Region 13's E-Campus

Invited Speaker: Dr. Barry Prizant, CCC-SLP, co-developer of the SCERTS model and author of the best-selling book about autism, Uniquely Human. See presenter bio section for more about Dr. Prizant!

Problem behaviors remain one of the most difficult and stressful challenges for practitioners, parents and persons on the autism spectrum.  When such patterns of behavior are present, they not only challenge parents and professionals, but prevent learning and active participation in activities, and hinder the development of relationships with peers and adults. Progress has been made over the past two decades with the introduction of positive and preventive approaches to problem behavior.  However, practices following a behavior management approach remain constrained, as they have not yet infused a developmental and relationship-based perspective that focuses on enhancing children’s emotional regulatory abilities, and developing positive, trusting relationships with others. The most recent research in infant and child development and specific developmental disabilities such as autism, has documented the need to go beyond behaviorally-oriented approaches by incorporating developmental, emotional regulatory and relationship-based dimensions.  In this presentation, a “Bio-Psycho-Social” perspective will be presented that considers the interaction of physiological issues, cognitive and social-environmental issues.  Participants will learn about practical, respectful and innovative ways to assess, prevent and support a person with problem behaviors, and to design learning environments, supports and activities that enhance the ability to stay well-regulated emotionally, to maximize learning, social participation and relationships in everyday activities and routines.