DPI Statewide Autism Trainings in 12-13

Training

Children with the impairment of autism frequently present unique challenges to teachers and support staff responsible for meeting the child's educational needs. Numerous statewide training opportunities are available throughout the year to assist in ongoing staff development designed to improve educational outcomes for children with autism.

The Department of Public Instruction is in the process of developing several free resources and on-line training opportunities for families and educators assisting students with autism. Please visit us in August 2012 for an updated list of free resources/trainings.

2012-13 Statewide Autism Training sponsored by the Department of Public Instruction
The Department of Public Instruction will offer statewide autism training for school personnel during the 2012-13 school year.

Basic level training will provide an introduction to effective educational programming for students with autism.
Basic level training is a great training for general education staff, administrators, paraprofessionals, families, and special education staff that are new or would like a review of working with students with autism.
Advanced level training will focus on addressing challenging behavior; instructional strategies; social skills; and communication for children with autism.

The cost for each two-day training is $185. All trainings are 2 days and include lunch and breaks both days. Breakfast is provided on the second day of training only. Training Schedule: Day 1: 10:30-4:00 and Day 2: 7:30-3:00.

Graduate Credit is available at an additional cost through Silver Lake College. Call 920-686-6157 or email Oudeans@silver.sl.edu for more information.

• September 25 & 26, 2012 - Basic Training (Country Springs in Waukesha)
  
  This is a great training to invite general education teachers, new sped staff, paraprofessionals, and other staff working with students with autism to receive a general overview of autism and autism related teaching strategies. Trainers will also go in depth with specific questions that participants have in relation to addressing challenging behaviors and teaching strategies for children with autism.
  
• October 23 and 24 OR November 6 and 7 (finalizing hotel accommodations), 2012 - Addressing Challenging Behavior (Sheraton, Madison)
  
  Challenging behavior is often the result of a context that is not adequately supported. Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) will be taught along with opportunity given to participants to work in groups to develop support strategies. In addition a model to work with escalating behaviors will be presented. We will explore ways to better provide positive support across the school day. All strategies are non- aversive and take into account all individuals concerned.
  
  
• January 29 & 30, 2013 - Addressing Instructional Strategies (TBD, Green Bay Area)
  
  Participants will be provided with many ideas and strategies to teach students with autism academics and activities of daily living. Using a combination of technology and low tech ideas, participants will have a chance to get their questions asked about "How do I teach him to _______?" Matching student strengths to strategies, Discrete Trial Format, Collaborating with the Student, Teaching a Format and inclusive instruction will be included. Technology as it relates to instructional strategies will be inserted throughout the training.
  
• February 19 & 20, 2013 - Addressing Communication (TBD, Milwaukee area)
  
  This DPI training will address both non verbal and verbal communicators with autism. We will highlight assessment, low and high tech augmentative communication strategies, iPad apps to support communication and socialization, and evidence based communication practices such as Picture Exchange Communication and Verbal Behavior Training. Participants will have a chance to problem solve with the trainers around communication challenges their students with autism encounter, and put together a strategic plan to address them.
  
• March 5 & 6, 2013 - Addressing Social Skills (Chula Vista, Wisconsin Dells)
  
  Students with ASD must often be directly taught social skills. The Social Skills module is covered in a conference format with large group sessions to open and close the two day training and many breakouts on specific social skills topics including Bridging Neurology/Applied Sensitivity, Integrated Play Groups, Hidden Curriculum for Elementary Age, Hidden Curriculum for Adolescents, Circle of Friends/Social Networks, Greenspan/RDI/Play, Social Groups/Relationships/Inclusion and Visual Technology. Something for all ages and abilities!