will also learn to select the most effective teaching techniques for any given situation. Data collection procedures and rational will also be reviewed. An overview of the topics to be covered is as follows:

• Following the Child’s Lead: Turn Taking Through Imitation
• Keeping the Action Going
• Expansion: Adding Something More
• Incidental Teaching

Session Length: 3 hours

Developing Positive Behaviors in Children

This training module is designed to teach aides how to interact with the children they are working with to increase the likelihood of developing positive behaviors. An overview of the topics to be covered is as follows:

• ABC Model of Behavior
• Behavior as Communication
• Functions of Behavior
• Teaching Alternative Behaviors
• Documentation/Data Collection

Session Length: 3 hours

Centre-Based, Activity-Based, and Community-Based Programming

This training module is designed to teach aides alternative program formats to further enhance generalization once discrete trial is no longer the primary teaching method. An overview of the topics to be covered is as follows:

Program Format Overview:

• Center-Based Programming
• Activity-Based Programming
• Working with Themes
• Fieldtrips
• Play-dates

Session Length: 3 hours

Ethics of Touch

Based on the video “Ethics of Touch” by Mary Harber and Dave Hingsburger, this training module is designed to explore with aides the complexities involved in establishing clear boundaries and respecting the personal space with those children with whom they work.

Video and large group discussions constitute the format of this session.

Session Length: 3 hours

Occupational Therapy

This training module is designed to describe for aides the role of occupational therapy in working with children with autism spectrum disorder and the various areas occupational therapists address. General information around typical development, self-care, seating and positioning, and sensory processing is provided along with practical suggestions for working with children with autism.

Session Length: 1.5 hours

Communication

This training module is designed to describe for aides the role of speech-language therapists in working with children with autism spectrum disorder. An overview of speech and language is provided along with alternative modes of communication. Practical suggestions for engaging children with autism are also provided.

Session Length: 1.5 hours

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Based on the training created by the Crisis Prevention Institute, this training module is designed to teach aides how to work through challenging situations while providing for the care, welfare, safety, and security for all involved. Proactive strategies and verbal de-escalation techniques are highlighted and discussed. Personal safety techniques and control positions are also reviewed to ensure safe and appropriate usage. Training module provided for Centre for Autism Services Alberta families and employees only.

Session Length: Full course 12 hours, Refresher 5 hours