Felician Autism Collaboration in Teaching
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Presented by: The International Center for Autism and disabilities Research in Education
*Submissions are due by 1/31/23 and notifications about presentation will be made by 2/17/23.
About the Conference
The third bi-annual Felician Autism Collaboration in Teaching (FACT) Conference will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The Felician University International Center for Autism and disabilities Research in Education (I-CAdRE) is dedicated to helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities from infancy through adulthood by promoting meaningful, socially significant gains that will increase participation within their families, schools, and communities. Our vision is to be a leading organization for the advancement of knowledge through conducting innovative neurobehavioral research, offering interprofessional training opportunities, providing comprehensive research-based assessment and intervention services, and forming local and international community partnerships.
Developing highly effective programs for ASD is often a challenge for even the most well-trained professionals. As schools and community organizations strive to provide educational and related services, there is a greater need to offer effective interventions for teaching individuals across the lifespan. This conference will provide practical methods to apply evidence-based strategies while promoting collaboration with parents and community members. This conference is designed for behavior analysts, educators, community-based practitioners, related service providers, pre-service educators/practitioners, and parents of children on the autism spectrum.
- (A) Research to Practice: Bridging the Gap
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Implementing evidence-based practices in applied (home, school, and community) settings is the goal of researchers and practitioners alike. As many know, it is sometimes harder to implement evidence-based practices in these real-world settings. This strand provides the opportunity to share supports and strategies for application across environments with the emphasis on improving learning opportunities for uniquely-abled individuals.
Submissions appropriate to this strand include step-by-step trainings of evidence-based practices, the implementation and results of evidence-based interventions in home, school, or the community, and methodological considerations for applied settings
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- (B) Perspectives on Collaboration
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This strand focuses on the need to build collaborative partnerships between and among school personnel, families, outside service providers, and community resources. Effective collaborations across real-world settings further enhance the teaching and learning opportunities provided to the individuals we support.
Submissions appropriate to this strand include methods for building cooperative relationships, exemplars which have proven successful, and innovative models for building and/or enhancing the collaborative process.
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- (C) Supporting Individuals through the Lifespan
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Coordinating appropriate services for individuals with disabilities is not only necessary for school-aged children but may be even more critical for supporting an individual’s transition into adulthood. Families are in need of resources, community services, and access to professionals who can help build a life of meaningful outcomes for the individuals they support through all of life’s stages.
Submissions appropriate to this strand include identification of services, agencies, and processes to support individuals with disabilities and their families, including, but not limited to, accessing funding sources, identifying available services, supports for life transitions, and teaching families how to target independence and functional living skills.
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Contact: autismcenter@felician.edu
FACT Speakers
Dr. Cirincione-Ulezi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with a Doctorate degree in Education from Loyola University of Chicago. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is a graduate of the Irving B. Harris Infant Mental Health Specialist program at Erikson Institute of Chicago. She is an Illinois licensed special education teacher and an Illinois Early Intervention provider and State evaluator. Professionally, she has served as a special educator, clinician, educational administrator and professor of special education. Her clinical experience spans infancy through adulthood. Currently, she is a Faculty Director for the ABA and Clinical Psychology Programs at Capella University. She is CEO and founder of ULEZI, LLC and co-founder of Inquiry, Inc. In addition to serving as President for the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis. She is an Affiliate Chapters Board Member for Applied Behavior Analysis International and serves as a subject matter expert for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Behavior and Social Issues. and has published in the Journal Behavior Analysis in Practice. She has assisted school districts in the State of Illinois in developing meaningful educational programs to meet the needs of students with autism. Her research interests include supervision, mentoring, leadership and culturally humble practice within the field of ABA. She is a champion for equity, diversity and inclusion and is deeply committed to using her skills and experiences, paired with the science of applied behavior analysis, to empower the lives of the people she supports and serves, in positive and meaningful ways.
Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC School in Paramus, NJ. Dr. Gerhardt has over 40 years of experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. He is the author or co-author on a number of articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASD and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic. Dr. Gerhardt serves as Co-Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research and is on numerous professional advisory boards including the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He currently serves as adjunct faculty in the Institute for Behavioral Studies at Endicott College. Dr. Gerhardt received his doctorate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Graduate School of Education.
Paul Aronsohn is currently serving as New Jersey’s statewide Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families – a position to which he was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy in April 2018. As such, he serves as the administration’s lead advocate and ally for New Jersey residents in need of critical services and supports ranging from early childhood through adulthood. Paul was also recently appointed by President Biden to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which serves as a federal advisor to the President and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Previously, Paul held several positions in both the public and private sectors. With respect to the former, prior to his current position, Paul served as a member of the Human and Children Services Committee for Governor-Elect Murphy’s Transition Team, which involved working with families and advocates of individuals with disabilities to cultivate recommendations for the incoming administration. Previously, Paul served as Mayor of Ridgewood and as a Councilmember in his north Jersey town. In 2002, he served as the Communications Director and Spokesperson for then-New Jersey Governor James McGreevey. He was also the 2006 Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th District. Earlier in his career, Paul spent several years working at the U.S. Department of State, where his focus was largely on international security matters, such as nonproliferation, arms control and peacekeeping. He also had the opportunity to serve three U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations – Madeleine Albright, Bill Richardson, and Richard Holbrooke. With respect to the private sector, Paul worked for several years in the healthcare industry, including most recently as the Director of Executive Communications at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Throughout the years, Paul has also served on the Boards of several New Jersey-based non-profit organizations, including the Bergen County Branch of the NAACP, the Adler Aphasia Center and Heightened Independence and Progress, a center for independent living in Bergen and Hudson counties. He is the founding member of the Ridgewood Community Access Network – a group focused on making that community even more inclusive and more welcoming for people with disabilities. He also serves on the Bergen County Disability Services Advisory Board. In 2019, Paul received the President’s Award from the Bergen County Council of Churches. In 2016, he received the Community Service Award from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee of Ridgewood and Glen Rock. That year, he also received the “Heroes” award from the Metropolitan AME Zion Church. In 2009, he received the “Salute to Champions” award from the Bergen County Executive for his work on disability issues. While at the U.S. Department of State, Paul received a Meritorious Honor Award as well as Certificate of Appreciation from the Joint Staff (U.S. Military). Paul was graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Communication and a Master of Arts in Political Science. Paul’s understanding and passion for disability issues is rooted in his family experience. Specifically, he learned so much from his siblings, including his sister, Patti, who lived her life with disabilities as well as with enormous strength, courage, grace and beauty. He also learned so much from their mother, Margot, who was his sister’s primary caregiver. On a lighter note, Paul considers his ability to survive an appearance on “The Colbert Report” (September 21, 2006) among his greatest achievements…..
