Schedule

March 20th (Day 1)

8:30-9:00 Sign in/registration

9-10:30 Inspire

Increased emphasis on client assent in our ethical codes refocuses the importance of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) to bidirectionally attune our interactions via client strengths and preferences. Learn to use the Applied Model of Interprofessional Collaboration-Assessment (AMIC-A) (Kasper, Slim & Reuter-Yuill, 2024) to aid in selection of AAC modalit(ies) and instructional practices. Learn to use current reinforcers to define, measure, and shape indicating responses (e.g., eye gaze, approach, gesture, vocalization) and expand reinforcers. Identify conventional and unconventional methods to identify” likes”/ “dislikes” which provides opportunities to build greater agency and autonomy and define methods to measure assent/assent withdrawal.

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:00 Engage

Learn to develop social behavioral play chains across 5 different types of toys and activities to increase the frequency and variety of indicating responses, correlated with improved language outcomes (Topping, et al. 2013), motivation for tasks (Shillingsburg, Bowen & Shapiro, 2014; Shillingsburg, Hansen & Wright, 2019) and correlated with social behavioral cusps and better learner outcomes (Harms & Greer, 2020).

12:00-1:00 Lunch (Included)

1:00-2:15 Interact

Analyze video, learn a self-instruction pneumonic “INTERACT “and leave with a plan for a unique learner that promotes greater choice-making and establishes the persistence and resilience needed to teach functional and formal communication and shape speech production. Learn successful methods to train and supervise staff.

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-4:00 Collaborate

Ethical codes from speech-language pathology, behavior analysis and other fields emphasize the importance of interprofessional collaboration. Learn how procedures/assessments from the two fields can be combined and analyzed to select common strategies for improving communication and speech intelligibility and train and supervise staff.

Day 2

8:30-9 Sign-in/registration

9-10:30 Know Better!

Understanding speech development through the eyes of a speech-language pathologist and a behavior analyst can enhance target selection and instructional practices. Learn how we can honor our ethical codes regarding collaboration and use methods to partner with team members to collect communication information and speech sound and syllable inventory in natural environments and structured teaching.

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:00 Do Better!

Examine a hierarchy of intervention strategies rooted in behavior analysis and speech-language pathology which can be implemented by team members while practicing within our ethical codes. These range from specific evidence-based instructional strategies to combine AAC with vocal language, use of delay to reinforcement, developmentally based echoic trials, successive approximations to target(Kasper and Kaufman) and Phonetic Hand Cues (Kasper).

12:00-1:00 Lunch (Included)

1:00-2:15 Better Together!

Learn methods to train and calibrate team members via Behavioral Skills Training (BST), Procedural Integrity Checks, and Video self-analysis using a Performance Feedback Analysis. View video case studies which illustrate implementation of these procedures, results, and research outcomes. See results of research on staff training methods.

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-4:00 Building Conversation Together!

Learn to use matrix training to teach learners to generate two word combinations for vocal verbal clients and clients using speech generating devices. Move beyond simple requesting (manding), labeling (tacting) and responding to questions (intraverbals) to teaching learners to ask questions.

Registration:

Registration fee includes:

Certificate of Attendance, CEU Eligibility, Lunches both days, and refreshments.

Registration: $410 per person

Early Bird Registration: $395 (before February 14^th)

*Groups of 3 or more may deduct $15 per person when registrations are sent together.

Written cancellations will be accepted until February 28, 2025. A non-refundable administrative fee of $25 will be charged for all cancellations. No refunds after the deadline, however, credit will be given for future courses.

Please click here to register for single participant

Please click here to register for a group

Payment Information:

Payment may be made through the registration link above, via phone at (207) 797-8255, or mailed to:

Hammond Associates, Inc.

1250 Forest Ave., Suite 301

Portland, ME 04103

Speaker Disclosures:

Tamara Kasper was the primary owner and director of The Center for Autism Treatment, Inc., directs Kasper Enterprises, LLC., and currently serves as Consultant, Clinical Center of Excellence for Caravel Autism Health. Tamara has a relationship with Northern Speech Services and National Rehabilitation Services and receives reimbursement for ASHA CEU approved presentations which she conducts through Northern Speech Services. She is the co-author, with Nancy Kaufman, MS, CCC-SLP of the K & K Sign/Select to Talk Nouns & Verbs Kit and receives royalties for sale of this product. She is also a contributing author to the book, Understanding Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis 2nd Edition by Ann Beirne (Author), Jacob A. Sadavoy (Author) and “Promoting Language for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners” and various blogs, articles, and research. Tamara’s products may appear in videos and photos within this presentation but are not the focus of the presentation.

Tamara is Communications Coordinator for the Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and an active member of the Assent SIG of The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), and several other special interest groups.

Location:

Keeley’s Banquet Center

178 Warren Ave.