Understanding Autism

This presentation will provide foundational knowledge for human service professionals, educators, and caregivers who support autistic children. Participants will begin by learning the symptoms of autism and identifying how to assist families in accessing diagnostic and therapeutic services. Discussion will address best practices to help children develop communication skills and as well as interventions to decrease challenging behaviors, with special attention to trauma-informed care.

Learning Objectives:

1: Participants will identify diagnostic criteria for autism and identify symptoms commonly observed in early childhood.

2: Participants will identify multiple strategies to support the development of communication skills in autistic children.

3: Participants will describe methods of teaching replacement behaviors to decrease challenging behaviors.

Bio

Lindsay Hardgrave Massena is a board-certified behavior analyst and licensed independent social worker at Hills & Dales, where she works with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. She has fifteen years of experience providing trauma-informed behavioral health services to children and families in home, school, and hospital-based settings. She is passionate about partnering with caregivers and service providers to improve individualized supports for children with disabilities to promote inclusion in a variety of environments.

Professionals who believe that this programming meets the requirements of their professional licensure board may present their certificate to their professional board. All those attending in full will receive a certificate of attendance and agenda for the day that includes the course title, trainer names, date, location, and number of hours. It is the responsibility of the individual attending to be familiar with the CEU requirements of their professional licensing board. Licensees should retain course materials and certificates for four years for auditing purposes.

If this professional learning opportunity is cost prohibitive, reach out to Caelan Sauberan at staff@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org for potential scholarship opportunities.

For any additional questions contact Caelan Sauberan at staff@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org