FACT Schedule
| Time | Event(s) | |
| 8:00-8:50 | Registration/Breakfast | |
| 9:00-9:20 | Opening Remarks (Blessing, President, Dean) | |
| 9:20-9:50 | AM Keynote: Paul Aronsohn, MA | |
| 9:50-10:40 | Dr. Peter Gerhardt, EdD
Changing the Behavior of Behavior Analysts and other Professionals to Improve Adult Outcomes in ASD (BCBA CE) |
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| 10:50-11:40 | Michael Hitchcock, MA, BCBA, IBA & Cynthia Espinosa, MA, BCBA
Real World ABA: How a Nonprofit Organization Rebranded and Continues to Rebuild Their Reputation with Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA CE) |
Nicola Schneider, MA, BCBA
The Shift in Mindset: From Compliance to Compassion (BCBA Ethics CE) |
| 11:40-12:25 | Lunch | |
| 12:30-1:20 | PM Keynote: Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, EdD, BCBA
Thinking Forward – Autism and Planning for Transitions to Adulthood (BCBA CE) |
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| 1:30-2:20 | Panel Discussion: Dr. Michael Kuchar, Superintendent, Shane Miller, Principal, Ashley Vaughan, Director of Curriculum, Chris Hughes, Director of Outreach
The Power of Partnerships: Helping People Break Through Barriers to Unleash their Potential and Give their Best to the World |
Dr. Salena Babb, PhD, BCBA-D
Using Video Visual Scene Displays to Promote Social Interaction for Adolescents with ASD (BCBA CE) |
| 2:30-3:20 | Michael Farrelly & Tracy Lee
Paraprofessionals: Less is More |
Dr. Theoni Mantzoros, PhD, BCBA
Interventions for Vocal Stereotypy: How and When to Intervene (BCBA CE) |
FACT – Program Descriptions
Dr. Peter Gerhardt, EdD
Changing the Behavior of Behavior Analysts and other Professionals to Improve Adult Outcomes in ASD (BCBA CE)
Baer, Wolf and Risley (1968), noted that competently applied behavior analytic interventions should result in strong, socially important, and generalizable outcomes which, in this case, should mean positive adult outcomes in ASD. Unfortunately, despite an emphasis on evidence-based intervention in ASD, adult outcomes remain poor “for almost any outcome you choose.” (Roux, et al, 2015, p. 8). While there may be several reasons for such continued poor outcomes, the potential of applied behavior analysis to support more positive adult outcomes has yet to be fully explored or realized. This workshop will provide an overview of a set of recommended behavior changes for behavior analysts working with learners with ASD. Central to this is the better understanding and application of the process by which meaningful skills can be identified and targeted for acquisition.
Michael Hitchcock, MA, BCBA, IBA & Cynthia Espinosa, MA, BCBA
Real World ABA: How a Nonprofit Organization Rebranded and Continues to Rebuild Their Reputation with Applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA CE)
A story of how a non-profit organization rebranded and continues to rebuild their reputation and improve the quality of adult services by creating a Clinical Department made up of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Michael and Cynthia tell their narrative from a behavior analytic perspective about the evolution of their clinical team, the development of ABA programs across several day habilitation and residential settings, their use of ABA principles to establish collaborative efforts amongst departments within their organization, how they developed and implemented a variety of successful organizational systems and their innovative use of limited resources to overcome hurdles at every corner. Michael and Cynthia will talk candidly about their breakthroughs and barriers, that many organizations don’t want to discuss, about this process and how it ultimately increased the quality of services for their clients.
Nicola Schneider, MA, BCBA
The Shift in Mindset: From Compliance to Compassion (BCBA Ethics CE)
In recent years, the application of certain evidence-based practices in the field of behavior analysis has been criticized by the very individuals and caregivers we have been trusted to help. As more neurodivergent advocates share their experiences, the landscape of behavior analysis and the behavior of clinicians is being shaped, or at least should be shaped. By embedding the values of trauma-informed and trauma-assumed care, recent research in behavior analysis has shown that clinicians are able to leave behind outdated evidence-based practices without compromising the effectiveness of our science.
This presentation will empower clinicians working with vulnerable populations to:
- Move away from the ableist mindset that any individual requires ‘fixing’ and assume the most of the individuals under our care.
- Identify the traits of perspective-taking and empathy, that when acted upon translate to compassion.
- Recognize the key differences between consent, assent and assent withdrawal in individuals with and without vocal language.
- Develop meaningful relationships with both the individuals and their caregivers through empathetic listening, rapport building, and empowerment.
- Understand how the reflexive nervous systems affect the window of tolerance for learning and regulation.
- Discover research-based alternatives to escape-extinction and planned-ignoring.
PM Keynote: Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, EdD, BCBA
Thinking Forward – Autism and Planning for Transitions to Adulthood (BCBA CE)
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability; however, most available resources and supports center on children with autism and not adults. Too often, for individuals with autism, access to needed supports and services drops off dramatically after high school. (Roux, Shattuck, Rast, Rava, & Anderson, 2015). Effective transition planning may serve to promote positive outcomes for adults with autism. During this continuing education event, Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi will share practical planning tools that can promote effective transitions to Adulthood for individuals with autism.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Discuss and describe the process and significance of transition planning for children with autism.
