Series Workshops are a valuable component of the Asperger Program. These parent-centred training sessions are scheduled throughout the year and focus on topics such as behaviour support, social communication skills and independent living. Parent participation and sharing of ideas and experiences are strongly encouraged.
Workshops are paired with individualized consultation with a member of the multidisciplinary team made up of Speech and Language Pathologists, Behaviour / Communication (B/C) Consultants, Occupational Therapists, a Behaviour Psychologist, Social Workers and a Developmental Paediatrician.
Social Communication (Asperger Program)
The Social Communication series consists of 4 workshop sessions, an individual consultation with a Speech Language Pathologist and up to two individual follow-up consultations with a Behaviour Communication Consultant. This workshop is designed for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) between the ages of 12-18. Discussion begins with how some characteristics of AS affect communication and social interaction. We also explore the areas of theory of mind, cognition, affective education, friendship and bullying and anxiety. Various teaching strategies are introduced. Families work together with the Speech Language Pathologist and Behaviour Communication Consultant to implement appropriate strategies. This workshop is co-facilitated by a Speech Language Pathologist and a Behaviour Communication Consultant.
Behaviour (Asperger Program)
The Behaviour Series consists of 4 workshop sessions and up to two individual follow-up consultations with a Behaviour Communication Consultant. This workshop provides an introduction to behaviour analysis through developing an understanding of the function(s) of behaviour, the elements that may be maintaining or reinforcing the behaviour and how to select and teach an appropriate alternative. Participants learn how Asperger Syndrome affects behaviour, how to select and define a target behaviour, how to reasons / functions for a child’s behaviour through data collection and analysis, and identification of strategies to manage and change behaviour. The workshops will be interactive and include group discussion, video examples, case studies, demonstration and role playing.
Daily Living and Independence (Asperger Program)
The Daily Living and Independence Series consists of 4 workshop sessions and up to two individual follow-up consultations with a Behaviour Communication Consultant. Participants discuss the characteristics of Asperger Syndrome that make the development of daily living skills and independence more challenging for their children. The importance of teaching daily living skills in order to promote independence and enhance quality of life will be emphasized. The workshop includes an overview of the assessment and teaching process used to assist in the development of daily living and independence skills (such as environmental accommodations, prompting, chaining, reinforcement). Specific topics including the development of organizational skills, safety skills and personal hygiene will be addressed.