Distance Education | University at Albany

CARD Albany now offers distance education opportunities for professionals and parents on topics related to autism at no cost.

Sessions are offered at no cost and each lasts about 60-90 minutes. Each session includes lectures, multimedia examples, case studies and/or research studies. Sessions have been archived and can be viewed at any time following registration.

To register, please click the registration link under the title of the session you would like to view. After you complete and submit your registration, you will receive an email with the video link. When you finish watching the session, please click the blue button under the video to receive your evaluation. Upon completion of the evaluation, you will receive an email with your certificate of attendance.

If possible, please use a personal email address. If you are using an email linked to a public school system's server, the firewall may block your access.

Continuing education credits are available for a fee.

CTLE, NASP, LMHC, and Social Work credits (optional and for select sessions) can be purchased as part of the registration processes using a credit card or PayPal account. Please return your completed CTLE and NASP form to us via email to jworlock@albany.edu or fax to 518-442-4834.

Available Archived Sessions:

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Brief Overview - Paraprofessional Series Session 1

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Learning Objectives

Understand the core and associated characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Recognize common behaviors seen in students with autism
Introduction to effective strategies to use with individuals with ASD

Thinking Differently: Keys to Understanding Students with ASD - Paraprofessional Series Session 2

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Learning Objectives

Describe the latest research relevant to the way individuals with ASD process social information and engage socially
Identify challenging behaviors that students may display related to how they process information
Identify strategies that can be used to teach adaptive skills to replace the challenging behaviors

Helping Students with ASD Overcome Challenging Behavior - Paraprofessional Series Session 3

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Learning Objectives

Define the new DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Establish meaningful goals based on areas of need and challenging behaviors
Identify the steps to teach practical skills to replace challenging behavior

Creating Visual and Environmental Classroom Supports for Students with ASD - Paraprofessional Series Session 4

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Learning Objectives

Develop a basic understanding of why students with ASD benefit from the use of visual supports
Understand that visual supports can and should be individualized to students' needs
Identify steps for creating effective visual supports

Role of the Paraprofessional - Paraprofessional Series Session 5

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Learning Objectives

Understand the unique needs for support in the educational environments of students with ASD
Increase awareness of the general activities as outlined by NYS Education Department regulations for teaching assistants and teacher aides
Increase understanding of evidence-based strategies for supporting students with ASD in educational environments
Recognize the importance of increasing independence and self-advocacy skills in students with ASD

Promoting Successful Transitions from Secondary School to Post-Secondary School or Employment for Individuals with ASD

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Learning Objectives:

Discuss differences in regulations/practices governing the transition from secondary to post-secondary education and employment
Learn how core deficits and related characteristics of ASD impact the successful transition to adulthood
Recognize practices that promote independence and success for transitioning students with ASD

Using Power Cards and Social Behavior Mapping to Support Pro-Social Behavior

Download Handouts - Handout 1, Handout 2, Handout 3, Handout 4, Handout 5, Handout 6

Learning Objectives:

Power Cards: a visual aid that incorporates the individual's special interest in teaching appropriate social interactions, including routines, behavior expectations, the meaning of language, and the hidden curriculum.
Behavior Mapping: a visual flowchart that is used to map the consequences of any behavior in any situation (good or bad), and brings to light the perspectives of everyone affected by the behavior.
Following the completion of this training, participants will be able to understand how the core and related characteristics of autism-related to the need for visual supports and explicit instruction around behavior and social skills.

Executive Functioning Strategies to Keep Individuals with ASD Organized and On-Target

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Learning Objectives:

Describe how executive functions impact individuals with an autism spectrum disorder
Become familiar with interventions that support executive functioning difficulties
Choose 2-3 supports to create and use at home, in school, or in the community

Learning Better Ways to Cope: Teaching Individuals with ASD Skills to Replace Challenging Behaviors

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Learning Objectives:

Identify reasons why it is necessary to teach coping skills to individuals with ASD
Describe different techniques to assist individuals on the spectrum with anxiety and problem-solving difficulties
Identify at least one strategy that could be taught to your child and used in a home and school environment

Replacing Challenging Behaviors and Improving Quality of Life With Functional Communication Training

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Learning Objectives:

Define functional communication, challenging behavior, and functionally equivalent alternative behavior
Describe the process of identifying the function of a behavior
Identify the steps to teach communication skills through Functional Communication Training

Strategies to Motivate Individuals with ASD in the Classroom and at Home

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Learning Objectives:

Gain a better understanding of the theories of motivation in individuals with ASD
Understand reinforcement principles and how the principles are applied for use in motivating individuals with ASD
Recognize evidence-based practice tools for increasing motivation in students with ASD in multiple settings

Self-Care for the Caregiver of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Download Handouts - Handout 1, Handout 2, Handout 3

Learning Objectives:

Identify common terms related to stress and how parenting/caregiving for an individual with autism may impact stress levels and functioning
Recognize the importance of self-care as a parent/caregiver for an individual with ASD
Describe self-care plans, strategies for self-care, and how to use those in daily life

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications for Grief and Loss

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Learning Objectives:

Understand the core and associated characteristics of autism spectrum disorders and how they may impact grief
Recognize common behaviors seen in individuals with autism and how they may present with grief
Identify at least one effective strategy to use with individuals with ASDs experiencing a loss or grief

Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Learning Objectives:

Define the term bullying and identify forms of bullying behavior
Identify factors that influence vulnerability to bullying in students with ASD
Identify strategies they can use or teach others to use when faced with bullying

Encouraging and Shaping Desired Pro-social Behavior in Students with ASD

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Learning Objectives:

Identify desired behaviors that will impact quality of life at home, school, and/or community
Develop strategies to ensure success through environmental modifications and/or peer support
Describe ways to motivate students to perform desired behaviors and build on learned skills

View our Distance Education Flyer!

If you have any questions, please contact Jane Ann Worlock at:

jworlock@albany.edu or (518) 442-4822