Join Eden II Programs for the 2026 Annual Conference, taking place Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island. This full-day professional conference brings together experts in the fields of behavior, education, psychology, social work, and speech-language pathology for a series of informative sessions focused on practical strategies and meaningful collaboration.
Topics include effective communication with families, meaningful downtime activities, crisis management, proactive behavior management, communicating with supervisors, and ABA basics. Continuing education credits are offered for BCBA, ASHA, social work, psychology, and CTLE professionals.
Contact Shari Schatzman at sschatzman@eden2.org if there is a need for any accommodations.
Intent to Earn ASHA CEUS:
By requesting ASHA CEUs, you grant permission for your information to be submitted to the ASHA CE Registry.
Satisfactory Completion Requirement: Learner Assessment
Learners seeking ASHA CEUs must complete a self-reflection that focuses on understanding of the content, the presenter’s delivery, and your overall experience. Completed self-reflections must be emailed to Jan M. Downey, ASHA CE Administrator for Eden II Programs, at speechceadmin@eden2.org no later than 10/13/26 to be eligible to receive ASHA CEUs.
Title: Communicating with Families: Effective Strategies for Understanding and Collaboration
Presenter: Ruth Donlin, M.S.
Abstract:
Effective communication between professionals and families is essential for developing collaborative relationships that support positive outcomes for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. This presentation will examine practical, evidence-informed communication strategies that foster trust, mutual understanding, and collaborative problem-solving while recognizing the unique experiences and challenges families may encounter. Strategies for responding to common communication challenges and developing family-centered recommendations that are realistic, meaningful, and implementable will also be discussed.
Learner Outcomes:
Time Order Agenda:
10 minutes - Importance of effective communication and understanding the family perspective
15 minutes - Evidence-informed communication strategies that promote trust, empathy, and collaborative relationships
20 minutes - Developing family-centered recommendations by identifying barriers to implementation and adapting strategies to fit individual family needs
10 minutes - Case examples illustrating effective communication, collaborative problem-solving, and practical application of family-centered strategies
5 minutes - Questions and answers
Disclosure Statement: Ruth Donlin serves as President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and will receive an honorarium for this presentation. She has no other relevant relationships to report.
Title: Meaningful Down Time Activities & Experiences for Older Learners
Presenter: Brittany Goodrich, MS
Abstract:
Meaningful leisure experiences are essential for supporting personal fulfillment, healthy aging, and overall well-being for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This presentation will target practical strategies for adapting downtime activities into opportunities for choice, socialization, and purposeful engagement. Attendees will explore practical strategies for scaling activities to individual preferences and abilities, examine the role of the existing environment, and develop communication approaches that encourage participation across any care setting.
Learner outcomes:
Time order agenda:
10 minutes - Overview of aging in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), increasing life expectancy and growing need to support meaningful participation across the lifespan
15 minutes - Review of activity adaptation techniques that maximize participation for older adults with diverse abilities
15 minutes - Discussion of communication prompts and strategies that facilitate socialization with older adults
15 minutes - Examination of environmental considerations that reduce barriers and increase activity engagement
5 minutes - Questions and answers
Disclosure statement: Brittany Goodrich is an employee of Pathfinder Village, Inc., an affiliate of the Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome, and will receive an honorarium for this presentation. She has no other relevant relationships to report.
Title: Proactive Behavior Management Strategies for High-Risk Maladaptive Behaviors: Integrating Functional Communication Training and Evidence-Based Supports
Presenters:
Abstract:
This presentation will target evidence-based proactive behavior management strategies for addressing high-risk maladaptive behaviors through the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Functional Communication Training (FCT), functional behavior assessment, antecedent-based interventions and communication replacement strategies will be discussed as approaches to reducing challenging behaviors while increasing meaningful communication skills. The presentation will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, educators and caregivers to develop individualized interventions that improve functional outcomes. Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing communication-based supports and proactive interventions across clinical, educational and community settings.
Learner Outcomes:
Time Order Agenda:
5 minutes - Discussion of high-risk maladaptive behaviors, behavioral functions and the role of functional assessment in intervention planning.
20 minutes - Review of FCT, including assessment procedures, communication replacement behaviors and implementation strategies, and Case Study #1.
20 minutes - Discussion of proactive behavior management strategies, including antecedent interventions, visual supports, augmentative/alternative Communication (AAC) considerations and environmental modifications, and Case Study #2.
10 minutes - Discussion of interdisciplinary collaboration between behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, educators and caregivers to support effective intervention outcomes.
5 minutes - Questions and answers.
Disclosure Statements:
Annmarie Itgen is an employee of Eden II Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.
Behold Shahollari is an employee of Eden II Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.
Charles Kramer is an employee of Eden II Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.
Title: Communicating with Supervisors Effectively: Professional Strategies for Raising Concerns, Sharing Ideas, and Strengthening Collaboration
Presenter: Randy Horowitz, M.S.Ed., SAS
Abstract:
Effective communication between employees and supervisors is essential to maintaining high-quality services, positive workplace culture, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. This interactive presentation provides practical, evidence-informed strategies for preparing difficult conversations, presenting concerns with proposed solutions, navigating disagreements respectfully, and understanding supervisory perspectives within human service organizations. Participants will identify communication techniques that strengthen professional relationships, improve problem-solving skills, reduce workplace conflict, and ultimately enhance services for individuals receiving care.
Learning Outcomes:
Time Order Agenda:
5 minutes – Introduction - Why communication matters in healthcare and educational settings
10 minutes - Understanding the Supervisor’s Perspective
15 minutes - Best Practices for Communicating Concerns and Ideas
10 minutes - Common Communication Challenges
10 minutes - Communication Practice
5 minutes - Building a Culture of Professional Communication
5 minutes - Summary and Questions/Key takeaways
Disclosure statement: Randy Horowitz is an employee of Eden II and has no other relevant relationships to report
