Challenging Behaviors – How to Prevent, Reduce and Replace

In-person training – Great Falls  

June 16, 2022     8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Using case studies and examples from your setting we begin the workshop highlighting the key concepts of applied behavior analysis, helping you to understand why challenging behaviors occur. We discuss the importance of designing supportive learning environments based upon the Pyramid Approach to Education® framework.

The next step in the workshop is to define behaviors which require intervention and establish the function of these behaviors. These skills are put into practice using our own case studies and furthermore applying this to your own learners. The second half of the workshop addresses strategies which can be used proactively and reactively to decrease the challenging behaviors which you see in your setting. (full description)      

Seven (7) OPI renewal units are available for this training. 

                Register here.

Free Workshops - Teaching Communication Skills // Managing Challenging Behaviors

CANCELLED by order of the State Superintendent - "Additionally, all OPI employees should plan on no in-person, external meetings for the remainder of the calendar year."


TEACHING CRITICAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

You will learn how to teach critical communication skills that lead to greater independence in the home, work, school and community settings. We review nine specific skills: requesting reinforcers, requesting help, requesting a break, indicating yes and no, waiting, following directions, schedule-following and transitioning. Through lecture, demonstrations, video and participatory activities, you will acquire specific teaching strategies that are relevant for anyone who has limited communication skills, regardless of their communicative modality (e.g., Picture Exchange Communication System [PECS], signing, device use, speech).

Great Falls    October 5      Location to be determined

Missoula        October 7      Location to be determined

GUIDE TO MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

Beginning with key concepts of applied behavior analysis, we focus on the conditions under which behavior occurs. We discuss the importance of designing supportive learning environments that address skill deficits prior to or while simultaneously addressing unwanted contextually inappropriate behaviors. Through discussions, video examples and hands-on activities you will identify and define unwanted behaviors, analyze why the behavior is occurring, determine alternative skills to replace unwanted behaviors, review differential reinforcement procedures, and discuss proactive strategies and reactive strategies. The workshop concludes by showing how you and your team can evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of your behavior plans as you put your new strategies into practice.

Great Falls     October 6     Location to be determined

Missoula        October 8      Location to be determined  

Great Falls - Breaking Through Barriers Conference April 17 - 18, 2020

Find More Information and Register Here

A two-day conference and vendor fair for parents of and providers for children and adults with medical diagnoses and developmental delays.

    

               

SCHEDULE:

Friday, April 17 
    
Lunch 11:30 - 1 pm Exhibit Hall Open / Pre-paid Box Lunches Available

Pre Conference Workshops

• Pediatric Respite Worker Training by Kristen McGuire and Louisa Libertelli-Dunn (start time 12 noon)
• Baffling Babies and Toddlers - Sensory Strategies That Work by Maureen Kane-Wineland, MOT/L and Sue Swindeman, MOT/L (start time 1 pm, required textbooks - extra fee)

5:00 pm Happy Hour / No-host Bar / Exhibit Hall Scavenger Hunt

6:30 pm Banquet featuring Keynote by Shyla Patera: "How to Help Your Child Live His/Her Best Life"

Saturday, April 18 Exhibit Hall Opens 8 am / Continental Breakfast Included

9 am Keynote: Effective Co-Parenting: Putting the Child First, by Joe & Susan Laudadio

10:15 - 11:30 am : Concurrent Workshops

• The Extinction Burst: Making Behavior Plans Work by Joe Laudadio
• Stress Relief: Powerful Tools for Caregivers by Katrin Finch
• First Timers Guide to IEPs by Louisa Libertelli-Dunn

Lunch 11:30 - 1 pm Exhibit Hall Open / Pre-paid Box Lunches Available

1 pm - 5:00 pm: Main Workshop in Conference Hall
Sensory Tool Chest for Elementary Students (Wineland and Swindeman)

1 pm - 3:00 pm Concurrent Workshops in Classrooms

• First Timers Guide to IEPs by Louisa Libertelli-Dunn

3:00 - 5:00 pm: Concurrent Workshops in Classrooms

• Build an Exit Strategy Into Your Child's IEP by Joe Laudadio
• Stress Relief: Powerful Tools for Caregivers by Katrin Finch

Practical & Effective Strategies for Students with Anxiety - Great Falls - March 26

March 26, 2020

With up to one in four children struggling with anxiety in this country, over- whelmed adults are in need of a new approach as well as an effective and easy-to- implement toolkit of strategies that work.