- Define, discuss, and describe Person-centered planning and its role in planning for adulthood.
- Identify, describe, and discuss components of two planning tools (1) PATH: Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope and (2) MAPS: Making Action Plans
Panel Discussion: Dr. Michael Kuchar, Shane Miller, Ashley Vaughan, Chris Hughes
The Power of Partnerships: Helping People Break Through Barriers to Unleash their Potential and Give their Best to the World
The South Bergen Jointure Commission (SBJC) has researched and implemented a new program to help students with IEPs mitigate their disabilities which has resulted in developing learning strategies that challenge their students to live full and independent lives. This new program has dramatically increased social opportunities that reinforces life skills which promote independence. The SBJC partnered with the non-profit organization No Barriers USA and its founder Erik Weihenmayer (first blind person to climb Mt. Everest) in formalizing a theoretical framework that engages students in exploring new activities, showing them that “what’s within them is stronger than what’s in their way.”
Some of the activities that have been implemented as part of the SBJC No Barriers Program include:
- Yoga/Mindfulness
- Biking for All
- Hiking Leadership
- Summer Internships for SBJC Students
- 3-Season Athletics
- Swimming
- Equestrian Program
The SBJC believes that now more than ever that its children with extraordinary needs must be provided with opportunities that stretch the rubber band of possibilities—this program is the first step for SBJC to achieve its goal of unlocking the potential of every student.
Dr. Salena Babb, PhD, BCBA-D
Using Video Visual Scene Displays to Promote Social Interaction for Adolescents with ASD (BCBA CE)
Social interactions are critical to the quality of life for all individuals. This presentation details findings of a study that evaluated the effects of videos with integrated video visual scene displays (VSDs) on the communication opportunities fulfilled by adolescents with ASD and complex communication needs during social interactions with peer partners. Four adolescents with ASD and complex communication needs were taught to use video VSDs, presented on a tablet-based app, during social interactions with peer partners in a high school setting. Following the introduction of the video VSD intervention, all four adolescents with ASD demonstrated an increase in communicative turns compared to baseline. This presentation will include videos of participants and expand on the uses of video VSDs in other contexts.
Michael Farrelly & Tracy Lee
Paraprofessionals: Less is More
Come join this interactive session emphasizing the importance of the collaboration between families and educational teams to gain a greater understanding of how prompt dependency and the role of the paraprofessionals impacts long-term student outcomes and transitioning to adult life. The impact of common practices in many special education programs and research on adult-life opportunities, such as day habilitation programs, supported employment, volunteering and leisure programs will be shared.
More specifically, typical adult day habilitation programs function at a minimum of a 3:1 staff to client ratio. Programs such as DVRS and DDD provide job coaching services for limited time periods. In addition, natural supports in the community can easily fluctuate and are not always reliable. How these realities influence special education decisions are of critical importance.
Together we will discuss ways to better educate and partner with families, educational teams and service providers in the collaborative process at the IEP meeting and throughout the school setting. Our goal is to create a culture and shift the mindset of educators and caregivers that “less can be more.” Come prepared to share experiences and learn strategies to readily implement with your educational team!
Dr. Theoni Mantzoros, PhD, BCBA
Interventions for Vocal Stereotypy: How and When to Intervene (BCBA CE)
Individuals with ASD may engage in repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily living. One such behavior, vocal stereotypy (VS), is defined as vocalizations that do not operate as functional speech and vary in topography across individuals. Engagement in VS is not a sufficient enough reason to intervene with this behavior. First, practitioners must identify whether the behavior is impacting an individual’s contextually appropriate activities. If so, there are a variety of interventions that can be implemented for the purpose of decreasing VS and increasing meaningful engagement within a given environment.
With this presentation, practitioners will be able to:
- identify if and when to intervene on VS
- what types of interventions have been identified as most effective
- and how to implement three specific interventions.
