7 February 2022, 11 a.m., Family Autism Support Webinar

October 18, 2021
Title: When Behaviors Occur at School
Presenter: Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University

Overview: In this session, families will learn about the functional behavioral assessment process, including what it is and when it should be done. The process will be described, including how it relates to IEP goals and behavior support plans.

November 15, 2021
Title: Transition from School: When the Bus Stops Coming – A Parent Perspective from a 2020 Transition
Presenter: Michele Trivedi, MHA
Manager, The Insurance Advocacy Resource Center, The Arc of Indiana

Overview: Michele Trivedi is the parent of a 24-year-old on the spectrum who transitioned from school during the 2020 pandemic shut down. Michele will discuss lessons learned, options after high school and what she wished she knew before and during transition. Michele is also a contractor with The Arc of Indiana’s Advocacy Network and a longtime advocate for health insurance coverage for autism treatment.

December 13, 2021
Title: Preventing Challenging Behavior at Home
Presenter: Mandy Rispoli, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Professor of Special Education, Purdue University

Overview: In this session we’ll talk about strategies families can use at home to prevent and reduce problem behavior. our focus will be on incorporating these strategies into home routines.

January 10, 2022
Title: Using Improv to Teach Social Skills: How ‘Yes And’ Can Help Your Kids Learn to Connect
Presenters: Jim Ansaldo, Ph.D., Research Scholar, Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University
and
Kathy Klingerman, Ed.S., BCaBA, School Autism Consultant
Serving West Lafayette Community, Lafayette, and Tippecanoe School District

Overview: Using improv is a powerful way to help children learn social skills through games and laughter. We will share with you the benefits of using improv and give you practical and fun ways to incorporate it within your family life.

February 7, 2022
Title: Transition: Preparation for a Lifetime – Part I
Presenter: Teresa Grossi, Ph.D., Director of Strategic Development
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University

Overview: Dr. Grossi has worked in the area of transition and employment throughout her professional career. In this two-part session, she will discuss the importance of and components of transition planning. It’s never too early to start planning however, family members of children 14 and above should plan to attend.

March 7, 2022
Title: Transition: Preparation for a Lifetime – Part II
Presenter: Teresa Grossi, Ph.D., Director of Strategic Development
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University

Overview: Dr. Grossi has worked in the area of transition and employment throughout her professional career. In this two-part session, she will discuss the importance of and components of transition planning. It’s never too early to start planning however, family members of children 14 and above should plan to attend.

April 18, 2022
Title: What’s the Function? How Maladaptive Behavior Communicates Needs and Desires
Presenter: Karly Keiper, M.A. Ed., Educational Specialist, West Central Indiana Special Services Cooperative

Overview: All behaviors serve to communicate; functions help us to determine what they are trying to communicate. In this webinar, Karly will break down the main functions of maladaptive/problem behavior and how we can use those functions to develop appropriate replacement behaviors to meet our children’s needs and desires.