ABN: 18 754 520 841

‘AUTISM PERSPECTIVES’

Making a difference across the Spectrum, from early childhood to adolescence.

AUTISM FOCUS is presenting a 2 day conference on July 25^th and 26^th at Virginia Palms International, Sangate Road Boondall (North Brisbane) for educators and therapists, support workers, families and carers and all those interested in making a difference in the lives and learning capabilities of those with Autism/Asperger Syndrome.

This conference aims to present a broad perspective on the issues associated with Autism/Asperger Syndrome and a range of interventions effective across a variety of environments. All speakers are experts in their fields with lengthy experience in working with students and clients with ASD.

Practical application of strategies is the theme, with real life situations showcased across the workshops and keynote sessions.

An opportunity to bring specific questions, problems and issues is presented on Day 2 during the GROUP SOLUTIONS Session when a panel of presenters will address issues forwarded to the organizers during the 2 days.

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SPEAKERS:

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

ANNA TULLEMANS:

Sensory Sensitivities and their impact on life and learning.

Anna Tullemans is a consultant and author in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She works closely with educators and families and presents regularly at conferences and seminars on inclusion and behavior management. Internationally she has worked in Hong Kong, Dubai, Hawaii, Brunei, New Zealand and England.

She is also the mother of a young man with Asperger Syndrome and was founding President of the Asperger Syndrome Support Network.

Her books and resources will be available at the conference.

WINNIE LAU:

Asperger Syndrome, adolescence and bullying

Winnie Lau is a psychologist highly trained in the area of ASD and Asperger Syndrome. She is skilled in dealing with conditions that often co-exist with ASD: depression, anxiety, behavioural problems and OCD. Winnie is skilled in emotional, behavioural and educational assessments, and in a variety of different therapies. Winnie can provide these services in Mandarin and Cantonese and has worked with clients from a variety of backgrounds.

Currently she is working with Dr Michelle Garnett and Professor Tony Attwood at the Minds and Hearts Clinic for clients with autism spectrum disorders

WORKSHOPS PRESENTERS:

MARY JANE BLACKMAN:

Supporting an ASD student with high needs in an academic high school and university – ethical, practical and academic considerations.

Mary Jane Blackman owns and manages Book in Hand, Australia’s premier supplier of books and resources appropriate to the support and management of ASD. Mary Jane tours Australia supporting conferences and seminars with her daughter Lucy who has Asperger Syndrome and is non – verbal but has completed university degrees and has authored books detailing her life experience.

Mary Jane’s extensive supplies will be available at the conference over the 2 days.

MARILYN PATTERSON:

Avoiding the Blow Ups – dealing with stress and anger through positive interventions at each stage of the anger continuum.

Marilyn Patterson is Co-Director of AUTISM FOCUS and a retired Head of Special Education Services with extensive experience in teaching students with ASD and mentoring and coaching their teachers and teacher aides. Her experience has included inclusive classrooms and special schools and units and her work reflects the benefits of each of these environments.

She has been a state trainer in Non-invasive Crisis Intervention and has presented at many educational conferences in the past.

Currently she presents conferences and seminars on classroom interventions and behavior management strategies as well as programs to support clients with ASD entering the workforce. She will be presenting a workshop on transition to work at the ARMS Global Autism Conference in Brisbane in August.

DR MICK O’KEEFFE:

Treatments in autism – tips for avoiding dubious therapies.

Dr Mick O’Keefe is a Developmental Paediatrician working with the Child Development Network based at the Mater Hospital and in public practice at the Child Development Program – a community based program at Keperra and Strathpine aligned with the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Dr O’Keeffe has a Masters Degree in Public Health and has specialized in disorders of childhood development learning and behavior for the past 8 years. He is currently completing his Masters of Medical Education and teaches child development to medical students and trainee paediatricians.

NATALIE SWAYN

Difficult and challenging behaviours : employing the Schoolwide Positive Support Program to create a difference.

Natalie Swayn is well known to special educators through her previous role as Statewide Education Advisor with the Disability Services Support Unit (DSSU).

She has a background in secondary and early childhood teaching and was an AVT-ASD for many years.

Her role at the DSSU focused on extreme behaviours and while there she helped develop the Statewide Positive Behaviour Support program to assist staff to gain a better understanding of the needs of individual students.

She has a Masters in Education ( Behaviour Support) and is working towards a PhD on the decision making processes of school principals in relation to suspensions and exclusions.

BRONWYN PAXTON:

Tried and true: Classroom behaviour management strategies that work.

Bronwyn Paxton has more than 15 years’ experience in special education working in mainstream and special education schools and units. She has worked with students with disabilities from infancy through to adolescence and has considerable expertise in ASD and severe and challenging behaviours. Bronwyn has extensive experience in advisory roles supporting teachers with managing challenging behavior in the classroom.

Bronwyn is currently working as HOSES at the Woody Point Early Childhood Development Program.

TERRI NESBITT-FOSTER:

ASD and the teenage years – interventions through complementary approaches and therapies.

