Tag Archives: ACT Event

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

Registration for this event has now closed.

Live Webinar

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

September 29, 2023
9:30 am to 11:30 am Pacific Time

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

Sponsored by POPARD & BC-ABA

British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis logo
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Rate for all registrants: $100

Last day to register is September 25, 2023

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

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

This webinar is suitable for wide audiences including family members, school and district-based staff, BCBAs, Speech-Language Pathologists and related service providers, and anyone else who wants to gain knowledge regarding this trauma-assumed approach. 

If you are also interested in attending a more in-depth, three-day workshop of this event, please visit A Compassionate and Collaborative Approach for Improving Relationship and Behavior. 

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

A contemporary and trauma-assumed version of applied behavior analysis for consideration when working with autistic persons or those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, especially when problem behavior is probable, will be described. The values at the forefront of this compassionate and collaborative ABA approach will be emphasized along with the sequence of steps in therapeutic processes aimed at improving relationships en route to addressing problems of behavior. 

Objectives 

  1. The attendee will be able to describe the three values associated with Today’s ABA. 
  1. The attendee will be able to describe the most important understandings competencies for people who provide direct support to children, adolescents, or adults with autism and/or developmental and intellectual disabilities. 

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, 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.

Rate for all registrants: $100

*Last day to register is September 25, 2023

Group Discounts

Registering 3 or more attendees at a time? Receive a 10% discount!

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 Thursday, September 21, 2023. If you identify as Indigenous, or work for an Indigenous organization, complete our Bursary Form for Indigenous Community. 

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.

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Rate for all registrants: $100

Last day to register is September 25, 2023

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

ACT Events

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ACT Chats: Supporting Neurodiverse Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Supporting Neurodiverse Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

10am-Noon Pacific time

Vancouver, BC & Web Streaming Live

Presented by Michelle Schmidt, PhD

ACT Chats: Free learning series

Join Michelle Schmidt for a free “ACT Chats” about supports available to neurodiverse youth as they transition to adulthood in British Columbia.

“ACT Chats” is a free series of informational events, content and resources presented by ACT.

This ACT Chats topic was determined by feedback provided by the ACT Community.

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

Select a registration option:

Attend In-Person

Professionals:
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Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students:
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Watch Live Web Stream

Professionals:
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Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students:
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Event Details

For a young neurodiverse person, moving to adulthood can seem like a challenge. If you’re the parent, guardian, or caregiver, helping your child move towards adulthood can seem just as challenging. 

This session will provide information and resources regarding assessment and eligibility and how these relate to accessing Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD) Navigators as well as adult services including Community Living BC (CLBC) and Adult Day Services, for example. Also learn about eligibility and access in relation to Persons with Disabilities benefits, including working while collecting disability benefits.

Michelle Schmidt, PhD, is the Executive Director of ACT – Autism Community Training. Prior to joining ACT in 2022, Michelle Schmidt was involved in public education in British Columbia, as an educator, school psychologist, and administrator. Most recently, Michelle served as Director of Instruction in the Surrey School District, where she was responsible for inclusive education and supports for students with diverse abilities.

Tuesday, May 30

9:30 am – 10:00 am
Registration (for In-Person attendees)

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Supporting neurodiverse youth transitioning to adulthood

There will be a 5-minute break halfway through the session.

All times are Pacific Time Zone.

Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre 
Room 2270 (Sauder Industries Policy Room)
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. 

Select a registration option:

Attend In-Person

Professionals:
Add to cart
Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students:
Add to cart

Watch Live Web Stream

Professionals:
Add to cart
Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students:
Add to cart

Last day to register is May 28, 2023

ACT Events

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Two Days with Sarah Ward: Executive Functioning Across the Lifespan

Registration is now closed for this event. View Upcoming ACT Events here.

Two Days with Sarah Ward: Executive Functioning Across the Lifespan

Thursday, August 17 & Friday, August 18, 2023

Vancouver, BC & Web Streaming Live to anywhere in Canada

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

Presented by Sarah Ward M.S., CCC-SLP

Sarah Ward
Sponsored by the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism & Related Disorders
Sponsored by POPARD

Join Sarah Ward M.S., CCC-SLP for a two-day workshop exploring strategies to develop independent executive function skills across the lifespan. You, your students, children, youth and clients can make significant improvements in organization, planning, and time management skills for example–and be more successful, efficient, and accomplished at school, work, or home.

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

Special rates for British Columbia educators. View details here.

Select a registration option:

Attend In-Person

Professionals:

Add to cart

Family Members, Autistic Adults, Para-Professionals & Students:

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Watch Live Web Stream

Professionals: Add to cart

Family Members, Autistic Adults, Para-Professionals & Students: Add to cart

Event Details

Executive function skills enable us all to follow directions, organize tasks, and attend to and manage time. For children and youth, this helps them complete homework, follow routines at home and school, and organize school and personal materials.

As important as these skills are for children and youth, executive function skills continue to develop well into the adult years. In fact, the area of the brain responsible for executive function skills is the last part of the brain to mature and so executive function skills typically are not fully developed until the mid 20s!