SESSION 1
When: Mar 24, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Opening Remarks, Keynote, and Changing the Behavior of Behavior Analysts and other Professionals to Improve Adult Outcomes in ASD 9am-10:40am
Presenter: Dr. Peter Gerhardt, EdD
BCBA CE
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89445339526?pwd=L296QTE2M0VLMnJqWnZhVmFkOEhuUT09
Passcode: 281678
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 305 224 1968 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 360 209 5623 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 507 473 4847 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 689 278 1000 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 894 4533 9526
Passcode: 281678
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k1K9d5Jzv
SESSION 2 (2 OPTIONS)
When: Mar 24, 2023 10:50 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Real World ABA: How a Nonprofit Organization Rebranded and Continues to Rebuild Their Reputation with Applied Behavior Analysis 10:50am-11:40am
Presenters: Michael Hitchcock, MA, BCBA, IBA & Cynthia Espinosa, MA, BCBA
BCBA CE
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89342961144?pwd=bCt3UVhzWmI3NWFLQ0RoNGduREJTUT09
Passcode: 720761
Webinar ID: 893 4296 1144
Passcode: 720761
OR
When: Mar 24, 2023 10:50 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: The Shift in Mindset: From Compliance to Compassion 10:50AM-11:40
Presenter: Nicola Schneider, MA, BCBA
BCBA CE – ETHICS
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://felician.zoom.us/j/85637588890?pwd=a3VGTDFCNFRGS2w1VDRlQUlrZ3BoZz09
Passcode: 712272
Webinar ID: 856 3758 8890
Passcode: 712272
LUNCH 11:40 – 12:30
SESSION 3
When: Mar 24, 2023 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thinking Forward – Autism and Planning for Transitions to Adulthood 12:30PM-1:20
Presenter: Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi, EdD, BCBA
BCBA CE
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83693202292?pwd=SW92akczRmVJVlFrSHF0dTd6U1Bjdz09
Passcode: 938619
Webinar ID: 836 9320 2292
Passcode: 938619
SESSION 4 (2 OPTIONS)
When: Mar 24, 2023 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: The Power of Partnerships: Helping People Break Through Barriers to Unleash their Potential and Give their Best to the World 1:30PM-2:20PM
Presenters: SBJC Panel
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84226121384?pwd=OXdsN0pZQ2NNZlQ3NTYvZkN1b2JmUT09
Passcode: 650275
Webinar ID: 842 2612 1384
Passcode: 650275
OR
When: Mar 24, 2023 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Using Video Visual Scene Displays to Promote Social Interaction for Adolescents with ASD
Presenter: Dr. Salena Babb, PhD, BCBA-D
BCBA CE
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://felician.zoom.us/j/89213661377?pwd=Z1l1TE5nY2pDajhPN3MxUXpoWVpCZz09
Passcode: 982379
Webinar ID: 892 1366 1377
Passcode: 982379
SESSION 5 (2 OPTIONS)
When: Mar 24, 2023 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Paraprofessionals: Less is More 2:30PM-3:20PM
Presenters: Michael Farrelly & Tracy Lee
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84226121384?pwd=OXdsN0pZQ2NNZlQ3NTYvZkN1b2JmUT09
Passcode: 650275
Webinar ID: 842 2612 1384
Passcode: 650275
OR
When: Mar 24, 2023 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Interventions for Vocal Stereotypy: How and When to Intervene 2:30-3:20
Presenter: Dr. Theoni Mantzoros, PhD, BCBA
BCBA CE
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://felician.zoom.us/j/83755638517?pwd=WUk1Z0k0akFjK2NMY2Q0V1p0UHlOUT09
Passcode: 818450
Webinar ID: 837 5563 8517
Passcode: 818450
Hotel Accommodations
With this unique link attendees can reserve their rooms within the room block using Felician’s exclusive group rate. Please click here to view hotel accommodations. (Use our promo code: FEL)
