Asperger's Workshops by Dr. Ortiz
Single Day Workshop
Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Related Conditions in Children & Adolescents

John M. Ortiz, Ph.D.

This workshop will discuss diagnostic, epidemiological, defining and clinical features of Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum disorders and related conditions. Participants will be introduced to various ways of identifying and assessing children and adolescents falling within the Autism spectrum and receive an overview of many of the primary challenges encountered by these populations. A number of the most effective techniques and strategies for serving these children and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach will be discussed. Various approaches designed specifically for these populations will be introduced. Didactic lecture, experiential small and large group activities, and multimedia presentations will be combined to assist all participants in gaining a firm grasp on the needs of, and ways of serving, this population. Primary emphasis will be on Asperger and high functioning autism and on understanding the real world perspective from the vantage point of these populations.

Registration/Check-In

8:20 Introductory Remarks

8:30 Autism Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD):

An Overview

Behavioral Definitions

Autistic Disorder
Rett's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Pervasive Development Disorder NOS

Asperger's Syndrome (AS)

Executive Function
Behavioral Definition
Defining Characteristics
Diagnosis: DSM-IV-TR Criteria
Epidemiology
Causes; Assessment; Identification Strategies
CaAssessment

10:00 (time approximate) Break

10:15 Subcategories of Related Conditions: Review and Comparison

High Functioning Autism (HF-A)
Nonverbal Learning Disorder
Hyperlexia
Asperger's Syndrome vs. ADHD
Asperger's Syndrome vs. Gifted
Asperger's Syndrome vs. Out-of-Sync Children    (Sensory Integration Dysfunction)

11:45 Lunch (on your own)

VIDEO Presentation: Autism Spectrum Disorders
(to be scheduled after lunch, time permitting)

12:45 AS & Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Strengths and Challenges

Theory of Mind
Hidden Curriculums
Increasing Self-esteem

Behavioral Management Strategies: An Overview of Effective Interventions

Power Card Strategies: An Introduction
Social Stories: An Introduction
Comic Strip Conversations: An Introduction
Disruptive Behaviors: Addressing Tantrums, Rage
    & Meltdowns
Teaching Stress Reduction Skills: Pulse
    Entrainment Technique

2:15 (time approximate) Break

2:30 Coordinating Support Systems: Integrating Community Services

Public Law 94-142 and the 504 Plan
Collaboration: Working with Parents, Caregivers and Other Professionals

3:45 Questions & Answers - Workshop Evaluations

4:00 Adjournment

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program participants will have the knowledge required to:

Objective #1: Recognize and differentiate between Asperger's Syndrome and the other Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism, Rett's, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PDD)

Objective #2: Describe the similarities and distinctions between Asperger's Syndrome and related conditions

Objective #3: Discuss three Primary Intervention Strategies specifically designed for Asperger's Syndrome populations

Objective #4: Discuss various intervention strategies used to effectively prevent, or minimize, the occurrence of disruptive behaviors

Objective #5: More clearly appreciate the real world perspective from the vantage point of Asperger and H-F Autistic populations

Objective #6: Address Tantrums, Rage & Meltdowns

Objective #7: Utilize the Public Law 94-142 and the 504 Plan to assist Asperger and H-F Autistic populations and their families

2 &1/2 Day Workshop

Asperger's Syndrome &Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Related Conditions in Children & Adolescents

John M. Ortiz, Ph.D.

This workshop will discuss diagnostic, epidemiological, defining and clinical features of Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum disorders and related conditions. Participants will be introduced to various ways of identifying and assessing children and adolescents falling within the Autism spectrum and receive an overview of many of the primary challenges encountered by these populations. A number of the most effective techniques and strategies for serving these children and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach will be discussed. Various approaches and assessment instruments designed specifically for these populations will be introduced and participants will have the opportunity to experience their application. Didactic lecture, experiential small and large group activities, and multimedia presentations will be combined to assist all participants in gaining a firm grasp on the needs of, and ways of serving, this population. Participants will be encouraged to engage in an interactive group activity, “Exploring the Asperger Dimension”™ — designed specifically for gaining an understanding of people with Asperger's Syndrome. Creative Arts approaches for assisting Asperger and H-F Autistic populations will be presented and their application illustrated. Primary emphasis will be on Asperger and high functioning autism and on understanding the real world perspective from the vantage point of these populations.

Registration/Check-In

8:20 Introductory Remarks

Evening (3-hours):

Autism Spectrum and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD):

An Overview

Behavioral Definitions
Autistic Disorder
Rett's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Pervasive Development Disorder NOS

Asperger's Syndrome (AS)

Behavioral Definition
Defining Characteristics
Diagnosis: DSM-IV-TR Criteria
Epidemiology
Causes; Assessment; Identification Strategies

Morning Session (3 &1/2-hours)

Assessing Asperger's Syndrome

- Gilliam Asperger Rating Scale -
   Introduction and application
- Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale -
   Introduction and application
- Assessment

Subcategories of Related Conditions: Review and Comparison

High Functioning Autism (HF-A)
Nonverbal Learning Disorder
Hyperlexia
Asperger's Syndrome vs. ADHD
Asperger's Syndrome vs. Gifted
Asperger's Syndrome vs. Sensory
   Integration Dysfunction

Lunch (on your own)

Afternoon Session (3 &1/2-hours)

VIDEO Presentation: Autism Spectrum Disorders

AS & Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Strengths and Challenges

Executive Function
Time & Space Dimensions
Theory of Mind
Hidden Curriculums
Reading facial expressions:
   An Asperger Projective exercise
Increasing Self-esteem

Behavioral Management Strategies: An Overview of Effective Interventions

Power Card Strategies:
   Introduction and application
Social Stories: Introduction and application
Comic Strip Conversations and application
Disruptive Behaviors: Addressing Tantrums,
    Rage & Meltdowns
Dealing with Bullies
Teaching Stress Reduction Skills:
    Pulse Entrainment Technique

Morning Session (3 &1/2-hours)

Coordinating Support Systems: Integrating Community Services

Public Law 94-142 and the 504 Plan
Collaboration: Working with Parents, Caregivers
   and Other Professionals

“Exploring the Asperger Dimension”™
— An interactive exercise designed to understand the Asperger perspective.

Afternoon Session (3 &1/2-hours)

VIDEO Presentation # 2: Autism Spectrum Disorders

Creative Arts approaches for Asperger and H-F Autistic populations

Music and sound

- Entrainment
- Rhythmic Synchrony and Dis-synchrony
- Sound Masking
- Contextual Cueing
- Sound Awareness

Art
Jou Journaling
Drama

Questions & Answers - Workshop Evaluations

Adjournment

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program participants will have the knowledge required to:

Objective #1: Recognize and differentiate between Asperger's Syndrome and the other Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism, Rett's, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PDD)

Objective #2: Describe the similarities and distinctions between Asperger and related conditions

Objective #3: Discuss and work with three Primary Intervention Strategies specifically designed for Asperger's Syndrome populations

Objective #4: Discuss various intervention strategies used to effectively prevent, or minimize, the occurrence of innapropriate behaviors

Objective #5: Utilize a number of instruments designed specifically for assessing Asperger populations

Objective #6: More clearly appreciate the real world perspective from the vantage point of Asperger and H-F Autistic populations

Objective #7: Utilize the Public Law 94-142 and the 504 Plan to assist Asperger and H-F Autistic populations and their families

Objective #8: Implement a number of Creative Arts approaches that emphasize the strengths of Asperger and H-F Autistic populations

Objective #9: Address Tantrums, Rage & Meltdowns

Objective #10: Assist Asperger and H-F Autistic populations in dealing with bullies