Through the use of case studies, humorous stories, and examples of common chal- lenging situations, participants will learn easy to implement tools, strategies, and interventions for reducing anxiety, increasing self-regulation, accurate thinking and self-monitoring in students.

More information here. 

Register here. 

STAR Autism Training 2019/2020

Missoula: October 7-8  FULL - no wait list
(Broadway Inn and Convention Center)

Billings: November 4-5 - FULL - no wait list
     (Billings Hotel and Convention Center)


Bozeman: November 6-7  FULL - no wait list
     (Comfort Inn)  

Great Falls: March 2-3

This comprehensive two-day workshop provides participants with detailed examples and practice activities on how to implement the evidence-based practices identified in the National Standards Report (2009). The STAR Program is used to provide examples. Appropriate content connected to the common core curriculum is presented and detailed information on the three evidenced-based instructional methods of discrete trial training, pivotal response training and teaching through functional routines are shared.

Participants will learn how to implement these strategies through structured lesson plans and a curriculum scope and sequence. The workshop will include extensive data collection systems and participants will learn to collect and use data for instructional decision making.

The trainings will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Read more and register here.
  

2019 PECS Level I and Level II Trainings

August 19/20         Kalispell - Level 1         Hampton Inn
Sept. 30/Oct. 1       Billings – Level 1          Hampton Inn - 5110 Southgate Drive

October 2/3            Billings – Level 2*        Hampton Inn - 5110 Southgate Drive

October 7/8            Sidney – Level 1           Wingate Hotel

October 28/29       Great Falls – Level 1     Holiday Inn (5th ST.)

October 30/31       Missoula – Level 1         Doubletree Hotel

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech.  Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting.  Participants will learn how to implement the six phases of PECS, plus attributes, through presenter demonstrations, video examples and role-play opportunities. 

PECS Level 1 Training:

This intensive two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS.

PECS Level 2 Training: Prerequisite: PECS Level 1 Training

This two-day training focuses on creating lessons and activities to promote communication throughout the day. Beginning with a review of the Pyramid Approach to Education as it relates to PECS, we guide you in refining your PECS implementation and discuss current challenges you have experienced within the six phases.

Find more information and register here.

iPad Boot Camp: Awesome New iPad Apps, Adaptations, and Accessories

NOTE - THIS TRAINING IS WAITING APPROVAL FROM THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

 

 

Great Falls

August 8/9, 2019

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 1100 5^th St

12 OPI CEUs

 

This two-day course will discuss and demonstrate the top 50 apps to support students who experience various functional limitations; 20 new accessories and adaptations; new accessibility features of the latest IOS operating system; 101 ways to use video to support physical, sensory, communication and intellectual disabilities; what is new in accessibility features; hands-on fabrication of a key guard for an iPad – for communication access; hands-on fabrication of an adaptive stylus for the iPad using Instamorph, PVC, Microfiber Mesh, and Universal Cuff; hands-on fabrication of a tactile graphic overlay for vision impairments using Remo 1, foamies and transparency film; hands-on fabrication of a multi-use iPad holder for hand free access; hands-on fabrication of a vertical iPad holder; creating switch access receipt to work with a drone and web based interfaces such as YouTube and PBS Kids.org; hands-on exploration of new switch interfaces for the iPad; new iPad adaptations to support users who experience physical, sensory, or communication impairments; overview of new amazing apps for vision, hearing, communication, learning and intellectual impairments; app feature mapping – how to select an appropriate app; apps and adaptations for students who experience limitation in reading and writing; apps for reminding, finding and prompting for individuals who experience executive function impairments.  

This course scored a 5.0 on, "Would you suggest this course to others?"

Quotes from previous attendees: "Great visuals, videos and hands-on!"  "Therese was awesome!"  "I loved how practical this was."  "It was an awesome workshop. I absolutely loved it. Therese has a great sense of humor and is fun to listen to!"
 

