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Professional Development Webinars 2023-2024

The Thompson Center is proud to offer more than 20 FREE virtual training opportunities to professionals working with individuals with autism through our Train Experts in Autism for Missouri (TEAM) initiative. Session information as well as registration links can be found below. You may register for multiple topics and some topics are offered more than once for your convenience.

Sessions are live via the Zoom platform and will not be recorded. Zoom is an easy to use online meeting space and can be accessed from any computer, smart phone, or tablet using high-speed internet.

If you have questions or require additional assistance, please contact Jaclyn Benigno at benignoj@health.missouri.edu.

Early Identification and Referrals | Cortney Fish, MSW, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Early Intervention Professionals
Daycare Providers

Session Description

This session will provide information on recognizing
the early signs of autism to help guide referral decision
making. Additional information will be provided about
autism characteristics in young children and methods
for screening and referring to diagnostic and support
services when autism is suspected. This session contains
some overlapping information with the Overview of
Autism session.

Date & Time

September 6, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session
January 24, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Neurodiversity Series: #1 Exploring Hidden Symptoms and Strategies | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Community

Session Description

This session will dive into the concept of neurodiversity
and how subtle or nuanced symptoms of
neurodevelopment conditions are all around you.

Date & Time

September 8, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Effective Use of Paraprofessionals for Case Managers | Jennifer DeLaporte, MST, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Educators
Case Managers
Administrators
Early Intervention Professionals

Session Description

This session will identify strategies for building effective
school-based teams with paraprofessionals and examine
how to take data and effectively plan for paraprofessional
support. This session is most applicable for those who are
supervising paraprofessionals.


Date & Time

September 21, 2023 | 4:00-5:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session
January 25, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Its a Spectrum | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Psychologists
Social Workers
Counselors
Other mental health professionals working with
individuals with autism

Session Description

This session will review the latest research on the most
effective mental health strategies and interventions for
individuals on the autism spectrum.
*This session qualifies for APA CEs.

Date & Time

September 22, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

February 23, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Supporting Appropriate Behavior | Cortney Fish, MSW, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Educators
Early Intervention Professionals
Any professional working with students with problem bx

Session Description

This session will provide educational professionals
with an overview of strategies to promote
appropriate behavior in the classroom setting. The
content will include functional information on why
problem behavior may occur. Strategies to address
the environment as well as teach/reinforce new
behavior will be discussed. We recommend you also
attend the Functional Behavior Assessment webinar.
Note: This session is not intended for BCBAs.

Date & Time

September 25, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

April 8, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Teaching Play | Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP

Audience
Speech Language Pathologists
Early Intervention Professionals

Session Description

This session will highlight the importance of play
development. Strategies to engage students in play
and to expand students’ play schemes will be
presented. Additionally, strategies to facilitate
emergent engagement with peers will be
discussed.

Date & Time

October 4, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Introduction to Alternative Communication | Julie Muckerman, MPH


Audience

Educators
Speech Language Pathologists
Early Childhood Providers

Session Description

This session will identify the benefits of
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
implementation, describe various AAC strategies
and tools, and provide practical insights for fostering
inclusive communication strategies. Whether you’re a
caregiver, educator, or simply interested in AAC, this
session will inspire you to embrace the diversity of
communication methods and help support individuals
with communication challenges.

Date & Time

October 10, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

January 30, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Neurodiversity Series: #2 Social Differences | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Community

Session Description

This session will identify the impact of neurodiversity
on social skills and support.

Date & Time

October 13, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Functional Behavior Assessment | Cortney Fish, MSW, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Educators
School Psychologists
Professionals working with students with problem bx

Session Description

This session will provide an overview of the Functional
Behavior Assessment (FBA) process for professionals
working in a school setting. Participants will learn how
to collect multiple forms of data, and how to analyze
that data to identify possible reasons for the target
behavior occurring. The content of this presentation
will focus on the relationship between the environment
and appropriate behavior. This session will also provide
resources for education professionals to access as they
move forward with using FBAs. Although not required,
we recommend you attend the Supporting Appropriate
Behavior webinar prior to attending this one. This
session is not intended for BCBAs.


Date & Time

October 16, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

April 22, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Using AAC to Support Your Educational Team | Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP


Audience

Educators
Speech Language Pathologists
Early Childhood Providers

Session Description

Think about effective augmentative and
alternative communication (AAC) intervention
as 20% hardware and 80% follow through. Once a
system or device is chosen and purchased, the real
work begins for educators, speech-language
pathologists, families, and students. Adequate
support and training is needed to decrease the
chances of device or system abandonment. During
this webinar, we will review strategies, resources, and
supports demonstrated to be effective for successful
AAC intervention and outcomes. We suggest you also
attend the Introduction to Alternative Communication
webinar.

