Tag Archives: ACT Event

Mindfulness and Compassion in Parenting – Spring 2024

Mindfulness and Compassion in Parenting

An 11-Week 90-minute Program for Parents and Caregivers of Autistic Children and Adolescents

Wednesdays from April 3 to June 12, 2024
6:30pm – 8:00pm Pacific Time

Live on Zoom

Facilitated by Georgina Robinson, PhD & Zoey Ryan, BSc.

Applications for this program have closed.

Those accepted onto the program will be invited to register. This program has a fee of $400.

Apply for the program
Georgina Robinson
Zoey Ryan

Due to a high number of applications for the previous program, this is the second group we will be running in 2024.

This will be an accepting, non-judgmental group dedicated to building the emotional resilience of parents caring for Autistic children and adolescents (ages 0-19). Participation in this group will teach skills to help you recharge your emotional and physical reservoir, cope with stress effectively, improve your caregiving relationship and build associated skills in your child.

Attend this program to learn how to:

  • Activate your soothing system and regulate feelings of threat, worry and self-criticism.
  • Recognize your stress patterns and respond more skillfully to situations involving yourself and those you care for.
  • Attend to the needs of those you care for with kindness, patience, and wisdom.
  • Increase the emotional strength, well being and problem-solving abilities of those you care for.
  • Create healthier and more productive relationships between family members.
  • Learn how to self-regulate and model adaptive responses to stress, which may translate to better co-regulation with your child during difficult times.

An Opportunity to Engage in Research

This is the fourth time that ACT has sponsored this program in collaboration with researchers at the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Lab at Simon Fraser University. The results from the programs held over the past two years showed positive results, including significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, parental mental health, family quality of life, parental connections with children and skills to cope with stress.

This is an opportunity for participants to expand this research and create more informative outcomes. Applicants will be asked to complete questionnaires both pre and post program. All responses will be coded, and participant identities will remain anonymous. Neither ACT staff nor the group facilitators will have access to individual participant data.

Compassion in Parenting is a 11-week course that combines empirically based practices from Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), along with research that supports caregiver and family wellbeing. 

This program has been adapted specifically for caregivers of children with Autism, and participants in this group will have the opportunity to connect with other parents facing similar parenting experiences.  

This is a skill development program that requires active engagement and participation. In order to fully benefit, participants will be expected to be free of childcare or work obligations during the 90-minute sessions and will have access to a learning lab to further their skill development.  

For those who devote their lives to caring for children with significant needs, this is an opportunity to dedicate some time to important self care, learning how to treat oneself with kindness, and soothe any ragged emotions during difficult times. Participants will learn self-compassion practices that can help them combat compassion fatigue. The stress reduction component will teach them how to identify reactive patterns and respond to their own needs and the needs of those they care for more effectively. Caregivers will learn tools to help them manage stress, model compassion and kindness, and listen deeply to better support the needs of their children and family.

Comments from Past Participants:

  • “This program has been an amazing way to connect with my kiddos. It’s all around been an opportunity that allows me to feel something for me again, so I can reflect calmness and be present for my children again. I am very grateful”.
  • “This course has really helped me to stop feeling guilty. I learned how important it is to look after ourselves so we can be strong and present for our children.”
  • “I often compare myself and my children with others and I feel like a failure. Not in this class. I’ve learned to be aware of our own, and our kids own, unique beauty and worth.”
  • “This program has been life-changing. My husband says he has been noticing how much different I am in how I can cope with daily stressors.”

Georgina Robinson PhD

Dr. Robinson has a doctoral degree in educational and counselling psychology from the University of British Columbia. Georgina brings over 25 years of experience working with children, families, and schools with particular focus on supporting those with ASD and complex needs. She considers her greatest learning being her experience raising her own children including a son with ASD.  Georgina is passionate about supporting caregivers, those who provide support to others and are at risk for compassion fatigue.