Terri Nesbitt-Foster is a special needs teacher with experience from pre to tertiary education. She is also a Natural Medicine Specialist and co-authored the distance education course for the Australian College of Natural Medicine.

She is experienced in MYCP (Management of Young Children’s Programs) and favours a complementary approach to behavioural intervention.

Terri has also served on a Behaviour Management Team and is currently teaching at Deception Bay State High School

AUTISM PERSPECTIVES: MAKING A DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM FROM EARLY INTERVENTION TO ADOLESCENCE

July 25	Session1	Session 2
8:30 – 9:15	Registration and welcome
9:15 – 10:30	Anna Tullemans Sensory Sensitivities and their impact on life and learning Many parents and professionals are unaware of the extent with which sensory sensitivities affect people with ASD. Sensory issues influence understanding and responding to the world around, and are implicated in a decrease in abilities and an increase in undesirable behaviours, tantrums and meltdowns. This presentation will focus on understanding sensory issues and how to respond to behaviours that arise because of them Main conference room
10:30 – 11:00	Morning tea
11:00 – 12:30	Winnie Lau Asperger Syndrome, adolescence and bullying Having a strong sense of social justice, a lack of social tact and being extremely fact orientated are common characteristics of Asperger syndrome, yet are very unhelpful traits for attaining popularity with other teenagers. As a result, many adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are socially isolated and vulnerable to bullying and teasing. This workshop will focus on bullying and teasing in adolescents with Asperger Syndrome – how often it occurs, it’s psychological effects and a range of practical and effective intervention strategies for school staff, parents, support workers and therapists Main conference room
12:30 – 1:30	Lunch/ book stalls and displays
1:30 – 3:00 Workshops	Marilyn Patterson Avoiding the blow-ups: Dealing with stress and anger through positive interventions in the classroom. Understanding the cycle of increasing anxiety and tension and responding effectively at each stage Conference room 1	Mary Jane Blackman Supporting an ASD student with high needs in an academic high school and university –academic, practical and ethical considerations. This session reflects Mary Jane’s experiences as a mother supporting her daughter. Conference room 2
5:00 – 6:00	Cocktail party for all full conference participants
7:00 – 9:30	Elective Dinner – please advise attendance with registration Guest Speaker to be advised
July 26th	Session One	Session Two
9:00 – 10:30 Workshops	Dr Mick O’Keeffe Treatments in autism –tips for avoiding dubious therapies How do parents, educators and support workers sort the wheat from the chaff when faced with the bewildering array of potential treatments for autism – many of which are not backed up by evidence, are scientifically implausible and potentially dangerous? This session aims to provide a logical framework for making informed choices on treatments in autism. Some specific examples from the autism treatment ‘marketplace’ will be highlighted Conference room 1	Natalie Swyan Addressing difficult and challenging behaviours through the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support Program . Functional Behaviour Assessment as a tool to identifying and understanding student needs for schools and school communities Conference room 2
10:30 – 11:00	Morning tea/ displays and stalls
11:00 – 12:30 Workshops	Bronwyn Paxton Tried and true – classroom behaviour management strategies that work. · Why does he do that? – getting to the bottom of ‘autistic’ behaviour. · How do I manage this behaviour? – an in-depth look at the Red and Green Card behaviour management strategy · What do I need to make this work? – an overview of visual tools which can be used to support the red and green card approach · Where can I go for help? Conference room 1	Terry Nesbitt-Foster ASD and the teenage years A look at the journey through adolescence and preparing for the world beyond. How can we help teenagers to use their talents and gifts by re-framing their assets and deficits? How we as educators, parents and therapists can help, with the use of complementary approaches and therapies Conference room 2
12:30 – 1:15	Lunch
1:15 – 2:30	Panel Group Solutions Panel members address questions and situations presented by conference registrants during the duration of the conference Conference room 1
2:30 – 3:00	Farewell and thanks

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Date: July 25^th and 26^th

Venue: Virginia Palms International

Cnr Sandgate and Zillmere Rds

Boondall, (North Brisbane)

Qld 4034 Accommodation is available at the venue by private arrangement

(07) 3265 7066 Conference discount rates apply

Cost : Early Bird Discount: $365pp for full registration including GST, morning teas, lunches and cocktail party. Discount applies to registrations and payments received before July 18^th. Optional Dinner must be booked with registration @ $40pp. Partners welcome

Payments after July 18^th: $390pp.

$210pp one day registration including GST, morning tea and lunch

Payment details: Cheque to Autism Focus PO Box 41 Bribie Island 4507 or

Direct payment: ANZ BSB: 014 508 Acc No: 4940 13353

Register online : mpa95526@bigpond.net.au or by phone: (07) 3408 6661 or 0407086661

Details required as below:

Name
School or organisation
Phone contact
Email contact
Full or one day registration	Nominate day of registration
Attending conference dinner?	Yes/No Will you be bringing a guest?
Any dietary requirements?	Details

Payment: Cheque to AUTISM FOCUS, P.O Box 41, Bribie Island, Qld, 4507

Or: Direct Payment to ANZ BSB: 014 508; Acc No: 4940 13353

ABN: 18 754 520 841