Read more and register here.


Course Objectives – participants will be able to:

• Identify at least 10 different built in features on an iPad to support students who experience various disabilities


• Identify at least five resources for finding appropriate apps for specific functional limitations


• Describe how to use the SETT framework when electing an appropriate app


• Describe five different ways to access the iPad for physical limitations


• Build a multiuse iPad holder


• Build a scan and read station to support an iPad for students who experience print disabilities


• Fabricate a tactile overlay for GarageBand for vision impairments


• Build an adaptive stylus for someone who is unable to hold a stylus


• Identify and describe 10 different uses of the iPad camera for physical, sensory, communication or cognitive limitations


• Identify three different ways to interact with the iPad or iPhone without ever touching the device


• Describe a five minute solution for creating an adaptive keyguard for a communication app


• Identify at least five apps and iPad accessories to support students who experience executive function impairments
Identify and describe at least five apps and adaptation for deaf and hard of hearing


Identify and describe at least five apps for self regulation


Identify and describe at least five mounting solutions for a wheelchair, table, bed or floor

 

 

 

AAC & Proloquo2Go: How to Program for a Better Implementation and Outcome!

Glendive - August 19, 2019     Holiday Inn Express

Billings - August 20, 2019     Billings Hotel and Conv. Center

Bozeman - September 23, 2019  Comfort Inn

Havre - October 7, 2019   Best Western Plus

Great Falls -   October 8, 2019  Holiday Inn

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day

What is “best practice” for use of AAC with a student? Attendees will receive information to confidently help individuals who rely on AAC. This session will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn the “ins and outs” of the iOS app, “Proloquo2Go” from www.assistiveware.com. Participants will learn to navigate the app, discover new features and practice programming the app. The group will review case studies and talk about specific student’s needs. Julie will share teaching strategies so that interactions with AAC/Proloquo2Go are enjoyable for the student, the family,  instructor, and staff.

Attendees say: "This was the best information!  Loved it!" and "Julie is fantastic. Her excitement is contagious and her knowledge is amazing. I loved the real life examples."

Register here.
This training is FREE from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project. Six OPI renewal units will be available for this training. ASHA CEUs will not be available.

Julie A. Doerner, M.S. CCC-SLP has been a nationally certified and state licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for 16 years and she currently works for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation Tribal Health. Julie has worked as an SLP in public schools, private practice, rehab settings, and most recently at the University of Montana where she worked for the state assistive technology program, MonTECH, and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. In that position her focus was on Augmentative Alternative Communication. Julie has been working with the Proloquo2Go app since 2012.

STAR Autism Training

STAR Autism Training

STAR Autism Trainings Kalispell: March 4-5 Missoula: March 6-7 - FULL / registration closed. Sidney is now  Billings: March 26-27      (Sidney had only 5 people register so this training was moved to Billings.) Billings: April 8-9 - FULL / registration closed. Great Falls: April 10-11 This comprehensive two-day workshop provides participants with detailed examples  and practice activities on how to implement the evidence-based practices identified in  the National Standards Report (2009). The STAR Program is used to provide examples.  Appropriate content connected to the common core curriculum is presented and detailed information on the three evidenced-based instructional methods of discrete trial training, pivotal response training and teaching through functional routines are shared.  Participants will learn how to implement these strategies through structured lesson plans and a curriculum scope and sequence. The workshop will include extensive data collection systems and participants will learn to collect and use data for instructional decision making.  Fourteen OPI renewal units will be available for this training.  This training is FREE from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project. YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH DAYS OF THE TRAINING. Each training is limited to 30 people.

Register here. 

(If you register for Billings on March 27/28 the post-registration screen and email will still show Sidney as the location. Ignore that and go to Billings.)

Autism Great Falls 7th Annual Autism Awareness Conference! DATE CHANGE TO APRIL 6TH

DATE CHANGED TO APRIL 6TH

Register here. 