Dr. Robinson is a certified School Psychologist, trained teacher of Mindful Self Compassion and Making Friends with Yourself, with additional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy. Georgina is grateful to have received training from international leaders in Mindfulness Based Interventions including Susan Woods, Mark Williams, Rebecca Crane, Christopher Germer, Kristen Neff and Lorraine Hobbs.

“I have experienced through my own personal practice how mindfulness enhances my ability to develop insight into my own patterns of thoughts, emotions and actions, as well as the recognition of the associated bodily sensations I was not aware of previously. MSC added the awareness of the huge role my self-critic played, contributing to anxiety, and how nourishing it is to allow myself to receive kindness and compassion which I previously thought was only appropriate to provide to others. I am eager to share the power of Mindfulness interventions with those who deserve to benefit from this gift of resiliency.”   

To learn more about this program, please contact Georgina at [email protected]

Zoey Ryan BSc.

Zoey is a Health Educator and Professional Certified Coach (Life, Leadership and Organizational Development) who has worked in health care and health care management for over 30 years.

She started her career as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (BCDNA Registrant 1980 – 2003) and most recently combined her coach training and health background to work as the Program Manager for a Community based health program for families. During this time, understanding the positive outcomes of a mind/body approach to stress management and health, Zoey completed Hatha and Pre-Natal Yoga teacher training prior to taking the “Mindful Self Compassion” program herself. Finding great benefit from the program, Zoey continued on with the three year program to become a ‘Trained Teacher with the Center for Mindful Self Compassion’.

Dr. Robinson will invite applicants who have been accepted to register for the course after Thursday, February 23, 2024.

This program has a $500 registration fee, ACT has a limited number of partial bursaries up to $200. If you require a bursary to support your registration, please indicate so on the application form.

The use of Autism Funding can be used to cover the cost of registration under the training category. 

Autism Funding

Do not submit an AFU request until you have been notified on February 23, 2024 of your acceptance into the program.

If you wish to use your child’s Autism Funding (BC only) to pay for your registration, ACT can invoice the Autism Funding Branch directly. If you are paying in advance to be reimbursed, you must contact the Autism Funding Branch for approval first.

For information on how to register with your Autism Funding, visit Workshop Registration Using Autism Funding.

For more information regarding program costs please contact [email protected].

ACT Events

Payment Details

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Mindfulness and Compassion in Parenting

Mindfulness and Compassion in Parenting

An 11-Week 90-minute Program for Parents and Caregivers of Autistic Children and Adolescents

Wednesdays from April 3 to June 12, 2024

6:30pm – 8:00pm Pacific Time

Live on Zoom

Facilitated by Georgina Robinson, PhD & Zoey Ryan, BSc.

Georgina Robinson
Zoey Ryan

Applications for the waitlist Spring Sessions are reopening:

The cost of this six-week series is $500. Bursaries are available once you have been accepted into the program.

Due to a high number in applications, this is the second group will be running in 2024:

This will be an accepting, non-judgmental group dedicated to building the emotional resilience of parents caring for Autistic children and adolescents (ages 0-19). Participation in this group will teach skills to help you recharge your emotional and physical reservoir, cope with stress effectively, improve your caregiving relationship and build associated skills in your child.

Attend this program to learn how to:

  • Activate your soothing system and regulate feelings of threat, worry and self-criticism.
  • Recognize your stress patterns and respond more skillfully to situations involving yourself and those you care for.
  • Attend to the needs of those you care for with kindness, patience, and wisdom.
  • Increase the emotional strength, well being and problem-solving abilities of those you care for.
  • Create healthier and more productive relationships between family members.
  • Learn how to self-regulate and model adaptive responses to stress, which may translate to better co-regulation with your child during difficult times.

An Opportunity to Engage in Research

This is the fourth time that ACT has sponsored this program in collaboration with researchers at the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Lab at Simon Fraser University. The results from the programs held over the past two years showed positive results, including significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, parental mental health, family quality of life, parental connections with children and skills to cope with stress.

This is an opportunity for participants to expand this research and create more informative outcomes. Applicants will be asked to complete questionnaires both pre and post program. All responses will be coded, and participant identities will remain anonymous. Neither ACT staff nor the group facilitators will have access to individual participant data.

