Panel Members, Individual Titles, and Abstracts:
➢ V. Mark Durand, Ph.D.
Title: Functional Communication Training and Beyond: Hope and Help for Challenging Children
Abstract:
This talk will describe a 5-year, federally funded project that teaches parents the skills they need to take on the challenges their children present. This multi-site randomized clinical trial is finding that adding a cognitive behavioral intervention to parent training is successful in helping parents feel more optimistic about their abilities as parents, and in turn keeps them in parent training. “Positive Family Intervention” is an approach to handling child behavior problems that stresses the importance of being ready to take on this challenge. Only when parents feel capable of tackling these problems are they able to carry out the techniques that lead to success.
➢ Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Title: “Organic” Language Development: A Usage-Based Approach to Social Communication
Abstract:
This presentation will explore the dramatic differences between language development that stems from the child’s own needs and interests (“organic”), and that which is imposed on the child from the outside (“inorganic”). The components of a usage-based, organic language system will be discussed, as will intervention techniques designed to promote its development.
➢ Margaret Creedon, Ph.D.
Title: “See What I Mean?”: Functional Visual Skills for Learning and Safety
Abstract:
Persons with autism are described as visual thinkers or learners. At the same time, individuals can still have difficulty with joint attention, social interaction, reading and environmental safety. This presentation will review everyone’s need to learn to look and then use looking for learning and interacting. Some symptoms can be related to disruptions in this process; sometimes we fail to see their perspective. Functional visual skills need to be appreciated and taught at home and in the classroom. Practical examples of home/school testing, strategies for increasing speed and skill, including more perceptually manageable environments, will be included.
➢ Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, M.S., CCC-SLP
Title: Calling a Truce in the “Food Wars”: Strategies to Address Food-Related Issues in Children on the Autism Spectrum
Abstract:
This presentation will describe the nature of feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), placing special emphasis on those aspects of feeding difficulties related to the symptoms of ASD. Following this, practical and easy-to-implement strategies designed to increase tolerance for non-preferred foods, and expand the variety of foods that the child accepts, will be provided.
V. Mark Durand, Ph.D.
n/a
Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D.
Diane Twachtman-Cullen is a communication disorders specialist and licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in autism, Asperger syndrome, and related conditions. she hold a Sixth Year Diploma in earch childhood education, and a PhD in special education.
Margaret P. Creedon, Ph.D.
Margaret P. Creedon, Ph.D.,attending staff Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago and international consultant for individuals with ASD. She is a member of the ASA Panel of Professional Advisors, chaired annual meetings of this Network and served as a professional contact for families.
Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, M.S., CCC-SLP
Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, M.S. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who provides consultation / training for individuals with ASD through the ADDCON Center, LLC and direct services at the Connecticut College Children's Program. She is the associate editor of Autism Spectrum Quarterly where she is the author of a column. She was recently named to the National Advisory Board of Directors of the Specialminds Foundation and is on the team of "Resident Experts" at www.autismtoday.com. The co-author of a book and author of a chapter, she has presented many workshops at national, state, and regional conferences throughout the USA.