Summer Applied Behavior Analysis Workshops
Hosted by the Westwood Public Schools

These training programs provide a practical introduction to the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that prepare general education teachers and instructional aides to support students with autism spectrum disorders.

The New England Center for Children (NECC®) has been educating children with autism using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for over 30 years. NECC has been a national leader in both research and practice of ABA. Our staff members are frequent contributors to professional journals in the field of ABA and often present at national and international conferences.

This hands-on program combines lecture and small group activities with practical experience. Participants will be able to put the skills they’ve learned into practice!

Introduction: Educating Students with Autism

When: Monday, August 18, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• The introduction will provide participants with an overview of autism spectrum disorders and the components of ABA including reinforcement and data collection. This session will provide a foundation for all of the following workshops.
  

Making Progress: Teaching Strategies for Students with ASD

When: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Participants will learn and practice a variety of methods for teaching new skills to learners with special needs, including discrete trial instruction, incidental teaching and task analysis. This workshop includes hands-on practice of each of these teaching methods. Following a discussion of these topics, participants will have the opportunity to practice what they have just learned. This workshop is best suited for paraprofessionals working directly with students and special educators new to ABA.
  

The Successful Student: Preventing and Reducing Challenging Behaviors

When: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• This workshop will teach you how to prioritize and assess problem behaviors with a focus on implementing proactive strategies and teaching functional skills to ensure student success. Participants will learn how to assess the function of a targeted behavior and use this information to program for student success. This workshop will benefit paraprofessionals working directly with students, general educators including students with autism in their classroom as well as special educators new to ABA.

Inclusion: How to make it work!

When: Thursday, August 21, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Participants of this workshop will learn how to plan for the successful inclusion of students with autism in general education settings. Topics will include developing student schedules, skill acquisition and independence in the general education setting, and data collection methods. This workshop is perfect for general educators and paraprofessionals including students with autism in the general education classroom.