Compassion in Parenting is a 11-week course that combines empirically based practices from Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), along with research that supports caregiver and family wellbeing. 

This program has been adapted specifically for caregivers of children with Autism, and participants in this group will have the opportunity to connect with other parents facing similar parenting experiences.  

This is a skill development program that requires active engagement and participation. In order to fully benefit, participants will be expected to be free of childcare or work obligations during the 90-minute sessions and will have access to a learning lab to further their skill development.  

For those who devote their lives to caring for children with significant needs, this is an opportunity to dedicate some time to important self care, learning how to treat oneself with kindness, and soothe any ragged emotions during difficult times. Participants will learn self-compassion practices that can help them combat compassion fatigue. The stress reduction component will teach them how to identify reactive patterns and respond to their own needs and the needs of those they care for more effectively. Caregivers will learn tools to help them manage stress, model compassion and kindness, and listen deeply to better support the needs of their children and family.

Comments from Past Participants:

  • “This program has been an amazing way to connect with my kiddos. It’s all around been an opportunity that allows me to feel something for me again, so I can reflect calmness and be present for my children again. I am very grateful”.
  • “This course has really helped me to stop feeling guilty. I learned how important it is to look after ourselves so we can be strong and present for our children.”
  • “I often compare myself and my children with others and I feel like a failure. Not in this class. I’ve learned to be aware of our own, and our kids own, unique beauty and worth.”
  • “This program has been life-changing. My husband says he has been noticing how much different I am in how I can cope with daily stressors.”

Georgina Robinson PhD

Dr. Robinson has a doctoral degree in educational and counselling psychology from the University of British Columbia. Georgina brings over 25 years of experience working with children, families, and schools with particular focus on supporting those with ASD and complex needs. She considers her greatest learning being her experience raising her own children including a son with ASD.  Georgina is passionate about supporting caregivers, those who provide support to others and are at risk for compassion fatigue.

Dr. Robinson is a certified School Psychologist, trained teacher of Mindful Self Compassion and Making Friends with Yourself, with additional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy. Georgina is grateful to have received training from international leaders in Mindfulness Based Interventions including Susan Woods, Mark Williams, Rebecca Crane, Christopher Germer, Kristen Neff and Lorraine Hobbs.

“I have experienced through my own personal practice how mindfulness enhances my ability to develop insight into my own patterns of thoughts, emotions and actions, as well as the recognition of the associated bodily sensations I was not aware of previously. MSC added the awareness of the huge role my self-critic played, contributing to anxiety, and how nourishing it is to allow myself to receive kindness and compassion which I previously thought was only appropriate to provide to others. I am eager to share the power of Mindfulness interventions with those who deserve to benefit from this gift of resiliency.”   

To learn more about this program, please contact Georgina at [email protected]

Zoey Ryan BSc.

Zoey is a Health Educator and Professional Certified Coach (Life, Leadership and Organizational Development) who has worked in health care and health care management for over 30 years.

She started her career as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (BCDNA Registrant 1980 – 2003) and most recently combined her coach training and health background to work as the Program Manager for a Community based health program for families. During this time, understanding the positive outcomes of a mind/body approach to stress management and health, Zoey completed Hatha and Pre-Natal Yoga teacher training prior to taking the “Mindful Self Compassion” program herself. Finding great benefit from the program, Zoey continued on with the three year program to become a ‘Trained Teacher with the Center for Mindful Self Compassion’.

Wednesdays from April 3 to June 12, 2024
6:30pm – 8:00pm Pacific Time

Dr. Robinson will invite applicants who have been accepted to register for the course after Thursday, November 30, 2023.

This program has a $500 registration fee, ACT has a limited number of partial bursaries up to $200. If you require a bursary to support your registration, please indicate so on the application form.

The use of Autism Funding can be used to cover the cost of registration under the training category. 

Autism Funding

Do not submit an AFU request until you have been notified on November 30, 2023 of your acceptance into the program.

