Professional Development Webinars
The Thompson Center is thrilled to provide FREE virtual training opportunities for professionals working with individuals with autism.
Discover a range of topics that cater to your specific interests and needs. Registration links and session information can be found below, and we encourage you to sign up for multiple topics. Many sessions are offered more than once for your convenience.
All sessions will be conducted live via the Zoom platform. Please note that sessions will not be recorded.
If you have questions or require additional assistance, please contact Jaclyn Benigno at benignoj@health.missouri.edu.
Interested in additional training? Check out our video training library with a variety of topics including Overview of Autism, Comprehensive Evaluations, toileting, and more! We strongly suggest watching Overview of Autism before attending the webinars.
Presented by: Sean Simmons, PhD, BCBA
Audience: Anyone working with individuals with developmental disabilities
Session Description:
Token economies can be a powerful tool for motivating and reinforcing positive behavior when they’re designed and implemented effectively. In this workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of token systems, explore how to create flexible and age-appropriate models, and discover strategies for troubleshooting when programs don’t go as planned. Participants will leave with practical tools they can adapt to meet the needs of their own settings.
September 24, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Cortney Fish, PhD, BCBA, LBA
Audience: Educators, Speech Language Pathologists, Early Childhood Providers
Session Description:
This session will introduce the basic principles of behavior analysis and demonstrate how they can be applied in practical settings. Participants will develop a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of behavior, explore how environmental variables influence behavior, and learn how to use these foundational principles to support meaningful behavior change across a variety of situations.
November 10, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Ali Cooper, MEd, BCBA, LBA
Audience: Anyone working with developmental disabilities in the classroom
Session Description:
This sessions provides evidence-based strategies to manage and support individuals exhibiting challenging behavior in the classroom. Topics include understanding behavioral functions, implementing proactive and reactive behavior management strategies, utilizing reinforcement effectively, and crisis management. Attendees will gain practical tools to create a structured, inclusive, and supportive learning environment while maintaining the well-being of both students and staff.
January 27, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Cortney Fish, PhD, BCBA, LBA
Audience: Anyone working with developmental disabilities in the classroom
Session Description:
Positive relationships are the foundation for meaningful learning and successful support. This webinar will explore the importance of building rapport with students and how strong, trusting relationships can improve engagement, communication, and participation across settings. Attendees will learn practical strategies for connecting with students, identifying individual preferences and interests, and creating interactions that help students feel safe, understood, and motivated to engage.
March 9, 2027 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP
Audience: Speech-language pathologists, early intervention providers, educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, behavior analysts, and other professionals who support children using or considering AAC
Session Description:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is much more than selecting the right modality. This webinar will explore evidence-based strategies for supporting communication across home, school, and community environments. Participants will learn how to model language effectively, create motivating communication opportunities, support communication partners, and integrate AAC naturally into daily routines. Common myths about AAC will be addressed, along with practical strategies that can be implemented immediately regardless of the communication system being used.
September 23, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP
Audience: Early intervention providers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, educators, preschool staff, psychologists, developmental specialists, and other professionals working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
Session Description:
Play is one of the primary ways young children learn, communicate, and develop relationships. This webinar will review the developmental progression of play while exploring factors that influence play skills, including communication, sensory processing, motor abilities, attention, and social engagement. Participants will learn how to identify barriers to play, recognize opportunities for intervention, and use evidence-based strategies to promote meaningful play across natural environments.
October 21, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP
Audience: Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, early intervention providers, educators, preschool staff, developmental specialists, psychologists, behavior analysts, and other professionals supporting young children’s play development
Session Description:
Pretend play supports language, social communication, executive functioning, and flexible thinking, yet many children require intentional support to develop these skills. Building on foundational play concepts, this webinar will explore the progression from functional play to symbolic and imaginative play. Participants will learn evidence-based intervention strategies, scaffolding techniques, and practical activities that encourage creativity, peer interaction, and increasingly complex play routines across home, school, and therapy settings.
February 10, 2027 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP
Audience: Speech-language pathologists, educators, transition coordinators, occupational therapists, psychologists, behavior analysts, vocational rehabilitation professionals, social workers, and other professionals supporting autistic middle school, high school, and transition-aged youth
Session Description:
Preparing autistic adolescents for adulthood requires more than teaching isolated skills—it involves supporting communication, self-determination, executive functioning, social participation, and meaningful independence. This webinar will provide practical, neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based strategies for fostering self-advocacy, daily living skills, transition planning, employment readiness, and community participation. Participants will leave with immediately applicable tools to help adolescents build confidence while honoring individual strengths, preferences, and support needs.
November 4, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Jaclyn Benigno, MEd
Audience: Case managers and educators
Session Description:
Effective transition planning can open doors and change futures. In this session, we’ll outline the standards for creating transition plans that are both compliant and impactful for students receiving special education services. Participants will gain practical strategies and a clear understanding of the policies that guide transition planning, leaving equipped to design plans that are meaningful and supportive.
September 15, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Jaclyn Benigno, MEd
Audience: Caregivers and professionals working with students with autism
Session Description:
Choosing the right path after high school can feel overwhelming for autistic young adults and their families. This webinar will provide an overview of the postsecondary options available, including competitive employment, college and university programs, Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs, vocational and technical training, apprenticeships, job training programs, and other community-based opportunities. Participants will learn about the benefits and considerations of each pathway, key questions to ask when evaluating programs and services, and practical strategies for determining the best fit based on an individual’s strengths, interests, support needs, and long-term goals.
February 17, 2027 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Tara Devore, MEd
Audience: Educators, paraprofessionals, other professionals working with young students with autism
Session Description:
Traditional IEP goals have often focused on reducing autistic traits or increasing compliance. This session explores how to develop neurodiversity-affirming goals that support communication, self-advocacy, independence, participation, and quality of life. Participants will learn practical strategies for writing strengths-based goals and creating supportive environments that help students succeed while honoring their unique neurodevelopmental profiles.
October 28, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Tara Devore, MEd and Heidi Willoughby, BA
Audience: Educators, professionals working with young students with autism
Session Description:
In early development, self-initiations, such as asking questions like “What’s that,” play an important role in helping children learn about and engage with the world around them. For children with autism, these initiations may need to be taught more explicitly. This session will explore the pivotal area of self-initiations – including what they are, why they are important, and practical strategies for encouraging children with autism to use them in everyday interactions. This webinar is designed for individuals with a working knowledge of autism and common communication support.
March 16, 2027 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Presented by: Laurel Owen, MSW, LCSW and Heidi Willoughby, BA
Audience: Educators, professionals working with young students with autism
Session Description:
Trauma and autism can share many overlapping characteristics, making it challenging to determine the underlying needs of a student in your classroom. In this session, participants will explore the impact of trauma on development, behavior, communication, and learning while gaining a deeper understanding of how trauma-related responses can resemble or coexist with autistic traits. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for creating supportive, trauma-informed environments that help meet the needs of all learners.
February 2, 2027 | 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. CST
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Psychologists, Social Workers, counselors, and other professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!
*This session qualifies for 1 APA CE credit.
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Psychologists, Social Workers, counselors, and other professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!
*This session qualifies for 1 APA CE credit.
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Psychologists, Social Workers, counselors, and other professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!
*This session qualifies for 1 APA CE credit.
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Caregivers and professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Caregivers and professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!
Presented by: Jennifer Sykes, PhD
Audience: Caregivers and professionals working with individuals with autism
Session Description:
Description coming soon!