Strategies to Build Independence for Students with Autism, ADHD and other Learning Differences 

Please join us for a day of exciting presentations. In the morning, Dana Reinecke PhD, BCBA-D, will present “10 Things to Know Before You Leave Home," and in the afternoon, NYS Licensed Psychologist Gina Cosgrove, Psy.D. will present "Executive Functioning Strategies for Student with ADHD and Related Learning Challenges."

Registration
8:30 am - 9:00 am

Welcome and Introduction
9:00 am - 9:30 am

“10 Things to Know Before You Leave Home”
Dana Reinecke PhD, BCBA-D
9:30 am - 12:00 pm 

This presentation will focus on strategies for building independence for young adults with disabilities.  Conventional wisdom holds that new skills should be learned at least five years before they are needed, so this presentation will be relevant for parents and teachers of younger children, as well as caregivers, support staff, and individuals with disabilities in adolescence and adulthood. Basic techniques from applied behavior analysis for teaching new skills will be discussed, with specific applications to 10 necessary skills for independence. Once skills are learned, additional supports may be needed for maintenance to achieve true independence. Generalization and maintenance strategies will be discussed, with an emphasis on self-management for lifelong autonomy.

Lunch and Guided Tours of Transitions
(included)
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

"Executive Functioning Strategies for Students with ADHD and Related Learning Challenges"
Gina Cosgrove,  Psy.D., NYS Licensed Psychologist
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Students with Executive Functioning Strategies can demonstrate challenges across home and school settings. Attentional difficulties, organizational deficits and self-regulation needs are often evident. While these deficits are most pronounced in students with ADHD, other related developmental disabilities can share this profile of need. The presentation will cover the basics of how to evaluate a student’s Executive Functioning needs (checklists, testing, observations) and then review research-based strategies to assist with planning interventions and implementing them across settings.
 

Guided Tours are available after the workshop, as well.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Dana Reinecke is a doctoral level board certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D) and a New York State licensed behavior analyst (LBA). Dana provides training and consultation to school districts, private schools, agencies and families of individuals with disabilities. She has provided consultation and training throughout New York as well as in Mexico, Australia and Northern Ireland. She has presented original research and workshops on the treatment of autism and applications of ABA at regional, national and international conferences. She has published her research in peer-reviewed journals, written chapters in published books, and co-edited books on ABA and autism. Dana recently served as an assistant professor and the department chair for the Center for Applied Behavior Analysis at The Sage Colleges. As of September 2015, she will be an assistant professor in the CASE program (Concentration in Autism and Special Education) at Long Island University. She has served as a representative-at-large (2010-2012) and secretary (2012-2014) and is currently serving as president-elect (2015-2016) and conference co-chair for the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis.

 Dr. Gina Cosgrove received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Child Development from the University of Maine and her Doctorate from the University at Albany. She specializes in conducting evaluations for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and is a Consultant for local school districts. Dr. Cosgrove conducts trainings for educators and families regarding how to meet the educational and social needs of individuals on the Autism Spectrum. She teaches a graduate course in Development at the University at Albany.