If you wish to use your child’s Autism Funding (BC only) to pay for your registration, ACT can invoice the Autism Funding Branch directly. If you are paying in advance to be reimbursed, you must contact the Autism Funding Branch for approval first.

For information on how to register with your Autism Funding, visit Workshop Registration Using Autism Funding.

For more information regarding program costs please contact [email protected].

ACT Events

Payment Details

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It’s the Most Anxious Time of the Year: Autism, Anxiety and the Holidays

Presented by Elsbeth Dodman

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone— particularly members of the neurodiverse community. Elsbeth Dodman pulls from her personal experiences to provide you with vital tools for the holiday season.

In this video you will learn about:

  • Elsbeth’s lived & personal experiences, and why the holidays can be overwhelming for many.
  • Toolkits and techniques for Autistic individuals to manage stressors that can arise any time, and especially during the holidays.
  • Techniques for families, professionals and community members, to support Autistic individuals during stressful times.

About the Presenter

Elsbeth Dodman is an Autistic woman living in London, Ontario with her family and 2 cats. She has an Honors BA in Fine Art History and Anthropology from the University of Toronto and a post graduate certificate in Autism Behavioral Science from Fanshawe College. Elsbeth has worked with AIDE Canada and the Ontario Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, and has been giving public presentations on Autism since she was 18. 

Your donations support free videos

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone— particularly members of the neurodiverse community. This free video is supported by donations from our supporters.

Your donation means we can empower the Autistic community with vital knowledge, in new ways such as through “ACT Chats”—our free series of informational events, videos, content, and resources.

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Autism, Sexual Health, and Safety: Empowering Community

Registration for this event is now closed.

Autism, Sexual Health, and Safety: Empowering Community

Presented by Amy Gravino, Landa Fox, and Jessica Cauchi

Wednesday, November 8 & Thursday, November 9, 2023

Vancouver, BC & Web Streaming Live

Recording available for two weeks after the conference for all registrants.

Special Rates for Public and Independent School Staff – Save $125 with this offer from POPARD. View details.

ACT Bursary Applications have now closed for this event.

Apply by completing ACT’s Bursary Form before October 30, 2023. If you identify as Indigenous, or work for an Indigenous organization, complete our Bursary Form for Indigenous Communities. 

Accessible sexual health education is an essential part of learning. In this two-day workshop, sexual health educators will present on educational approaches and resources to support age-appropriate, accessible sexual health education for autistic individuals.

In this workshop, participants will learn about:

  • The safety risks posed by a lack of information and empowerment, and the corresponding importance of accessible sexual health education.
  • Developmental norms for sexual behaviors and knowledge, including how to adapt lessons for different ages and goals.
  • Identification of knowledge and skills that may need to be explicitly taught to autistic learners, including consent, body autonomy, and privacy.
  • Common barriers faced by parents, teachers, and support staff, including tips for increasing comfort with sexual health and safety topics.
  • Approaches for assessment and treatment of contextually inappropriate sexual behaviors. 
  • Personal insights and lessons learned from lived experience as an autistic woman.

Amy Gravino, MA, Certified Autism Specialist

Amy Gravino, MA, is an autism sexuality advocate and Relationship Coach in the Center for Adult Autism Services at Rutgers University. She is also the President of A.S.C.O.T Consulting, which offers autism consulting, college coaching, and mentoring services for organizations, schools, individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. Amy is an international speaker who has given TED talks, spoken twice at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day, and presented worldwide to audiences on a variety of topics related to autism, with a dedicated special focus and research on the subject of autism and sexuality.

Ms. Gravino obtained her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University in 2010 and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Yes She Can, Inc. and the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City, as well as the Scientific Advisory Board of Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK). She is an award-winning writer who has co-authored a chapter on autism and sexuality in the Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and her work has been featured in Spectrum, the leading online news source for autism research, and other outlets. Visit www.amygravino.com to learn more.

