11th Annual National Speaker Conference
12th Annual National Speaker conference
Thank you for your interest in our National Speaker Conference. Check back soon to see who will be coming in 2013 to
the 12th annual national speaker conference!
Morning Workshop
The Hidden Curriculum
This presentation will address the Hidden Curriculum and its applicability to individuals on the autism spectrum. The Hidden Curriculum is comprised of items that are not typically taught to neurotypical children and youth, but are assumed and expected knowledge. Despite not being directly taught, the Hidden Curriculum is extremely important. Violation of Hidden Curriculum rules can have an adverse affect on school performance, physical well-being and how well a student/child is able to positively relate to the community and home.
Afternoon Workshop
Difficult Moments: Strategies for Students with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Stress, anxiety, and self-regulation challenges are common in middle and high school youth with high functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger Syndrome and are considered to be the most frequently observed characteristics in these individuals.
The stress experienced by individuals with HFA/AS may manifest itself in many ways, but it sometimes leads to tantrums, rage, and meltdowns. This escalating sequence seems to follow a three-stage cycle: (a) rumbling, (b) rage and (c) recovery. This sequence can be problematic as many children and youth with HFA/AS often endure the cycle unaware that they are under stress.
This session will overview the cycle and discuss strategies that can be used at each stage. In addition, prevention strategies will be discussed. Because of the combination of innate stress and anxiety and the difficulty that children and youth with HFA/AS have in understanding how they feel, it is important that those who work and live with them understand the cycle of tantrums, rage, and meltdowns as well as interventions that can be used during this cycle.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Define the hidden curriculum.
- Explain the hidden curriculum's applicability to school, community and home.
- Identify hidden curriculum areas and items across preschool, middle school, high school and adulthood.
- Describe the cycle of tantrums, rage and meltdowns.
- Identify strategies that can be used during each stage.
- Discuss strategies that can help prevent meltdowns and teach stress, anxiety and self-regulation management skills.
Presented by
Brenda Smith Myles, PhD
Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, a consultant with the Ziggurat Group and the Education and Treatment Services Project for Military Dependent Children with Autism.
Brenda is the recipient of the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award, the Princeton Fellowship Award and the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Developmental Disabilities Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award. Brenda has made over 500 presentations all over the world and written more than 150 articles and books on ASD including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with Southwick) and The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated rules in Social Situations.
In addition, she served as the co-chair of the National ASD Teacher Standards Committee and was on the National Institute of Mental Health’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s Strategic Planning Consortium. Myles is also on the executive boards of several organizations, including the Organization for Autism Research and ASTEP – Asperger Syndrome Training and Education Program. In addition, in the latest survey conducted by the University of Texas, she was acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in ASD in the world.
Additional Evening Workshop
This year we are also featuring a one-of-a-kind Evening Workshop and Reception
Inside Autism: Up-Close & Personal
5:00 pm — 7:00 pm
Join us for a special reception and workshop created and presented by three teens with an autism spectrum disorder. Hear firsthand what it is like to live with ASD.
Cancellation Policy: If you have registered and cannot attend, you may send a substitute without penalty. A $50 cancellation fee will apply to all registrants who give written notice by October 4, 2012. No refunds will be granted after that date. Purchase orders are considered the same as a check and the same policy will apply.
Conference Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. | The Hidden Curriculum Presentation |
| 10:00 to 10:15 a.m. |
Networking Break at Book Store and Vendor Tables |
| 10:15 to Noon | Difficult Moments Presentation |
| Noon to 12:45 pm |
Lunch Break and Networking at Book Store and Vendor Tables |
| 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. | Difficult Moments Presentation |
| 2:30 to 2:45 p.m. |
Networking Break at Book Store and Vendor Tables |
| 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. | Difficult Moments Presentation |
Conference Cost
Thank you for your interest in our National Speaker Conference. Check back soon to see who will be coming in 2013!