Autism Webinar Series

Presenter: Kruti Acharya, MD, UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

Dr. Acharya will review the most recent data about health care transition for adolescents and young adults with IDD, describe standard of care for health care transition and highlight strategies to support the transition to adult-centered health care for this population.

Presenter: Meghan Burke, Ph.D., BCBA-D, UIUC Department of Special Education

In this presentation, we will outline the components of transition planning for your child with autism. Specifically, we will discuss transition assessments and goals, student involvement, and transition outcomes including post-secondary training and education, independent living, and employment.

Presenter: Kate Caldwell, PhD, UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

This presentation will give an overview of current policy affecting transition-aged youth with disabilities in the workforce. It will also discuss trends in the field, as well as strategies and best practices in disability employment services and supports. Finally, it will provide resources for those wishing to learn more.

Presenter: Kathy Carmody, MSW, Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

This presentation will discuss the community service system for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Illinois, including eligibility requirements, funding options, service models and strategies to promote maximum effectiveness and satisfaction with services. Kathy brings over 30 years of experience in Illinois and an extensive background in helping families understand and navigate the adult I/DD community system.

A collaboration with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities jointly sponsored by AAIDD and NADD

Presenters: Susan Kahan, MA, LCPC and Haleigh Scott, PhD UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

This presentation will be on how to take trauma-informed care principles and apply them to behavior planning. They will discuss basic trauma-informed care principles as well as positive behavior support principles and provide examples of how to adapt behavior plans taking into account a person’s trauma history. The webinar will focus on practical application of the material.

Presenter: Bennett Leventhal, MD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

Dr. Leventhal is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a Distinguished Life Fellow of both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Leventhal has been a leader in national and regional efforts to promote children’s mental health research and to create comprehensive, cutting-edge systems of care for children’s mental health.

Presenter: Susan Kahan, MA, LCPC
UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at a significantly increased risk of victimization and are more likely to exhibit symptoms of trauma than typical peers. This
webinar will discuss the factors that make individuals with ASD more vulnerable to traumatic events. Attendees will learn about the importance of considering trauma in the development of living and working environments, as well as in the development of behavior plans.

Presenter: Susan Kahan, MA, LCPC
UIC Department of Disability and Human Development

SkillsSystem (Brown, Brown & Dibiasio, 2013) is a curriculum developed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disability whose struggles with emotion regulation interfere with
independence, relationships and well-being. SkillsSystem is based on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) with a focus on emotion regulation skills that help move the individual toward clearly identified short and long term goals. We will discuss the system’s application in both individual and group settings, as well as its utility in CILAs and day programs.