Landa Fox, MA, BCBA, Certified Sexual Health Educator

Landa Fox is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Certified Sexual Health Educator living and working in lək̓ʷəŋən Territory (Victoria, British Columbia). She has worked in the field of autism and disability support since 2003. Currently, her work focuses on sexual health, relationship, and safety education for autistic and other neurodivergent people. She also teaches sexual health education in schools around Victoria.

Her work often centers around creating and modifying existing sexual health and relationship education to be meaningful, accessible, and inclusive. She also works to create behavior support plans to address contextually inappropriate sexual behavior. Her work is client-centered, values-led, rights-based, and grounded in harm reduction principles.

She also trains caregivers, teachers, staff, and communities about sexual health development and inclusive sex education. Her special interests within the area of sexual health education include how to promote a culture of consent and body autonomy for autistic children and youth; developing affirming and rights-based sex education; and advocating for access to sexuality and sexual health for everyone. Visit www.positiveconnections.ca to learn more.

Jessica Cauchi, PhD, BCBA-D, CPBA-AP

Dr. Cauchi is a behavior analyst that has worked with people on the autism spectrum for over 20 years. She resides in Ontario, Canada. Jessica received her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Endicott College and is a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Certified Progressive Behavior Analyst – Autism Professional. Dr. Cauchi is interested in research and clinical practice in curriculum development and effective teaching practices in sexuality skills for persons on the autism spectrum, meaningful programming, rapport and assent, and progressive ABA. She has published work in these areas, as well as presented on these topics across Canada and internationally.

For in-person audience: Coffee and light snacks will be provided at registration and morning breaks.

Please bring/buy your own lunch.

Day 1: Wednesday, November 8

8:15 am – 9:00 am
(In-person Only) Registration

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Session 1 – Amy Gravino

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break

10:15 am – 11:15 am
Session 2 – Jessica Cauchi

11:15 am – 11:20 am
Short Break

11:20 am – 12:20 pm
Session 3 – Jessica Cauchi

12:20 pm – 1:20 pm
Lunch Break

1:20 pm – 2:20 pm
Session 4 – Landa Fox

2:20 pm – 2:25 pm
Short Break

2:25 pm – 3:25 pm
Session 5 – Panel Discussion (Amy, Landa, and Jessica)

Day 2: Thursday, November 9

8:15 am – 9:00 am
(In-person Only) Registration

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Session 1 – Amy Gravino

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break

10:15 am – 11:15 am
Session 2 – Landa Fox

11:15 am – 11:20 pm
Short Break

11:20 pm – 12:20 pm
Session 3 – Q & A (Amy and Landa)

12:20 pm – 1:20 pm
Lunch Break

1:20 pm – 2:20 pm
Session 4 – Landa Fox

Level: Introductory.

Focus: Educational approaches and resources to support age-appropriate, accessible sexual health education for autistic individuals.

For: Autistic youth and adults, family members, professionals.

Autism Specific?: Yes. 

Day 1: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 9:00 am to 3:25 pm Pacific Time

Agenda

  • Session 1: 9:00 am – 10:00am: Lived Experience Part 1 (Amy Gravino)
  • Session 2: 10:15 am – 11:15 pm: Safety and Skills (Jessica Cauchi)
  • Session 3: 11:20 am – 12:20 pm: The Behavior of Sexuality (Jessica Cauchi)
  • Session 4: 1:20 pm – 2:20 pm: Accessible Sexual Health and Safety Education (Landa Fox)
  • Session 5: 2:25 pm – 3:25 pm: Panel Discussion (Amy, Landa and Jessica)

Day 2: Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 9:00 am to 2:20 pm Pacific Time

Agenda

  • Session 1: 9:00 am – 10:00am: Lived Experience Part 2 (Amy Gravino)
  • Session 2: 10:15 am – 11:15 pm: Assessing and Addressing Contextually Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour (Landa Fox)
  • Session 3: 11:20 am – 12:20 pm: Q & A (Amy and Landa)
  • Session 4: 1:20 pm – 2:20 pm: I want to, but where do I start? (Landa Fox)

Professionals

Early Bird Rate until October 12, 2023: $275 

Regular rate starting October 13, 2023: $325

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students

Early Bird Rate until October 12, 2023: $225 

Regular rate starting October 13, 2023: $275

*Last day to register is Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Group Discounts

Registering three or more attendees at a time? Receive a 10% discount!

