TEACHING FOR TOMORROW: The Importance of Building Lifelong Skills for Individuals with ASD Virtual Conference - March 21st, 2025

February 20, 2025 | Past Webinars

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Register Now" style="classic" shape="square" color="primary" size="lg" align="center" i_icon_fontawesome="fas fa-angle-right" add_icon="true" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Feden2.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_8MY4KZvSTNiAS4qfkG-eXw|title:Differentiating%20ASD%20and%20Late%20Language%20Emergence%20in%20Young%20Children"][vc_column_text]Teaching for Tomorrow: The Importance of Building Lifelong Skills for Individuals with ASD

Title: Don't Waste My Time: Building Lifelong Skills

Presenters: Mary McDonald, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Lauren Cuttone, MS. Ed.

Abstract:

Teaching students with autism essential life skills is crucial for fostering independence and long-term success. This session focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance meaningful skill development while ensuring instruction is engaging and effective. This session will explore individualized approaches to teaching functional communication, daily living, and self-advocacy skills using ABA principles. Attendees will learn how to prioritize skills that promote autonomy, embed learning into natural routines, and reduce reliance on prompts. By focusing on efficient and purposeful interventions, educators and practitioners can empower students with autism to build lasting, meaningful skills that will enhance their quality of life.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will identify and prioritize lifelong skills that promote independence and long-term success for students with autism.
Attendees will define evidence-based ABA strategies to teach communication, daily living, and self-advocacy skills in meaningful and engaging ways.
Attendees will describe strategies to embed skill-building into natural routines to ensure generalization and long-term retention.
Attendees will identify effective prompting and fading techniques to reduce prompt dependency and support autonomous skill development.

Time Order Agenda

10 minutes Introduction & Importance of Teaching Lifelong Skills Objectives

10 minutes Identifying & Prioritizing Functional Skills

15 minutes Evidence-Based Strategies for Skill Development

10 minutes Embedding Skills into Natural Routines

5 minutes Reducing Prompt Dependency & Encouraging Independence

Disclosure: Mary E. McDonald is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.

Disclosure: Lauren Cuttone is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.

Title: Mastering Communication Across the Lifespan

Presenters: Jan M. Downey, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH

Jacqueline Libretti, MS. Ed., BCBA-LBA

Abstract:

Lifelong learning of relevant, functional language and communication skills is essential for achieving a quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This presentation will focus on evidence-based teaching strategies to increase these skills across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will identify verbal and nonverbal language and communication deficits exhibited by many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Attendees will describe evidence-based teaching strategies to increase relevant and functional language and communication skills early and throughout the lifespan.
Attendees will describe effective collaborative strategies between school-age and adult services’ team members to ensure knowledge and use of mastered language and communication skills is maintained and further developed.

Time Order Agenda:

10 minutes Discussion of verbal and nonverbal language and communication deficits in

individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

25 minutes Evidence-based teaching strategies from an early age throughout the lifespan

10 minutes Discussion of collaborative strategies among team members to maintain and

increase communication skills throughout the lifespan

5 minutes Questions and answers

Disclosure: Jan M. Downey is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and is the parent of two adult sons with autism. There are no other relevant relationships to report.

Disclosure: Jacqueline Libretti is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.

Title: Less is More: Systematically Reducing Supports for Individuals with ASD

Presenters: Erin Archibald, MS. Ed., SAS

Kathleen Cutrone, MS. Ed., BCBA-LBA

Abstract:

Providing support is essential for individuals with autism, but excessive reliance on prompts and assistance can hinder independence. This session will explore evidence-based strategies for fading support while maintaining skill acquisition and success. This session will cover effective prompting hierarchies, reinforcement strategies, and systematic data-driven approaches to ensure individuals develop autonomy in communication, daily living, and social interactions. Attendees will learn how to balance support with independence, reduce prompt dependency, and promote self-sufficiency in various environments. By implementing structured support reduction plans, educators and practitioners can empower individuals with ASD to reach their full potential.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will identify the risks of over-reliance on prompts and supports and understand how excessive assistance can hinder independence.
Attendees will describe evidence-based strategies for systematically fading prompts while maintaining skill acquisition and success.
Attendees will define data-driven decision-making to monitor progress and adjust support levels based on individual needs.
Attendees will identify reinforcement strategies that encourage autonomy and promote self-sufficiency in communication, daily living, and social interactions.

Time Order Agenda:

10 minutes Introduction & Importance of Reducing Supports

10 minutes Understanding the Risks of Over-Supporting

15 minutes Evidence-Based Strategies for Fading Prompts

10 minutes Data-Driven Decision Making

5 minutes Reinforcement Strategies to Promote Independence

Disclosure: Erin Archibald is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.

Disclosure: Kathleen Cutrone is an employee of Eden II Genesis Programs and has no other relevant relationships to report.

Title: The Importance of Independence and Interdependence in Individuals with Autism

Spectrum Disorders

Presenter: Mary McDonald, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Abstract:

One of the greatest challenges faced is promoting independence in the individuals we serve so that they can live the best quality of life possible. Independence is an essential life skill for the individuals we serve and is often an area of focus when developing goals. However, the sometimes-overlooked area of interdependence may be an even more crucial skill for success in daily life. Individuals with autism may attempt to behave independently when they are better served by accessing others to help them to solve a problem. Interdependence is a way in which we can achieve our goals and solve problems but includes others in the solution. This presentation will focus on the importance of both independence and interdependence in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Independence and interdependence will be discussed and operationally defined. Specific examples will be used to highlight skills of independence and interdependence throughout the presentation. There will be a discussion regarding the assessment and observation of adolescents and adults with autism in the areas of independence and interdependence across domains. There will be discussion regarding how early assessment and implementation of intervention related to promoting independence and interdependence can foster these skills at an earlier age and help prepare the individuals we serve for their adult life. The use of technology will be incorporated throughout the presentation. The relevance of independence and interdependence will be reviewed and discussed across several domains such as social skills, communication, vocational, leisure, health and safety and daily living skills.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will operationally define independence vs interdependence.
Attendees will identify the importance of interdependence as it relates to social behavior.
Attendees will identify behavioral interventions used to improve independence and interdependence across domains.

Time ordered agenda

10 minutes Review definitions of Independence and Interdependence

15 minutes Review independence and interdependence across 5 domains (social skills,

communication, vocational, leisure, health and safety and daily living skills)

10 minutes Review observation and assessment strategies

10 minutes Review teaching procedures

5 minutes Review when and how to start implementing teaching procedures to develop

independence and interdependence skills

0.3 ASHA CEUS offered, Introductory level[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="18905" img_size="full" alignment="center"][vc_btn title="Register Now" style="classic" shape="square" color="primary" size="lg" align="center" i_icon_fontawesome="fas fa-angle-right" add_icon="true" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Feden2.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_8MY4KZvSTNiAS4qfkG-eXw|title:Differentiating%20ASD%20and%20Late%20Language%20Emergence%20in%20Young%20Children"][/vc_column][/vc_row]