Date & Time

October 17, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

February 6, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Preparing for Transition | Jaclyn Benigno, MEd


Audience

Educators
Paraprofessionals
Professionals working with students with autism

Session Description

This session will identify effective strategies to address
independence and transition from high school to
young adulthood for students with autism. This session
will also discuss common barriers to creating a smooth
transition and how to address these. Additional
resources will be provided to participants.

Date & Time

October 24, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

February 13, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Instructional Strategies | Jennifer DeLaporte, MST, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Educators
Paraprofessionals

Session Description

This session will identify effective instructional
strategies to address independence and promote
expected behavior for students with autism. This
session will discuss common barriers to independence
and how to address these including the use of
antecedent strategies and environmental modification.
Additional resources will be provided to participants.

Date & Time

November 2, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

March 7, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Peer Mediated Interventions | Julie Muckerman, MPH


Audience

Educators
Early Childhood Providers

Session Description

This session will explore the power of
Peer-Mediated Interventions (PMI) in fostering inclusive
connections for individuals with autism. Discover practical
strategies, success stories, and ethical considerations,
empowering you to create supportive environments that
nurture social skills and promote lasting positive change.


Date & Time

November 7, 2023 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session
February 20, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

ASD and Interventions | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Psychologists
Social Workers
Counselors
Other professionals working with individuals
with autism

Session Description

This session will define the core characteristics
of an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis in
adolescents and young adults and identify
subtle symptoms of autism that are often missed
or mis-categorized. It will also cover “gold standard”
evaluation components and why they are needed.
*This session qualifies for APA CEs.

Date & Time

November 17, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session
April 5, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Mental Health Co-occurring Diagnoses and Autism | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Psychologists
Social Workers
Counselors
Other professionals working with individuals with
autism
Session Description
This training will explore common co-occurring
diagnoses. Attendees will be able to identify mental
health conditions that are frequently associated with
autism as well as analyze symptom overlap and how
characteristics of various diagnoses interact.
This session qualifies for APA CEs.

Date & Time

December 1, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session
April 26, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Series Part 1: Preparing for Transition | Cortney Fish, MSW, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Vocational Rehabilitation professionals
Other adult care providers (residential staff, job
coaches, day programs)

Session Description

This session will identify the three barriers to
successful transition as well as three domains to
focus on for transition planning. Three references
and tools to help make the transition process
smoother will be given.

Date & Time

January 29, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Neurodiversity Series: #3 Executive Functioning | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Community

Session Description

This session will describe the impact of
neurodevelopmental differences on the brain’s
ability to plan and execute tasks.

Date & Time

February 9, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Series Part 2: Supporting Employment | Cortney Fish, MSW, BCBA, LBA


Audience

Vocational Rehabilitation professionals
Other adult care providers (residential staff, job
coaches, day programs)

Session Description

This session will identify the four steps in Behavior
Skills Training to teach employment skills as well
as the three ways to fade on the job supports. It
will also reference 3 resources for teaching
independence in the workplace.


Date & Time

February 26, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Strategies for Teaching Emergent Communication | Michelle Dampf, MA, CCC-SLP


Audience

Speech Language Pathologists
Early Intervention Professionals

Session Description

This session will provide strategies for increasing
communication and engagement for children with
emergent language skills using evidenced based
intervention for improving social-communication,
play, and adaptive skills.

Date & Time

February 27, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Neurodiversity Series: #4 Communication | Jennifer Sykes, PhD


Audience

Community

Session Description

This session will describe the impact of
neurodiversity on communication skills in children.

Date & Time

March 8, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Series Part 3: Supporting College Students | Jaclyn Benigno, MEd


Audience

Vocational Rehabilitation professionals
Other adult care providers (residential staff, job
coaches, day programs)

Session Description

This session will identify three barriers in the
college setting for students with ASD as well as
three types of accommodations students can
request. References and resources for teaching
problem solving and goal setting will also be
discussed.

Date & Time

March 18, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Self-Advocate Series: Preparing for Employment | Jaclyn Benigno, MEd

Audience
Individuals with autism

Session Description

This session will identify strategies for creating
a professional resume, preparing for interviews,
searching for employment, etc.

Date & Time

April 9, 2024 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Self-Advocate Series: All Things Technology | Jaclyn Benigno, MEd

Audience
Individuals with autism

Session Description

This session will identify strategies for
communicating with others using technology
including professional and casual emails, texts,
leaving voicemail messages, etc.

Date & Time

April 16, 2024 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Self-Advocate Series: The Hidden Curriculum | Jaclyn Benigno, MEd

Audience
Individuals with autism

Session Description

This session will identify strategies to better
understand social norms, values, and beliefs.

Date & Time

April 23, 2024 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register for this session

Interested in additional training? Check out our asynchronous training videos with topics including Overview of Autism, Comprehensive Evaluations, toileting, and more! We strongly suggest watching Overview of Autism before attending the webinars above.