Educators Rate 

Special rates for British Columbia educators. View details here. 

Early Bird: $150; Regular Rate: $200 

Bursaries

ACT wants to ensure equitable access to all of our events. Bursaries are available where registration cost is a barrier. Full bursaries are available for Indigenous people/people who work at organizations that support Indigenous people. You are encouraged to apply for bursaries as soon as possible as funds are limited. 

Apply by completing ACT’s Bursary Form before October 30, 2023. If you identify as Indigenous, or work for an Indigenous organization, complete our Bursary Form for Indigenous Communities. 

Donate to our bursary fund.

Autism Funding

If you wish to use your child’s Autism Funding to pay for your registration, ACT can invoice the Autism Funding Branch directly. If you are paying in advance to be reimbursed, you must contact the Autism Funding Branch for approval first.

For information on how to register with your Autism Funding, visit Workshop Registration Using Autism Funding.

Click to view full map

Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre  
Fletcher Theater Room (Room 1900)
515 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC  

Click to view full map 

This venue is readily accessible by public transit. Visit Translink.ca for directions and schedules for the West Coast Express, SkyTrain, SeaBus and bus routes. Please note that parking in downtown Vancouver is costly, but there are several parkades nearby.  

Please note ACT cannot accept responsibility for any expenses incurred by the participant from charges that involve travel, accommodations, or other costs related to attending an ACT event. These are the sole responsibility of the participant as well as all risks associated with non-refundable, non-changeable purchases. ACT strongly recommends that participants purchase cancellation insurance for travel, etc. where possible.  

ACT has negotiated preferred rates at four downtown Vancouver hotels near SFU Harbour Centre. Please visit this page for hotel details including links to directions.

Select a registration option:

Last day to register is November 2, 2023

Please visit Bursaries for details on ACT’s bursary program.

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students – $275: Add to cart

Professionals – $325: Add to cart

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students – $275: Add to cart

Professionals – $325: Add to cart

ACT Events

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A Compassionate and Collaborative Approach for Improving Relationships and Behavior with Greg Hanley

Registration has now closed for this event

A Compassionate and Collaborative Approach for Improving Relationships and Behavior with Greg Hanley

This event consists of two training components: an in-person workshop and a follow-up webinar. 

Presented by Gregory Hanley, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA

In-person Dates: Thursday, October 19, Friday, October 20 & Saturday, October 21, 2023 

Location: Vancouver, BC 

Webinar: Friday, February 16, 2024 

Sponsored by POPARD & BC-ABA

British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis logo

Join Gregory Hanley, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA for a three-day workshop exploring a compassionate and collaborative and trauma-assumed version of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for improving relationships and behavior. Upon completion of the three-day workshop, join a community of practitioners to support each other through the process, and attend the Treatment Extension: Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) Generalization & Maintenance webinar.

Suitable for those familiar with the principles of behavior analysis. Including Board Certified Behavior Analysts and related service providers, educators and team members (e.g., parents/guardians, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists).

Participants should plan to attend all three days for the full training, as well as the virtual maintenance.

ACT is committed to ensuring equitable access for all events, providing CART captioning as well as ASL interpretation whenever possible.

Select a registration option:

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $375

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $425

Add to cart

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $450

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $500

Add to cart

CEU Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $520 

CEU Late Rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $570

Add to cart

Add-on item only for Professionals who didn’t previously register in the “Professional with CEUs” category and would like to receive CEUs for this event. $70

Add to cart

Last day to register is October 12, 2023

Please visit Bursaries for details on ACT’s bursary program.

Event Details

Today’s ABA: A Compassionate and Collaborative Approach for Improving Relationships and Behavior  

Through lecture, interactive discussion, and application exercises, the latest iteration of the practical functional assessment process will be conveyed. The procedures for maximizing the safety, televisibility, and shared rapport of the process will be emphasized. The effective and parent-validated treatment process will then be described. Teaching contextually appropriate behavior following the shaping of communication and toleration repertoires will be described in detail. The relevance of several choice models for further minimizing risks and expanding the practitioner’s scope of practice will also be reviewed. 