Get ready to supercharge your skills and see your students, children/youth, and or clients–and even yourselves, achieve goals like never before. You’ll walk away with dozens of practical and effective approaches to develop executive function skills across the lifespan. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your teaching and learning to the next level and walk away with an unbeatable toolbox of strategies and resources!

Sarah Ward has 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and treatment of executive dysfunction. Ms. Ward holds a faculty appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. She is an internationally recognized expert on executive function and presents seminars and workshops on the programs and strategies she has developed with the Co- Director of Cognitive Connections, Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). She has presented to and consulted with over 1200 public and private schools in Massachusetts and across the United States and Canada.

Visit Sarah Ward’s website, Cognitive Connections, for more information about Executive Functioning – you will find many free resources.

Day 1: Thursday, August 17

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

9:00 am – 10:15 am
Session 1

10:15 am – 10:30 am
Morning Break

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Session 2

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Session 3

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Afternoon Break

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Session 4

Day 2: Friday, August 18

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

9:00 am – 10:15 am
Session 1

10:15 am – 10:30 am
Morning Break

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Session 2

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch Break

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Session 3

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Afternoon Break

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Session 4

Professionals

Early Bird Rate until May 29, 2023: $275

Regular rate starting May 30, 2023: $325

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students

Early Bird Rate until May 29, 2023: $225

Regular rate starting May 30, 2023: $275

*Last day to register is August 14, 2023

Group Discounts

Registering 3 or more attendees at a time? Receive a 10% discount!

Educators Rate

Special rates for British Columbia educators. View details here.

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 August 11, 2023. If you identify as Indigenous, or work for an Indigenous organization, complete our Bursary Form for Indigenous Community.

Applications for bursaries for this event has now closed.

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 
The Segal Conference Rooms 
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. 

Select a registration option:

Professionals: Add to cart

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students: Add to cart

Professionals: Add to cart

Family Members, Autistic Adults & Students: Add to cart

Last day to register is August 14, 2023

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

ACT Events

Payment Details

Navigating the Education System

Navigating the Education System

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Michelle Schmidt, PhD

Join Michelle Schmidt for a free “ACT Chats” about how to effectively support inclusion in British Columbian Schools.

“ACT Chats” is a free new series of informational events, content and resources presented by ACT.

With over 30 years of experience in the education system, Michelle will provide insight into the relationship between BC Schools and the human rights legislation, as well as Ministry of Education and Childcare policies and practices, including inclusive education designations and ministry compliance.

This two-hour chat will go over what parents and community partners need to know about their role in schools, including participation in school-based team meetings, referrals for support services, the IEP process including meaningful consultation, the role of the case manager and integrated case management meetings.

Michelle will also review rights to full-time attendance, transportation considerations and participation on field trips. Finally, Michelle will close by discussing equity and inclusion during the time of COVID.

Attend in-person at SFU Vancouver, or stream live online from anywhere.

Last day to register is Sunday, April 2, 2023

Attend In-Person

Join us at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Campus

  • Opportunity to engage and reconnect in-person
  • Network with other community members
View Details & Registration

Web Stream Live

Watch live from your home or office anywhere in the world

  • High quality live stream provided by our professional team
  • Participate and submit questions through online chat
View Details & Registration

Participant Comments

Comments from past workshops with Dori Zener:

This is the first time I’ve felt truly seen by a professional. Thank you so much for the clear and well-formulated way you explain these things that I’ve never been able to put words to.

Autistic woman

Very relevant topic with a lot of evidence-based info. I appreciated the amount of practical info and strategies presented.

Professional

The compassion, commitment & knowledge of the presenter is absolutely amazing!

Parent

ACT’s Focus on Research Conference 2023 

ACT’s Focus on Research Conference 2023 

Sensory Features and Anxiety in Autism: Implications for families and practitioners

Keynote presentations by Connor Kerns, PhD and Tiffany Woynaroski, PhD, CCC-SLP. Research presentations by Nichole Scheerer, PhD, Patrick Dwyer, PhD (c), Elina Birmingham, PhD & Siamak Arzanpour, PhD. Panel presentations moderated by Grace Iarocci, PhD, and Michelle Schmidt, PhD.

Thursday & Friday, April 27 & 28, 2023

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

The goal of this conference is to improve understanding and support for autistic people who experience anxiety and sensory differences to build collaboration between researchers, clinicians, autistic individuals and their families.

See “Event Details” on the Registration pages for more detail, from learning outcomes to schedules and more.

Last day to register is Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Attend In-Person

Join us at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Campus

  • Opportunity to engage and reconnect in-person
  • Network with other community members
View Details & Registration

Group discount

  • Receive a 10% discount when registering 3 or more attendees at the same time.

Web Stream Live

Watch live from your home or office anywhere in the world

  • High quality live stream provided by our professional team
  • Participate and submit questions through online chat
View Details & Registration

Group discount

  • Receive a 10% discount when registering 3 or more attendees at the same time.

Participant Comments

Comments from past workshops with Dori Zener:

This is the first time I’ve felt truly seen by a professional. Thank you so much for the clear and well-formulated way you explain these things that I’ve never been able to put words to.

Autistic woman

Very relevant topic with a lot of evidence-based info. I appreciated the amount of practical info and strategies presented.

Professional

The compassion, commitment & knowledge of the presenter is absolutely amazing!

Parent