This month kicks off a brand new line up of Autism 200 Series lectures for 2015. This month’s lecture will be held Thursday, January 15, 2015, at Seattle Children’s Hospital in Wright Auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m.. These classes are designed for parents, teachers and caregivers. The topics associated with the majority of classes are applicable to all age ranges and for a wide variety of children diagnosed with autism.
Join clinical psychologist, Raphael Bernier and speech pathologist, Jim Mancini, from the Seattle Children’s Autism Center for our annual “State of Autism in 2015” presentation. They will discuss: advances in research from genetics to broccoli sprouts; changes to statewide systems including DDA, updates on ABA and neurodevelopmental therapy coverage and trends affecting the statewide education; and how has autism spectrum disorder been covered in the media? Come and learn about the most newsworthy stories of the past year, information related to changes on the horizon and the impact these changes may have on your family.
There is no need to register in advance to attend. Classes are open to the general public. If you cannot attend in person, lectures are available to view from our video and teleconferencing sites at various locations throughout Washington, Alaska and Oregon. Lectures are also recorded. View past lectures.
Please call Seattle Children’s Autism Center at 206-987-8080 with any questions.
Autism 200 Series Line Up for 2015:
Autism 201: The State of Autism in 2015
January 15: Instructors: Raphael Bernier, PhD & Jim Mancini MS, CCC-SLP
(See description above)
Autism 202: Medication Management and ASD
February 19: Instructor: A.A. Golombek, MD
Medication management in children is often a difficult and confusing decision for parents. Dr. Golombek, a child psychiatrist at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center, will discuss the role of medications within a comprehensive treatment strategy for children with autism; specific problems of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, anxiety and depression, and disruptive behavior; the evidence for various medications; and how to evaluate medication trials.
Autism 203: Video games, Dating, Homework Oh My! Guiding Tweens and Teens as they Navigate their World
March 19: Instructors: Ben Wahl, MSW & Rafael Boccamazzo, PhD
The middle school and high school years can be hard for anyone. For young people on the Autism Spectrum (and their parents), the transition into adolescence can present particular challenges. Ben Wahl, MSW and Dr. Raffael Boccamazzo, from Aspiring Youth Program, will discuss the issues that families often confront during these years and will share concrete strategies. The presenters will give specific discussion to these topics: building motivation and organizational skills, addressing anxiety, coaching social skills and improving independent living skills.
Autism 204: A Visit to the Dentist: Promoting Oral Care
April 16: Instructor: Travis Nelson, DDS, MSD, MPH
Dental visits are often very challenging for children with autism. Unfamiliar faces, bright lights, funny smells, strange tastes, and a chair that moves make a dental appointment one of the most difficult. Dr. Travis Nelson, a Pediatric Dentist with the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s, will discuss common issues related to oral health in children with ASD, strategies to decrease the risk of cavities, and approaches to improve the dental visit experience.
Autism 205: Special Education Law: Navigating the IEP Process
May 21: Instructor: Stacy Gillett, State Education Ombudsman for Washington State
Whether you are a family member or professional who supports families with school age children with disabilities, the IEP process can be confusing and overwhelming. Stacy Gillett works at the Governor’s Office of the Education Ombudsman and has more than 22 years experience training families, professionals and educators about IDEA and Section 504. She will review the essential components of Evaluation, Determining a Student’s Needs, Development of the IEP, and what happens when a parent disagrees with the school district. She will also talk about Developing positive Behavior Support plans and Discipline Issues that arise for students with Disabilities.
Autism 206: Transition to Adulthood – Cognitive Behavior Therapy
June 18: Instructor: Felice Orlich, PhD
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that is commonly used to target deficits seen in teenagers and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Felice Orlich, a psychologist from the Seattle Children’s Autism Center will define and describe CBT, discuss characteristics of good candidates for the approach and provide information to parents and educations or are interested in pursuing CBT as a treatment option.
Autism 207: Transition to Adulthood – Financial Planning
July 16: Instructor: Linda Hunter Suzman, ChSNC
As children with ASD move into adolescence and on to adulthood, families face many challenges when the structure of school is not available. The realization that many of these young adults may not be able to support themselves, make decisions, have a spouse or live a completely independent life because of their social challenges makes financial planning imperative for families. Special Needs parent and Financial Service professional, Linda Hunter Suzman, ChSNC will define the issues and provide an overview and strategies for Life Care Planning, SSI, general financial and trust plans as well as the new ABLE Act of 2014, passed in December, which allows families to begin 529 plans for disabled family members.
Autism 208: Transition to Adulthood – Lifelong Learning: Enhancing Quality of Life through Community Engagement
August 20: Instructors: Gary Stobbe, MD & Tammy Mitchel, Program Manager, Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center
The transition out of the education system and into adulthood involves many layers of planning to ensure a high quality of life and ongoing development for adults with ASD. Dr. Gary Stobbe, Director of Adult Transition at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, and Tammy Mitchel, Program Manager at the Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center will share essential planning tips for the transition into adulthood. Topics will include: wrap-around planning for daytime and recreation activities, community integration, housing options and vocational training.
Autism 209: Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities
September 17: Instructor: Mendy Minjarez, PhD
Many children with autism and developmental disabilities are delayed in reaching their toilet training milestones. The usual toilet training strategies are not always effective, leaving parents frustrated and unsure of how to proceed. Dr. Mendy Minjarez, a behavioral psychologist at Seattle Children’s Autism Center, will review best practices in addressing toilet training goals in this population of children. This presentation will include information about toileting readiness, behavioral interventions for addressing toilet training in children with developmental delays, and trouble shooting specific toileting problems, such as fears, and refusal.
Autism 210: Myths and Facts – Evaluating the Science of Autism
October 15: Instructors: Jennifer Mannheim, ARNP & David Eaton, ARNP
There is so much information on the internet about autism. How do you separate fact from fiction? Two of the Seattle Children’s Autism Center providers, David Eaton, ARNP and Jennifer Mannheim, ARNP, will talk about how to read the science so you can make up your own mind. They will cover some of the popular topics today so you can decide if it is a myth or fact.
Autism 211: “If I had known Then what I know Now” – A Panel of Parents of Older Children and Young Adults with ASD
November 19: Facilitator: Katrina Davis, BA
Join Seattle Children’s Autism Center’s Family Advocate, Katrina Davis and a panel of veteran parents who will offer an intimate and personal look into their journey raising a child with autism. Parents will share their perspectives, experiences, challenges and joys. What helped? What did not help? What would you do differently? What advice do you have for new parents? Audience participation will be encouraged.
The autism 200 series looks amazing! I am in Florida and really wish I was able to attend. I will try and view any recorded videos. I love the information that you are providing.