Dr. Daniel Openden- Workshop

The Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center’s
Distinguished Speaker Series

Dr. Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Evidence Based Interventions for Children with Autism:
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) for Academic Instruction, Social Communication and Target Behaviors
 

This presentation will delineate the development and implementation of Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence-based model for teaching children with autism. PRT has been described in the literature as a family-centered approach that may be implemented throughout the day and across natural environments such as in the home, at school, or in the community.
First, the presenter will address the widespread misunderstanding about what constitutes an applied behavior analysis (ABA)-based intervention by putting ABA in a larger context as a scientific approach for improving socially important behaviors. Second, the presenter will discuss procedures for improving the pivotal response of motivation to produce generalized improvements in language and social skills and reductions in disruptive behaviors. Motivational procedures include task variation, child choice, rewarding attempts, and using natural reinforcers. Video examples will be used to illustrate how parents and professionals can implement the procedures throughout the day and across settings.
Next, the presenter will discuss how the motivational procedures of PRT may be implemented in inclusive environments (home, school, and community) to improve academic responding and provide opportunities for children with autism to interact with their typically developing peers.
Finally, the presenter will describe Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) for understanding why problem behaviors occur in natural settings and environments, an essential component for implementing effective positive behavior support plans.

This training is recommended for speech pathologists, occupational therapists, parents, family members, clinical interventionists, educators, psychologists, providers, habilitators, paraprofessionals and others with an interest in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Learner Objectives:
Participants will be able to discuss PRT as an evidence-based intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Participants will be able to describe procedures for improving the pivotal response of motivation to produce generalized improvements in language and social skills.
Participants will be able to describe procedures for reducing problem behaviors.
Participants will be able to modify academic instruction using PRT.

Presenter: Daniel Openden, Ph.D., BCBA-D is Vice President and Clinical Services Director for the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). He received his doctorate in Special Education, Disability, and Risk Studies and has worked extensively with families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders on both federal and state funded research projects; provided consulting and training for school districts across the country; presented research at regional, state, and national conventions; and has been published in peer reviewed journals and book chapters in the field. He has expertise in developing training programs for teaching parents and professionals to implement Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment model for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Openden is currently an Associate Editor for the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions and his research interests include parent education, professional development, positive behavior supports, early intervention, inclusion, and dissemination of service delivery models for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
8:00– 4:45
The United Methodist Church
1515 Fredricks Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Cost:  $90 Lunch & drinks included*
*please call or email with dietary restrictions

Agenda: 
8:00-8:30– Registration
8:30-10:15– ABA and Evidence Based Practices in Autism
10:15- 10:30 Break
10:30– 12:30 PRT for teaching social communication
12:30-1:00– Lunch: On site
1:00-2:45– Modifying Academic Instruction using PRT
2:45– 3:00 Break
3:00– 4:30 Understanding and Reducing problem behaviors
4:30– 4:45 Wrap-up, Evaluations

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development.
Cancellations received seven working days prior to the presentation are refundable less $10 administrative charge. Payment is nonrefundable for cancellations made after the seven working day deadline.

Registration: 
Distinguished Speaker Series
To register, please contact Becca at 805-440-7524 or via email at: ConferenceReg@AutismSpectrumCenter.com
Please open the flier, detach registration slip and mail with payment to:
CCASC– Speaker Series
889 Murray Street, Suite 200
San Luis Obispo, CA  93405

Downloadable FIles

Downloadable Files: 

Openden Workshop Flier