All Pre-Conference sessions will be located in the Sorensen Student Center at Utah Valley University.
9:00 - 10:15 am
Sexuality and the Spectrum
Amy Gravino
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ballroom
Individuals on the autism spectrum are sexual beings, yet they are usually not taught the necessary skills to be successful in sexual and romantic relationships. This session, which features a woman on the autism spectrum sharing her firsthand perspective, will dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding autism and dating, discuss the potential for using ABA to teach dating skills and the challenges involved with teaching these skills, and offer strategies and resources to help parents and clinicians begin conversations about relationships and sexuality with their family members and clients.
10:30 - 11:30 am
Utah, Sex Education, and Autism: A Panel Discussion
Jared Stewart
Room: Ballroom
Join us for a panel discussion that includes personal and professional experiences and perspectives about Utah sex education laws and how that impacts autism in our state. Learn ways to advocate for and increase awareness about this important safety topic.
Yes to Sexuality in the IEP
Julie Swanson
Room: Centre Stage
The sexual landscape can be difficult to navigate for many autistic adolescents on the precipice of adulthood, yet the vital skills to navigate sexuality are rarely included in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). In fact, it’s not unusual for parents to be told these sensitive issues are not the responsibility of the IEP team. This presentation will review how sexuality falls into the three major adaptive domains (Conceptual, Social, and Practical) and provide participants with steps on how to incorporate skills around sexuality into the IEP along with the legal arguments to support them.
Teaching and Facilitating Consent Skills
Worner Leland
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ragan Theatre
Unpublished data from the US Department of Justice indicate that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are up to seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted than their neurotypical counterparts. In 86% of cases, assaults are committed by a non-stranger. Because of this, it is important to teach this population consent-giving and consent-honoring skills, which are critical not only in the prevention of sexual assault and coercion but also in facilitating safe non-sexual interactions. This presentation will focus on practical considerations for teaching consent, as well as practical strategies for facilitating consent interactions for learners with emergent skill sets.
11:30 - 12:45 pm - Lunch-vouchers will be provided
12:45 - 1:45 pm
Considerations and Resources When Addressing Puberty and Sexuality with Individuals with Autism
Wes Dotson
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ballroom
In this session, we’ll discuss why it is important to teach awareness of and skills about puberty and sexuality to individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum. We will then explore resources available to parents and professionals entering this area, including curriculums, informational resources, professional communities, and standards of practice. By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to articulate why education about puberty and sexuality is vital to healthy development and community participation for individuals with autism and identify appropriate resources for their specific situation according to the guidelines and considerations described in the presentation. Questions and discussion will be welcome and encouraged.
Fostering Healthy Relationships and Abuse Prevention for People with Disabilities - Hour 1 of 2
Molly Dellinger-Wray
Room: Centre Stage
Please Note: This is a 2-hour session. People with disabilities experience abuse at much higher rates than the nondisabled population. This presentation will explore practical strategies to promote abuse prevention and foster healthy relationships for everyone, but especially for those with disabilities. We will discuss why abuse exists at such high rates, how abuse differs, and what to do if someone discloses an unhealthy relationship.
Queer and Here: Neurodiversity LGBTQ+ Voices
Morgan Jacobs
Room: Ragan Theatre
Join us in celebrating and uplifting the voices of queer, neurodiverse students. This panel will highlight students' lived experiences at the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and disability. Discussion topics will include ways to find community, the co-existence of grief and joy within queerness, and the protective factors that supporters can help foster.
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Teaching Skills Related to Sexuality to Learners of All Ages
Jessica Cauchi
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ballroom
This presentation will emphasize the importance of teaching skills related to sexuality to learners with autism spectrum disorders early in their lifespan. It will review how to break down complex skills into teachable components, which will make it easier to target the complex skills when appropriate. Specifically, we will discuss skills related to independence, autonomy, and safety.
Fostering Healthy Relationships and Abuse Prevention for People with Disabilities - Hour 2 of 2
Molly Dellinger-Wray
Room: Centre Stage
Please Note: This is a 2-hour session. People with disabilities experience abuse at much higher rates than the nondisabled population. This presentation will explore practical strategies to promote abuse prevention and foster healthy relationships for everyone, but especially for those with disabilities. We will discuss why abuse exists at such high rates, how abuse differs, and what to do if someone discloses an unhealthy relationship.