Objectives 

  1. An attendee will be able to defend the practice of relying on synthesized reinforcement contingencies when functionally analyzing problem behavior and articulate the advantages of functional control over functional classification.
  2. An attendee will be able to derive the suspected response class, establishing operations, and synthesized reinforcers from interview results. 
  3. An attendee will be able to describe the tactics for improving the safety, efficiency, and televisibility of the functional analysis. 
  4. An attendee will learn how to design the initial context in which the learner is happy, relaxed, and engaged.  
  5. An attendee will learn how to empower clients in this same context while preventing problem behavior from escalating when challenging situations are introduced.  
  6. An attendee will learn how to identify the components of priority skill sets (branches) for an individual learner.  
  7. An attendee will learn how to collect data during the practical functional assessment. 

Objectives 

  1. An attendee will be able to describe how to respond to problem behaviors that may resurge during the skill-based treatment process.
  2. An attendee will be able to describe how to quickly and safely develop replacement skills within an open-door model that obviates the use of physical management and minimizes the possibility of escalated problem behavior. 
  3. An attendee will be able to describe the generally applicable process for teaching contextually appropriate behavior following the shaping of communication and toleration repertoires. 
  4. An attendee will be able to describe how to respond to problem behaviors were they to resurge during the skill-based treatment process. 
  5. An attendee will be able to describe different choice models in which the process may be conducted to further minimize escalated forms of problem behavior during the therapeutic process. 
  6. An attendee will learn how to identify and develop communication and toleration repertoires for their learner. 
  7. An attendee will learn how to shape contextually appropriate chains of behaviors comprised of relinquishing, transitioning, starting, varying, enduring, and persisting for their learner.  
  8. An attendee will learn how to collect data, monitor progress, and make values-based and performance-based decisions during the skill-based treatment process. 

Objectives 

  1. An attendee will be able to describe the 7 elements of the Universal Protocol. 
  2. An attendee will be able to describe how to support implementation of a Universal Protocol. 
  3. An attendee will be able to describe measures used to evaluate the effects of the Universal Protocol on a client/staff-specific and organizational scale. 

Treatment Extension: SBT Generalization & Maintenance Design (2 hours) with Q & A (2 hours) 

Live webinar: February 16, 2024 

Presented by Gregory Hanley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA 

Join Gregory Hanley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA for a four-hour webinar providing an overview of a compassionate and collaborative Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach for improving relationships and behavior.   

This design session is intended for Levels 3 and 4 credentialed individuals and will largely focus on the refining the end goals of treatment for individual clients, prioritizing and sequencing treatment extension steps, and planning for additional skills that may need to be taught in Skill-Based Treatment (SBT). Teams acknowledge that to fully benefit from this design session, they must have completed the SBT Extension: Generalization and Maintenance on-demand course, implemented Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and SBT up to Contextually Appropriate Behavior (CAB) 6, & completed the SBT Generalization workbook for one client. 

Dr. Hanley has been applying the principles of learning to improve socially important behaviors of children and adults with and without disabilities for 30 years. He started in direct care and management roles in Intermediate Care Facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (1990-1994), worked on the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (1994-1997), was degreed at the University of Florida (2001), was tenured at the University of Kansas (2006), and developed and directed the Behavior Analysis Doctoral Program and Life Skills Clinic at Western New England University (WNEU; 2007-2019). 

Dr. Hanley is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Div. 25), past Associate Editor of The Behavior Analyst, and past Editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice and of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He has published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters primarily focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of problem behavior and sleep problems, teaching strategies for developing life skills, and empirically-derived values for practitioners. 