PECS Level I and II Registration Now Open

October 29/30           Great Falls - Level 2*

November 1/2            Billings - Level 1  FULL

December 3/4            Kalispell - Level 2*

December 5/6            Missoula - Level 2*

​​(Training locations to be determined. *You must have attended a PECS Level 1 training to attend a Level 2 training.)

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech.  Training in PECS begins by teaching a spont​aneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting.  Participants will learn how to implement the six phases of PECS, plus attributes, through presenter demonstrations, video examples and role-play opportunities.   

CEUs: 12 OPI renewal units. ASHA CEUs are not available.

PECS Level 1 Training: 

This intensive two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS.

PECS Level 2 Training: Prerequisite: PECS Level 1 Training

This two-day training focuses on creating lessons and activities to promote communication throughout the day. Beginning with a review of the Pyramid Approach to Education as it relates to PECS, we guide you in refining your PECS implementation and discuss current challenges you have experienced within the six phases.

NOTE:  EACH ATTENDEE MUST BRING THEIR OWN COPY of the Second Edition PECS Training Manual to the training. Manuals may not be shared among attendees.  You will NOT be admitted to the training if you do not bring an individual copy of that manual.

You can register here. 

2018 MYTransitions/MAR Conference

November 14-16, 2018

Best Western Heritage Inn, Great Falls, MT

Find more information here. 

Expanding Your Toolbox: How to Integrate the Zones of Regulation Across School Settings

Date: September 25
Time: 8:30AM to 3:30PM
Location: Hampton Inn, Great Falls
6 OPI Renewal Units
Cost: Free
Flyer LINK
Registration LINK

Description:

This training will provide strategies on how to integrate the Zones of Regulation within the classroom and school environment in connection with developing regulation tools to help guide a student’s self-regulation skills. Participants will be provided hands on materials and guidance on how to expand Zones of Regulation daily within their instructional practice to best support student’s social and emotional needs.

Positive Behavioral Practice Based Strategies for Self-Regulation

Great Falls
April 6th

A thorough presentation of positive behavioral interventions in the classroom will be presented to conference attendees. Discussion will center around students with learning disabilities. Children with Serious Emotional Disorder and behavioral concerns will be thoroughly discussed. The audience will be able to apply the in-formation presented through videos, activities, and examples of how to set up positive plans for children in a variety of environmental settings immediately in their respective situations. The training will also contain discussions about practice based interventions such as Superflex Super Hero curriculum and Zones of Regulation in the classroom. We will examine the common pitfalls that sabotage behavioral intervention plans and thoroughly describe the common 504 accommodations presented to people

See the flyer here.

(72 attendees)

Oppositional, Defiant & Disruptive Children and Adolescents: Non-medication Approaches to the Most Challenging Behaviors

March 19 - Billings
March 20 - Great Falls
March 21 - Missoula

$219.99

Single Registration

$199.99

Single Registration: Advance Price (ends 2/27/2018)

$199.99

2+ Group Rate: per person

Course Description:

Children and adolescents with ODD, ADHD, Asperger’s, anxiety, mood and disruptive disorders provide constant clinical and parenting challenges. Attend this seminar and learn new, effective non-medication strategies for your client’s most challenging behaviors including:

• Tantrums
• Running out/away
• Noncompliance
• Nagging
• Refusing to work/help
• Yelling/screaming
• Bullying
• Panic/anxiety reactions
• Lack of follow through
• Not following directions

You will walk away with immediate strategies for out of control behaviors and techniques for emotional regulation along with long-term treatment strategies to help kids at home and school. Amanda Crowder, LCSW, is a clinical expert and has worked with the most challenging kids both in clinical and school settings. Through the use of case studies and action oriented handouts, you will leave this seminar with solutions to turn your most challenging kids around.

Find more information here. 

Please note: This training is provided by PESI and we will not be offering attendance scholarships as we are unfamiliar with the presentation/presenter. 

Autism: Managing Frustration & Anxiety and Teaching Social Skills - Great Falls

Sat, March 24, 2018

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM MDT

Jed Baker, PhD. comes to Great Falls to share his vast expertise in “Managing Frustration & Anxiety and Teaching Social Skills.” Individuals on the autism spectrum and those with behavioral challenges often have difficulty regulating their feelings and interacting socially. This autism conference describes how to help individuals and their caregivers handle meltdowns and design effective plans to prevent frustration and anxiety. It will also detail effective social skills training strategies for all individuals and review some common skills needed for young adults, including the realm of sexuality and dating.

