Autism Conference: Preparing for Life: Managing Overwhelming Emotions and Teaching Key Life Skills

Please join the Family Resource Network for a full day Autism Conference:
Preparing for Life: Managing Overwhelming Emotions and Teaching Key Life Skills

Friday, December 16, 2022
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
Online

Individuals with social-behavioral challenges and/or ASD often present with difficulty regulating their feelings and interacting socially. The first part of this workshop outlines predictors of better outcome and how to maximize motivation and engagement of students.  The second part discusses the pitfalls of a traditional escalating disciplinary model and the need to understand why students are having behavioral challenges. The focus is on both soothing moments of dysregulation, de-escalating meltdowns, and problem solving repeat problems. This problem solving involves identifying triggers to overwhelming frustration and anxiety, and designing effective behavior plans for each of those triggers. The third part of the presentation details strategies to teach social skills, how to generalize skills into the natural setting and increase acceptance and tolerance from peers. Information will be imparted though lecture, interactive exercises, and video clips.

Our Presenter: Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, an organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems.  He writes, lectures, and provides training internationally on the topic of social skills training and managing challenging behaviors.  He is an award winning author of 8 books, including Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome and Social Communication Problems; Preparing for Life: The Complete Handbook for the Transition to Adulthood for Those with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome; The Social Skills Picture Book; The Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond; No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-of-Control Behavior; No More Victims: Protecting those with Autism from Cyber Bullying, Internet Predators & Scams; Overcoming Anxiety in Children and Teens; and School Shadow Guidelines. His work has also been featured on ABC World News, Nightline, the CBS Early Show, and the Discovery Health Channel.

Conference Outline:

Predictors of successful outcomes in those with special needs:

• Building self-awareness
• Promoting motivation and active engagement
• Collaborative problem solving

Understanding of challenging behaviors precedes effective intervention:

• Fear as the most common feeling behind oppositional/defiant behaviors in individuals with ASD, ADHD, Bipolar and multiple learning disabilities
• How caregivers can first manage their own anxiety before dealing with their kid’s behaviors
• Developing the right attitude to address challenging behaviors: Research on hope and attributional style of teachers and parents

Managing and preventing challenging behaviors:

• Crisis management: De-escalating meltdowns though distraction/ soothing
• Identifying the 7 common triggers to frustration and anxiety
• Creating prevention plans for each of the 7 common triggers
• Anxiety management

Why most social skills programs fail! Six key Components of Social Skills Training:

• One size does not fit all: Prioritizing relevant skill goals

Registration is Required

To register online please follow the link below. For assistance with registration or for questions, please call Terry at (607)287-3816.

REGISTRATION FORM

This workshop is funded through a grant from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Self-directing families will need to add “Enhanced Autism Training” to their budgets prior to attending. Please contact Robin for assistance adding this to your budget at 607-432-0001.

**Do you miss our in-person events?  If you would like to participate in this online conference with other families, please contact Family Resource Network.  Come watch the conference with us!  Lunch will be provided.**