Dr. Hanley currently advises doctoral candidates as a Research Professor at Western New England University, and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Hanley  leads FTF Behavioral Consulting, the international training and consulting group based in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Day 1 & 2: Thursday, October 19 & Friday, October 20

8:15 am – 9:00 am
(In-person Only) Registration

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Session 1

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break

10:15 am – 11:15 am
Session 2

11:15 am – 11:20 am
Break

11:20 am – 12:20 pm
Session 3

12:20 pm – 1:40 pm
Lunch break

1:40 pm – 2:40 pm
Session 4

2:40 pm – 2:45 pm
Break

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Session 5

Day 3: Saturday, October 21

8:45 am – 9:30 am
(In-person Only) Registration

9:30 am – 10:30 am
Session 1

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Morning Break

10:45 am – 11:45 am
Session 2

11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Morning Break 2

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Session 3

Refreshments will be served in morning and afternoon breaks. Please bring / buy your own lunch.

Professionals

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $450

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $500

Professionals with CEUs

CEU Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $520 

CEU Late Rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $570 

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $375

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $425

*Last day to register is Thursday, October 12, 2023 

Group Discounts

Registering three or more attendees at a time? Receive a 10% discount! Please note that CEUs are not discounted.

Bursaries

ACT wants to ensure equitable access to all of our events. Bursaries are available where registration cost is a barrier. Full bursaries are available for Indigenous people/people who work at organizations that support Indigenous people. You are encouraged to apply for bursaries as soon as possible as funds are limited. 

Apply by completing ACT’s Bursary Form before Tuesday, October 10, 2023. If you identify as Indigenous, or work for an Indigenous organization, complete our Bursary Form for Indigenous Community. 

(Please note that these bursaries are not available for the cost of CEU’s for BCBA’s as these are being provided by BC-ABA who are sponsoring this event.)

Donate to our bursary fund.

Autism Funding

If you wish to use your child’s Autism Funding to pay for your registration, ACT can invoice the Autism Funding Branch directly. If you are paying in advance to be reimbursed, you must contact the Autism Funding Branch for approval first.

For information on how to register with your Autism Funding, visit Workshop Registration Using Autism Funding.

Click to view full map

Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre  
Fletcher Theater Room, Room 1900
(Spill Over Room – Labatt Hall, Room 1700)  
515 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC  

Click to view full map 

This venue is readily accessible by public transit. Visit Translink.ca for directions and schedules for the West Coast Express, SkyTrain, SeaBus and bus routes. Please note that parking in downtown Vancouver is costly, but there are several parkades nearby.  

Please note ACT cannot accept responsibility for any expenses incurred by the participant from charges that involve travel, accommodations, or other costs related to attending an ACT event. These are the sole responsibility of the participant as well as all risks associated with non-refundable, non-changeable purchases. ACT strongly recommends that participants purchase cancellation insurance for travel, etc. where possible.  

ACT has negotiated preferred rates at four downtown Vancouver hotels near SFU Harbour Centre. Please visit this page for hotel details including links to directions.

Total 14 CEUs: 10 General, 2 Ethics, 2 Supervision 

Credentialing: Upon completion of the 3 day workshop, some consultees may qualify for credentials up to Level 2 (i.e., education and application). As a credentialed professional, you will: 

  1. Receive independent verification of training and experience (consistent with requirements of Code 1.05; Behavior Analyst Certification Board®, 2020) 
  2. Obtain a certificate and a wallet card verifying the completion of requirements for your credentialed level 
  3. Be featured on FTF’s Credentialing Directory which will allow potential clients to connect with you 

Please note: CEU’s for this event are only available for BCBAs.

Registration has now closed for this event

Select a registration option:

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $375

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $425

Add to cart

Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $450

Late rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $500

Add to cart

CEU Regular Rate until Oct 5, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $520 

CEU Late Rate starting Oct 6, 2023: $70 (i.e., 5 Per Unit) for BCBAs = $570

Add to cart

Add-on item only for BCBAs who didn’t previously register in the “Professional with CEUs” category and would like to receive CEUs for this event. $70

Add to cart

Last day to register is October 12, 2023

Please visit Bursaries for details on ACT’s bursary program.

ACT Events

Payment Details

 

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