FInd more information here. 

Workshop - A Guide to Managing Challenging Behaviors

December 6 (8:00AM to 4:00PM)Hampton Inn (Great Falls)

December 7 (8:00AM to 4:00PM)
Fifth Avenue Christian Church (Havre)

6 OPI Renewal Units
Cost is free

The Guide to Managing Challenging Behaviors training involves an in-troduction to broad-spectrum behavior analysis in the form of the Pyramid Approach to Education. Discussion focuses on the importance of addressing students’ skill deficits prior to or simultaneously with ad-dressing behavior excess or other unwanted behavior is explored. In ad-dition, issues related to teaching skills are addressed. This workshop teaches participants to determine and define unwanted behavior targeted for intervention. Participants are assisted with understanding the func-tional assessment of behavior, and the selection and teaching of alterna-tive responses to replace unwanted behavior. Participants are exposed to antecedent strategies designed to reduce unwanted behavior as well as differential reinforcement procedures and consequence based strategies. Finally, issues related to the evaluation and monitoring of behavior plans are discussed.

Registration LINK

For more information contact Aileen Couch, Region II CSPD Coordinator, at cspd@blueponyk12.com or call 406-395-8550 (ext. 6714).

PECS Level I Trainings

Great Falls - September 18th and 19th    (Hilton Garden Inn)

Bozeman - September 20th and 21st       (Homewood Suites)

Kalispell - October 2nd and 3rd                (Hampton Inn)

Missoula - October 4th and 5th                (Hilton Garden Inn)

This intensive two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech. Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting.

NOTE:  PECS REQUIRES THAT EACH ATTENDEE MUST BRING THEIR OWN COPY of the Second Edition PECS Training Manual with Data Forms CD to the training. Manuals may not be shared among attendees. 

You will NOT be admitted to the training if you do not bring an individual copy of that manual.

Register here.

Implementing Social Thinking Concepts and Vocabulary: A Day to Develop Team Creativity

Great Falls - October 11, 2017
Havre - October 12, 2017

It’s time to get practical! Learn about three core treatment-based frameworks and more than 20 unique strategies based on Social Thinking Vocabulary and related activities. Teach students to better interpret and respond to their social world by exploring how to engage in richer social observation and making smart guesses to discover hidden social rules. Learn systematic and logical ways to encourage social responsibility by learning about our own and others’ social thinking. Explore how our thinking about a situation and what we know about others can help us navigate and create the expected behaviors that support our relationships. Learn how we make these abstract concepts more concrete by reviewing a variety of activities through clinical examples.

Participants will work in groups to learn how to use Social Thinking concepts across settings, creating one or two lesson plans of their own. We explore how to make lessons applicable across a variety of environments and focus on enabling students to apply these lessons in their lives. 

Register here. 

TEACCH - Fundamentals in Autism 2017

Great Falls – October 23 and 24, 2017 Bozeman – October 25 and 26, 2017      The Fundamentals in Autism is a two-day workshop that will provide participants with an overview of the learning styles of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Structured TEACCHing strategies.   Structured TEACCHing is based on the understanding of the symptoms and learning styles of individuals with autism and the use of visual supports to provide meaning, promote independence and capitalize on the individual’s strengths. Participants will also learn behavior management strategies using Structured TEACCHing principles. The format of this workshop will include presentations, videos, interactive discussions, and small group activities. At the completion of the training, participants will be able to: Identify characteristics and learning styles of Autism Spectrum Disorder Develop individualized schedules and work/activity systems Develop meaningful visual structure that promotes independence with educational activities Problem solve behaviors using Structured TEACCHing principles  This course is designed for educators, paraeducators, psychologists, and speech language pathologists.  Go here to register. Attendance is limited to 50 people. Six OPI renewal units will be available for this training. This training is FREE from the OPI Montana Autism Education Project. NOTE: This is a different, shorter training than the TEACCH trainings we have previously provided.