Understanding and Affirming Queerness and Neurodiversity: A Panel Discussion
Morgan Jacobs
Room: Ragan Theatre
Neurodiverse individuals, particularly autistic folks, are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. Having even one accepting adult is a known protective factor for LGBTQ+ youth. This acceptance is especially important for individuals who exist at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. This panel will address your questions about LGBTQ+ identity and neurodiversity and discuss ways to contribute to a supportive and affirming environment.
3:15 pm
Autism and Sexuality: A Panel Discussion
Facilitated by Jane Carlson
Room: Ballroom
Sexuality education supports autistic individuals in developing healthy relationships, self-advocating for personal needs, and recognizing unsafe situations. Yet, we often find ourselves unprepared to discuss sexuality education topics. Join us for a conversation with leaders in the field on how to have open, meaningful dialogue about autism, sexuality, and self-advocacy.
All Conference sessions will be located in the Sorensen Student Center at Utah Valley University.
9:00 - 10:15 am
Sexuality: A Lifespan Perspective
Peter Gerhardt
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ballroom
Individuals with disability are often left out of sexual education conversations and teachings. This is problematic, as disabled individuals experience higher rates of victimization and abuse. Join Dr. Peter Gerhardt as he shares a lifespan perspective on how to approach sexuality and autism.
10:30 -11:30 am
Bridging Gaps in Autism Employment: A Panel Discussion
Facilitated by Scott Wood
Room: Ballroom
Autistic adults face unique barriers when seeking employment. There are complex components to navigate for the individual with autism in search of sustained employment, their potential and ongoing employers, and the parents and professionals supporting employment pursuits and attainment. Come participate in a panel discussion to hear from autistic individuals and employment experts on the current state of autism employment, gain insights into what is currently working, and discuss ways to improve outcomes for the future.
Positive Predictions of Postschool Success
Crystal Emery
Room: Centre Stage
Students with disabilities, including autism, face many challenges in transitioning to adulthood after they exit the school system. Much research has been done to identify services and experiences that will support a successful postsecondary transition for students with disabilities. In this session, we will discuss the top predictors of postschool success as well as postsecondary transition resources available in Utah. This session will offer information and insight relevant to professionals and families alike.
Suicide Risk and Prevention: Listening to the Autistic Community
Anne Kirby
Charlie Garlick Memorial Session
Room: Ragan Theatre
People on the autism spectrum are highly likely to experience suicidal thoughts and are at an increased risk of dying by suicide. In this Charlie Garlick memorial session, Dr. Kirby will provide an overview of current research evidence on suicide risk in the autistic community and insights learned from autistic people and mental health providers she has interviewed as part of an ongoing research study. Her research is conducted in partnership with autistic community members, working together toward suicide prevention for the autistic community.
Generative Learning Strategies Delivered via Telehealth
Tom Higbee
*BCBA CEU available
Room: SC 206 A, B, C
The COVID-19 pandemic has limited face-to-face instruction for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increased the utilization of telehealth service delivery by clinicians and researchers. Because children with ASD have varying levels of ability to attend to instruction delivered via telehealth, it is important to research, develop, and use effective teaching strategies that will lead to generative learning in this new instruction format. This presentation will discuss current research on telehealth instruction, including overviews of two of the most effective teaching methods: matrix training and instructional feedback.
11:30 -12:45 pm - Boxed lunches will provided in the Ballroom
12:45 - 1:45 pm
Keeping Your Head Above the Water: Self-Care for Caregiver Fatigue
Marette Monson
Room: Ballroom
Marette draws from personal experiences caring for several family members who are on the spectrum and combines it with her clinical knowledge in compassion fatigue to present some real tips for recharging when experiencing burnout and caregiver fatigue.
Autism Goes to College: A Panel Discussion
Facilitated by Jared Stewart
Room: Ragan Theatre
Autistic young adults attend college and receive post-secondary degrees at much lower rates then their neurotypical peers. However, there are students currently attending local universities with established graduation goals and plans in process now. Come listen to autistic students who have found ways to navigate the numerous complications they face in a college setting and discover what has helped them succeed.
Promoting Independence for Learners on the Autism Spectrum
Tom Higbee
*BCBA CEU available
Room: SC 206 A, B, C
Promoting independence is incredibly important. When individuals have more independence, they are generally able to access more desirable things in their environment. This session will discuss various strategies for promoting independence within individuals with ASD, including creating activity schedules to promote independent self-care and play skills and using scripts and icons to encourage communication during play and other activities.
