Free Workshop Series on Developmental Disabilities
First session scheduled for November 16
Haddonfield, NJ—Bancroft has announced its annual Developmental Disabilities Workshop Series, which offers free education and training for parents and professionals from fall through spring. A nonprofit leader in programs for people with neurological challenges, Bancroft offers the workshop series as a public service. Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Farrington building on Bancroft’s Haddonfield Campus at 425 Kings Highway East in Haddonfield.
“We’re pleased to offer this popular series for the eighth year, featuring some of our top clinical experts and thought leaders in our field,” says Bancroft President Toni Pergolin. “It’s another way we fulfill our mission of creating ‘one world for everyone.’ ”
The first workshop, titled “Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom,” is slated for November 16. This workshop will examine the causes of and interventions for behavior problems in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. It will discuss such classroom techniques as managing the learning environment and developing a classroom management plan, approaches to increasing desired behaviors and decreasing problem behaviors, an interdisciplinary team approach and effective communication with families for continuity in the home.
Geared toward educators and other professionals in disabilities-related fields, the session will be presented by Elizabeth Fuzy M.Ed., BCaBA, supervisor of the Bancroft Early Education Program.
Future workshops are scheduled as follows:
January 18, 2012 Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome in a Public School Setting
February 15, 2012 Planning for the Needs of Adults with Autism (new this year)
March 7, 2012 Bullying from a Legal and Educational Perspective
March 21, 2012 Effective Goal Writing for IEP Success
April 18, 2012 Medical Developments in the Biology of Autism
For full workshop descriptions and listings of presenters, please see the chart below.
For more information or to register, call Pat Reid at (800) 774-5516 or email preid@bnh.org. To learn more about Bancroft, visit www.bancroft.org.
About Bancroft
Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft annually serves 1,300 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and acquired brain injuries through a wide range of programs. Founded in 1883, the nonprofit organization has sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Programs include early childhood, education, vocational, supported employment, structured day programs, rehabilitation, community living, behavioral treatment, and in-home and outpatient services.
Bancroft strives to ensure that every person is given opportunities for lifelong learning and fulfillment. It does this by altering perceptions and supporting people with neurological challenges in achieving their life goals as valued and respected members of our world. For more information, visit www.bancroft.org.
2011-2012
Bancroft Developmental Disabilities Workshop Series
| Date | Topic | Description | Presenter | Target Audience |
| 11/16/11 | Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom | This workshop will provide an introduction to functions of behavior, reinforcement and behavior intervention. Techniques specific to the classroom will include managing the learning environment, developing a classroom management plan, approaches to increasing desired behaviors and decreasing problem behaviors, an interdisciplinary team approach and effective communication with families for continuity in the home. | Elizabeth Fuzy M.Ed., BCaBA, supervisor of the Bancroft Early Education Program | Professionals |
| 01/18/12 | Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome in a Public School Setting | This workshop will focus on the unique needs, challenges and rewards of teaching children with Asperger syndrome in an integrated or self- contained classroom. It will explore strategies to promote social skills, effective communication techniques, reduction of sensory stimulation, increasing desired behaviors and decreasing inappropriate behaviors, development of classroom management plans, managing the learning environment and levels of reinforcement. | Sharon Jurman, senior director of Bancroft Early Childhood and Outreach Services | Professionals |
| 02/15/12New | Planning for the Needs of Adults with Autism | This workshop will focus on the social, emotional, clinical, medical, vocational and financial needs of the rapidly expanding population of adults with autism spectrum disorders. Discussion will include the needs for ongoing supports in community and residential settings, adult day services, supported employment and the right of decision-making for families and individuals. | Karen Parenti, MS, PsyD, senior clinical director, Bancroft’s New Jersey Adult Developmental Disabilities ServicesVictoria Sweeney, senior program director, Bancroft Community Vocational Services for Adults |
Families and Professionals |
| 03/07/12 | Bullying from a Legal and Educational Perspective | This workshop will focus on how bullying affects many students with disabilities, both as victims and as perpetrators. The presenter will define bullying and will discuss the school’s responsibilities to intercede when bullying occurs. The workshop will provide concrete advocacy strategies to address bullying in both a proactive and reactive manner. The presenter will also discuss ways to proceed when efforts to address bullying are not successful. | Melissa Wheatcroft, Esq., Bancroft’s vice president of program operations | Families and Professionals |
| 03/21/12 | Effective Goal Writing for IEP Success | This workshop will focus on developing IEP goals that are individualized, specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and time-limited. Discussion and exercises will touch on pre-assessment, data collection and how to develop objectives and strategies that lead to step-by-step achievement of created goals. | Sharon Jurman, senior director of Bancroft Early Childhood and Outreach Services | Professionals |
| 04/18/12 | Medical Developments in the Biology of Autism | Our understanding of autism and the medications used to treat autism are tightly linked. We currently view autism as a spectrum disorder; individuals diagnosed with autism share defining characteristics but remain highly individual. Similarly, medications used in the treatment of autism do not cure autism per se, but help decrease problematic symptoms and behaviors seen in people with autism. This workshop will discuss the commonly used medications that some persons with autism use. The indications, risk and benefits of these medications will be discussed. | Caroline Eggerding, MD, Bancroft’s vice president of clinical services and chief medical officer | Families and Professionals |
Media contact: Julie Walsh / 856-348-4006
Contact:
Margot MacKay
Brownstein Group
(215) 735-3470 x144
mmackay@brownsteingroup.com
Julie Walsh
Bancroft
(856) 348-4006
jwalsh@bnh.org
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