Free Regional AT Trainings for the 2020-2021 School Year
Based on needs assessment data collected by Infinitec and ISBE, this year Infinitec has organized regional training offerings around two strands.
- Autism
- AAC / Communication
- Reading / Writing (Executive Functions)
· Transition
- Significant Disabilities
Below you will find descriptive information about trainings offered in each strand along with links to flyers with additional information and registration forms for each scheduled session.
2021 Practitioner's Conference (Virtual)
| Where: Online |
When: March 16, 2021
Time: 9:00 - 3:30
See Sessions and Download Conference Flyer
Coaching
Transforming Your Practice through Peer Coaching
Facilitated by: Dr. Pam Robbins
Description:
Have you ever attended a professional learning event that demonstrated skills/strategies you wanted to try with one or more of your students, and then never did? Join Us in this series and learn how to work collaboratively with a colleague to support one another in the changes you would like to make to your practice.
Learner Outcomes -
Participants will:
1.build rapport with partner
2.develop an implementation plan
3.develop skills for generating and asking reflective questions
4.administer a protocol for examining student work
5.analyze and discuss student data
6.examine and apply a problem solving model
Prerequisites for Course:
1. Select a colleague with whom you will attend this series.
2. Come with a particular student in mind.
3. Come with an AT tool or strategy that you plan to implement with your student.
4. Be prepared to describe your student. Bring work samples and/or descriptive notes.
Where: Online
When: March 3, 2021, April 7, 2021 & May 5, 2021
Time: 9:00AM - 11:30AM resuming again at 1:00PM - 3:30PM
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3oiDykE
Autism
Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment for Autistic Students: Using Universal Design, Social Skills, Evidence-Based Practices
- 4 Part Series
When: April 6th, April 14th, April 22nd, and April 26th - Each day via Zoom 9:00am-12:00pm
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/Myles4PartaprMayISBE
Training Flyer: Click here to open
| DESCRIPTION: This practical workshop will discuss the following: (a) the autistic brain and how it impacts learning; (b) the essential skills needed for success as an adult and how to teach them to autistic learners in preschool, elementary, and secondary school; (c) using evidence-based practices to address behavior and regulation challenges, and (d) how to help a student transition from year to year. This session is designed to be practical so that educators can the strategies they learn and use them the following day with their students. |
|
OUTCOMES - Participants will be able to: 1. Describe the autistic brain and how it learns 2. Discuss how to implement interventions across a student's day. 3. Discuss evidence-based practices for autistic students to facilitate behavior regulation, learning, transitions, and life success |
Significant Disabilities
Never Give Up: Supporting Task Engagement, Access and Accessibility for Students with Complex Bodies - 4 Part Series
Facilitated by: Karen M. Kangas
Description: Finding access and providing accessibility (to activity participation and/or AT) for students with complex bodies can be a huge challenge. Unfortunately, most therapists, teachers and parents follow an assessment paradigm that was originally developed for adults. This presumes that a specific access technique must be discovered and mastered before the student can progress to mastery of an AAC device and/or computer use, the use of powered mobility, even access to a specific curriculum and its activity. Focus on the technology is frequently considered to be more important than the activity within which it will be used in the classroom.
AT Decision Making & Coaching
AAC Assessment Series
Facilitated by Kathleen Post and Heather Miller
This presentation will discuss the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment process within the education environment. Participants will compare features of current mobile technology apps and dedicated speech generating devices and examine the benefits of matching the technology to the student rather than matching the student to the technology. The steps of an AAC assessment will be outlined and discussion will focus on evaluation models, tools, formats and recommendations. Participants will walk away with the knowledge necessary to make decisions that best support a student's communication needs within the classroom.
Learner Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Identify the components of a feature match assessment and list three tools to support this process.
- Compare and contrast the features of a variety of apps and speech generating devices for communication.
- Identify three strategies to promote AAC usage during and after the AAC trial.
Location: Dekalb, IL or virtual
Full Days:
6/9/21 - AAC Overview
6/10/21 - AAC Assessment
Webinar Follow-Up Dates: TBA
- Customizing Trials (8:00-9:30)
- Data Collection in Trials (8:00-9:30)
- Funding and Report Writing (8:00-9:30)
For questions Contact: hmiller@ucpnet.org or call 708-444-8460 x 243
Assistive Technology Decison Making Process for Reading and Writing
Facilitated by Samantha Conklin & Jennifer Skalitzky
Team Requirement
This assessment series is designed for teams of 2-4 participants per team. Teams can be comprised of a teacher, SLP, OT, PT, para-educator, administrator, psychologist and social worker. If you have any questions on team member eligibility please contact Jenn Skalitzky, jskalitzky@ucpnet.org for further information.
Description
Assistive technology can improve a student's access to the curriculum, progress on goals, and independence. It is critical that educational teams have an understanding of the assistive technology (AT) decision making process to determine tools that can support a student in the school environment. This presentation will guide participants through the decision making process relating to assistive technology in the areas of reading and writing. Current Illinois legislation related to AT consideration will be discussed. A continuum of AT tools, and their features, in the areas of reading and writing will be reviewed. The process of gathering information using the SETT framework and matchingfeatures of tools to students' needs will be described . Resources to support planning for and implementation of AT trials, and documentation of the process will be shared. Participants will engage in activities to apply content related to AT consideration, the SETT framework, and AT tools in the areas of reading and writing.
Learner Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- State the law related to AT and AT consideration
- Describe the components that make up the SETT framework
- Identify AT tools, and their features, in the area of reading and writing
- Describe the process for trialing AT tools and determining their effectiveness
- Identify where and how the need for AT can be documented in an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Location: In Person - TBA exact location
Webinar Follow-Up Dates:
TBA
To register click here: coming soon
|
|
|
|