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Recognizing Quality ABA Programs
Jane Carlson
Room: Ballroom
The number and variety of ABA service providers is growing in our state. It can be difficult to identify a provider who will be a good match for a particular consumer. This session will review key indicators of quality services and how to identify a behavior analyst who is a good match for your needs. Topics will include program types, staffing structures, scope of competence vs. scope of competence vs. scope of practice, social validity and ethical guidelines.
Autism Through the Lifespan: A Panel Discussion
Facilitated by Calleen Kenney
Room: Centre Stage
An autism diagnosis is a family affair and impacts the dynamics of each family in unique ways over time. Due to the lifelong nature and complexity of the diagnosis, parents may indicate high rates of stress associated with expenses, marital complications, mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, and other components of life. While this can seem daunting, connecting with other parents who share similar experiences can reduce stress. Come listen to parents share stories from their family experiences and ways they have adapted and captured the joy and understanding autism can afford in family life.
Supporting Individuals with Autism to Build Healthy Relationships
Wes Dotson
*BCBA CEU available
Room: Ragan Theatre
We will discuss the importance of relationships, how relationships are formed and maintained, and specific recommendations for how to help individuals with autism learn about and establish connections. This session will emphasize the vital role of individual preference, comfort, and consent when working in this area and explore resources that families and professionals can use when teaching individuals with autism how to recognize reciprocity awareness in relationships. Questions and discussion will be welcome and encouraged.
Building a Community of Belonging
Jennifer Call, Laurie Bowen
Room: SC 206 A, B, C
When a person feels they have a place where they belong, both the individual and their community benefit. Research indicates that, when people exist within a community of belonging, communities experience higher rates of sustained employment, healthier individuals and families, and increased security. While autism can be isolating for individuals with autism and their families, there are ways we can work together to establish belonging and connection throughout the community. Join Jennifer and Laurie as they share available resources for belonging in various community systems and ways we can all work better to ensure that those around us are known and welcome.
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Bridging Gaps Through Social Connections: A Panel Discussion
Facilitated by Tricia Nelson
Room: Ballroom
Many autistic individuals and families express feelings of social isolation in a variety of experiences and life events. There are countless gaps and barriers in services and supports associated with an autism diagnosis, which can place unnecessary stress on autistic people and their families as they navigate day-to-day living. Whether these gaps stem from lack of awareness, misunderstandings, or problematic core systemic processes, there are ways to bridge these gaps now and improve the quality of life for those in the autism community. Please join this important discussion as local panelists share examples of how they have addressed some of these gaps personally and professionally in recent years.
New Diagnosis, Now What?
Tina Persels
Room: Centre Stage
You are not alone. Come learn with other families about thoughts, strategies, and resources that can guide your child and your family through the next steps after a new diagnosis.
The Rocking Boy, A Personal Perspective of Growing Up with Autism
Spicer Carr
Room: Ragan Theatre
Join autistic composer-lyricist Spicer W. Carr as he discusses his memories and experiences growing up on the spectrum and performs songs from his new semi-autobiographical musical "The Rocking Boy". After the presentation, stay for a Q&A session where Spicer will answer questions ranging from living with autism, his career, and his artistic process. Please note, "The Rocking Boy" will receive a development production this coming June at UVU, co-produced by the Theatre for Youth and Education Center and the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism. More information on this production will be given at this presentation.
Promoting Generative Language
Caleb Stanley
*BCBA CEU available
Room: SC 206 A, B, C
Individuals with autism and related disabilities often have deficits in their verbal repertoires, which can impact their language and communication skills. Although traditional methods for increasing verbal behavior and other language skills have been effective, a common barrier when targeting language skills is that such responses often lack variability and generativity. One strategy that has been effective for facilitating the development of generative language is by incorporating teaching methods that allow for emergent responses to be emitted. The overarching aim of the session is to provide an overview of strategies that can be used to increase generative language skills by programming for emergent responses. The session will discuss the several methods and procedures that can be used to facilitate the emergence of generative language. Furthermore, discussion will also be allocated to outcomes resulting from the incorporation of such procedures. Implications and clinical consideration relating to the application of these methods will be discussed.