WHEN
Wednesday April 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM EDT-to-
Wednesday April 25, 2012 at 2:00 PM EDT
Add to my calendar
WHERE
COST *
One webinar: $40
Two webinars: $65
Three webinars: $85
Four webinars: $100
CONTACT
Carla BenwayYouth Advocate Programs, Inc.
cbenway@yapinc.org
717-364-1291
Pat Amos
Pat Amos, M.A., has been an advocate for people with disabilities and their families for over 25 years. She is a founder of Autism Support and Advocacy in Pennsylvania (ASAP) and the Family Alliance to Stop Abuse and Neglect, past president of the Greater Philadelphia Autism Society, a founder and past president of the Autism National Committee, a founder of the Coalition of Inclusion Advocates (CIA), a former member of the Executive Committee of Pennsylvania’s Developmental Disabilities Council, and recently completed two terms as a Board member of TASH (where she remains serving in an ex oficio capacity). Her involvement in the movement to prevent restraint and seclusion is longstanding, and she has worked with the national Alliance for the Prevention of Restraint, Aversive Interventions, and Seclusion (APRAIS) since participating in its founding in 2004. She currently works as an Inclusion Specialist with the Youth Advocate Program’s Autism Institute, where she trains direct service staff and also offers trainings to community members. Pat draws on her graduate work in anthropology and the study of narrative to bring new insights to her consulting and writing, which focus on quality of life and the impact of culture in shaping and interpreting disability. Her best teachers have been her four children, three of whom experience significant sensorimotor differences and all of whom are enjoying rewarding lives.
Moya Kinnealey
Moya Kinnealey Ph.D., OTR/L is an occupational therapist, researcher and expert on sensory and motor issues of people of all ages. She has presented nationally and internationally on this topic and published articles on its impact on quality of life. Her clinical work has been with children, youth and adults with disabilities. She illuminates the sensory and motor differences of adults with autistic spectrum disorder in order to minimize potential obstacles to achieving their goals. Her perspective was developed through extensive interviews with youth and adults with autism in order to more deeply understand and apply her knowledge to the autistic experience.
Nick Pentzell
An honor student at Delaware County Community College, Nick Pentzell is a "diffability" advocate who has presented at conferences for organizations such as YAP, the Society for Disability Studies, and the Autism National Committee (AutCom). His work has been published in several books about autism and facilitated communication, as well as in journals; two online articles can be accessed at <http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLSpring2010.pdf> and <http://www.dsq-sds.org/article/view/1054/1241>. Nick's award-winning documentary "Outside/Inside" has been shown at disability film festivals worldwide.
Relationships Matter: Living Well with Autism
ALL BEHAVIOR IS COMMUNICATION
Michelle Heim, MS
YAP Autism Trainer & Clinician
April 4, 2012 @ 12:00pm EST
"All Behavior is Communication" will lead the participants through a discussion of what constitutes communication and how people are already communicating. This training will teach participants to discover the many ways individuals on the spectrum are trying to tell us things the best way they know who - through their behaviors. While examining stereotypes and myths of autism, the participants will learn how to build upon skills people already have and how to strengthen their own understanding in order to better support those without a voice or with limited communication.
Objectives:
1) Background basics of communication
2) Effective listening
3) Strategies to better understand others and aid them in their communication
AUTISM & ANXIETY: FROM STRESS TO SUCCESS
Pat Amos, MA
Consultant, Parent-Advocate
April 11, 2012 @ 12:00pm EST
Parents and professionals have long been aware that most individuals on the autism spectrum experience a high degree of daily, chronic anxiety. This anxiety may manifest itself in activities that are mistaken for “behaviors” or “traits” of autism, leading to unproductive responses that may only serve to intensify the problem. Anxiety is closely associated with sensorimotor challenges and sensitivities, and many of the most productive approaches to its alleviation rely on an understanding of the neurological basis of these experiences. Anxiety is also associated with various mental health challenges frequently found among people with autism, such as obsessions and compulsions, and when unrecognized or improperly treated it can lead to depression. The identification and alleviation of anxiety can provide a gateway to the prevention or reduction of these closely related conditions. While some people respond well to medication and medical management, the mental health community emphasizes the importance of fostering the habits and attitudes of personal awareness and emotional resilience as sustainable approaches to coping with anxiety. People with autism, as well as their families, teachers, and supporters, can benefit greatly from exploring and adapting positive mental health strategies that can be implemented in typical everyday settings.
Objectives:
1) Identify the signs and symptoms of anxiety, and explore the experience of anxiety in their own lives and through the words of self-advocates with autism
2) Understand the “brain basis” of anxiety, and its connection with the sensory and motor challenges associated with the autism spectrum
3) Recognize the environmental factors that can trigger and exacerbate anxiety, and consider practical strategies to reduce their impact
4) Consider a wide range of supports and strategies that can help people on the spectrum become more self-aware and resilient in the face of anxiety
5) Explore socially valued activities that respect and use the positive aspects of vigilant behavior to achieve desired goals.
LIGHT HURT MY EARS AND HUGGING IS SCARY:
UNDERSTANDING AND DEALING WITH SENSORY-MOTOR BASED "AUTISTIC BEHAVIORS"
Moya Kinnealey, PhD OTR/L
Consultant, former Chair of the Department of Rehablitative Svcs at Temple University
April 18, 2012 @ 12:00pm EST
Most people with autism have extreme sensory sensitivities that can be painful and anxiety producing. People with autism may also have a range of motor inefficiencies or movement patterns that interfere with accomplishing routine daily activities. Motor in-coordination may interfere with communicating through gesture or speech. Understanding the sensory and motor foundation underlying what is commonly referred to as behaviors can frame effective approaches and insight for self regulation and performance.
Objectives:
1) Be able to describe sensory sensitivities and sensory discomfort and its impact on social behavior.
2) Be able to problem solve strategies to improve sensory comfort for adults with autism.
3) Be able to recognize and articulate obstacles to physical performance of some people with autism that are frequently regarded as behavioral.
4) Be able to problem solve environmental adaptations and supportive interaction to enable intended responses of adults with autism.
CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY:
SUPPORTING MEANINGFUL LIVES
Nick Pentzell
College Student, Self-Advocate
with Moya Kinnealey, PhD OTR/L
Consultant, former Chair of the Department of Rehablitative Svcs at Temple University
April 25, 2012 @ 12:00pm EST
The need for human connectedness is important for health, growth, development of identity, establishing a social role. This webinar, co-developed and presented by an autism self advocate and an occupational therapist, will provide examples of people with autism who are participating and contributing to their social community and living meaningful lives. The essential elements of this process and how to create successful community experiences will be clarified using real life examples.
Objectives:
1) Give examples of adults with autism living meaningful and productive lives in the community.
2) Identify essential elements underpinning community living.
3) Identify 4 factors to address when preparing for successful community experiences.
4) Be able to plan collaborations with the person with autism to minimize obstacles to attaining his/her goals.
