Thank you for your interest in the March 2020 Lecture

 Autism Conversations: A Framework for Assessment and

Intervention Across Age and Ability Levels 

Dr. Marilyn J. Monteiro

Saturday, March 7

9am - 4pm

This one-day conference provides school psychologists and other practitioners with a practical framework to understand and talk about autism spectrum brain style differences in students across age and ability levels. Participants will be introduced to qualitative interview techniques using the sensory-based MIGDAS-2 evaluation process, including how to engage students in clinical interviews that highlight their areas of strength in addition to autism spectrum differences. Additional skills taught in this workshop include structuring parent and teacher interviews, and modeling the positive and practical language to use when discussing the diagnosis with them. Participants will learn to use a group of autism evaluation tools to support their effective identification of co-occurring conditions and differential diagnostic determinations. They will also gain practical skills in linking the individual student behavior profile to key educational supports and interventions.

Learning Objectives

• Use a visual organizational framework in line with the DSM-5 and IDEA criteria to recognize and describe the full range of autism spectrum differences in school-aged students (preschool through secondary).
• Explain the differences across the autism spectrum to parents and teachers.
  
• Be able to list 2 key tools to conduct a sensory-based diagnostic interview with students whose communication skills range from verbally fluent to functionally nonverbal.
• Recognize a minimum of 3 of autism spectrum evaluation tools and identify how to use a core group of tools to make effective diagnostic determinations.
• Develop individualized Brain Style Profiles across at least 3 age and ability levels.
• Identify the co-occurrence rate of three additional eligibility categories seen in students with autism spectrum differences.
• Identify at least 3 key supports and interventions that link to the individualized Brain Style Profile across age and ability levels.