PBTA invites area, empirically-oriented, CBT and ABA professionals to a networking luncheon where you are welcome to bring your business cards and one brochure or flyer to share your practice, and more importantly to get to know one another. Due to space, you must attend the morning program, described below, in order to join us for the luncheon.
The morning begins with three presentations serving as an update on the understanding and treatment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Details are below. We offer 3 CEs for which you must attend the full 3 hour presentation (9-12); per APA, we cannot allow partial attendance if you want to earn CEs. You do not need to stay for the luncheon, but we hope you will. The presentation from 10-11am will additionally offer 1 CE from the BACB for behavior analysts. The cost of lunch and all CEs is included in the program.
Presentations
Juhi Pandey, PhD: Research Findings from the Center for Autism Research: Highlights and Important Implications - The presentation will focus on the recent research advances in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the last decade, many topics of which have been conducted by the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The presentation will cover three broad topics: behavioral phenotyping, the use of technology, and genetics. Coverage of behavioral phenotyping studies will include longitudinal data investigating cognitive and adaptive functioning across the early developmental period of children at risk for developing ASD. There have been many technological advances across the years, including the use of eye tracking, EEG, and MRI to help identify early biomarkers for the identification of characteristics associated with ASD. Finally, the genetics of autism will be discussed as well as large scale studies underway at CAR to help identify possible genes that may be implicated in ASD. All of the researchers studies discussed during this presentation are geared toward better understanding the autism phenotype as well as factors causing the expression of this disorder.
Amanda Fisher, PhD: Best Practices in Assessment and Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - The research literature on intervention strategies used to treat the characteristic behavioral excesses and deficits of Autism Spectrum Disorder has expanded at an overwhelming rate over the last few decades. This can make it difficult to evaluate and summarize for parents, students, and practitioners. This presentation will include a rationale for evidence-based practice and a discussion of the methods of identifying evidence-based practices. This session will review examples of interventions considered to be evidence-based by various research synthesis organizations in the area of autism intervention as well as general best practice guidelines in the assessment and intervention for children with ASD. In addition, current advances in research from the field of applied behavior analysis will be highlighted and resources for finding practitioners, research articles, or other professional development in the interventions will be given.
Beth Rosenwasser, PhD, LPC, BCBA-D: Successful Transition to Adult Life with Self Advocate Spokespersons - Beth Rosenwasser will present successful strategies to promote successful inclusion and transition of people with ASD to independence in the community. She will highlight specific clinical strategies and real life examples of how her program supports increasing social success using a model of communities within expanding communities. JCHAI self-advocates will each share about their relationships, work, families, and activities using multimedia storytelling.
CE Learning Objectives
Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Attendees will be able to identify various techniques by which ASD research are currently being conducted.
- Attendees will be able to identify seminal research findings, which have helped to move forward clinical assessment.
- Attendees will be able to describe the research process and the ways in which the field of ASD has progressed in the last number of years.
- Participants will be able to describe why research and evidence-based practice is important in the assessment and intervention of the characteristics of ASD.
- Participants will be able to list at least 3 evidence-based interventions used in assessment or treatment for the characteristics displayed in children with ASD.
- Participants will be able to identify common best practice guidelines described in the presentation.
- Participants will be able to list at least 3 best practice guidelines discussed for use in interventions for children with ASD.
- Participants will be able to identify at least 2 resources provided in the presentation.
- Workshop participants will be able to identify key challenges to be addressed in planning inclusive social events for transitioning and young adults with Autism.
- Workshop participants will be able to describe the benefits of inclusion [of people with ASD] from current theory and research data.
- Workshop participants will see and hear individual stories from people on the Autism spectrum and be able to engage in questions and answers with them.
- Workshop participants will be able to list 10 strategies to make inclusive activities successfule activities successful.
About the Presenters
Juhi Pandey, PhD, Center for Autism Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - Dr. Pandey is a pediatric neuropsychologist and scientist at the Center for Autism Research (CAR) as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2001 from the University of Rochester, she worked as a research assistant at The Kennedy Krieger Institute at John's Hopkins University on projects studying infants at risk for developing autism and other developmental disorders. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2008. She completed her clinical internship at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental disorders and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with high functioning autism. She came to CAR to complete her postdoctoral fellowship and remained on as one of the supervising clinicians. Today, she is the Principal Investigator and lead clinician conducting deep clinical characterization of participants coming through various research protocols spanning the lifespan. Dr. Pandey has a special interest in the early identification and diagnosis of ASD, clinical phenotyping, and brain-behavior relationships that impact diagnosis and treatment outcome and plays a clinical role on a number of infant and toddler as well as school-age studies at CAR.
Amanda Fisher, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Temple University - Amanda earned her Masters degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and her doctorate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education from the Ohio State University. Amanda first received her board certification in behavior analysis (currently BCBA-D) in March of 2007. She has presented research at local and national conferences in a variety of subject areas including: response chains, stimulus equivalence, analysis of verbal behavior, college teaching strategies, feeding disorders, functional assessment methodology, reinforcer qualities and dimensions, communication modalities, staff training, and the treatment of challenging behavior. She has experience in staff and parent training, school consultation (including Response to Intervention and School-wide Positive Behavior Support with the May Institute), developing and conducting community workshops in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders, conducting functional assessments and analyses, treating feeding disorders and developing and implementing behavior change procedures to address severe challenging behavior and academic deficits for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Amanda has also served as an adjunct faculty at Caldwell College, St. Joseph’s University, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Temple University, and Rowan University. Previously, Amanda served as the Director of Professional Development, Training, and Research at Melmark where she directed the internal clinical training of staff, coordinated internships and BCBA supervision, coordinated research, served as a senior clinician for a caseload of children, and coordinated a 6–Course BACB-approved certificate program taught at Melmark through Temple University. Amanda is currently an Assistant Professor at Temple University in the College of Education where she teaches and advises students, and coordinates the masters degree and certificate program in ABA.
Beth Rosenwasser, PhD, LPC, BCBA-D, Temple University and Judith Creed Homes for Adult Independence (JCHAI) - Beth Rosenwasser has a myriad of credentials to bring an informed perspective to her position as Director of Community Engagement and Program Development at JCHAI. She was awarded the prestigious Conwell Fellowship at Temple University where she completed a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Special Education and Curriculum Design. She is currently adjunct faculty in the Department of Education at Temple University. Reflecting a lifelong endeavor to help create a more just society, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy/Ethics at University of Pennsylvania. Before joining the JCHAI team, she designed and directed treatment programs for children and adults with a range of developmental and behavioral health needs. A cognitive behavioral therapist, she is the current president of Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association, VP of Lower Merion School District’s Committee for Special Education and has been in private clinical practice for over 20 years. Beth collaborates with organizations for fun mutual learning opportunities. She and JCHAI self-advocates are available to give presentations, focus groups and workshops at your school/organization.
Target Audience
This presentation is intended for mental health professionals, researchers, and graduate students. The instructional level of this presentation is appropriate for all levels, beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Continuing Education
Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This program provides three (3) hours of CE credits. The presentation from 10-11am will additionally offer one (1) CE from the BACB for behavior analysts. PBTA is also an authorized provider for CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
Full attendance is required to obtain CE credits for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed.
Parking Information
Garage parking is available for $5. A map of the campus with parking information can be found here.
