Education
The Autism Resource Center offers a number of educational programs for parents and professionals.
Information Resource Library
An extensive library of books and DVD’s are available for families and professionals to borrow. For a complete listing of titles click here.
A computer with board maker and other visuals software is available for families to make communication boards.
Parent/Professional Workshops
Specialists are invited many times throughout the school year to address a variety of topics. These sessions are held in the evening and are open to parents, professionals, and college students.
Tea with MD's
A Series sponsored by CANDI, The Autism Resource Center and PAL And Centro Las Americas features physicians from UMass Medical Center addressing concerns of families raising children with autism spectrum disorders and other mental health disorders.
For More information click here
IEP Clinics
Open to families who have children who are DDS or Autism Division eligible, parents meet with trained Special Education Advocate for an hour to review their child's IEP, to receive assistance and guidance on special education law procedures to request change in plans, and leave with a written plan of action. Clinics take place at The Autism Resource Center or DDS Family Support Centers Check calendar for dates and locations, registration is required contact the resource center for appointment time.
Visual Clinics
Open to families who have children who are DDS or Autism Division eligible, families may book a session at anytime at The Autism Resource Center to meet with a staff member to create visual systems to improve their child's access to communication utilizing Boardmaker, Visual Essentials and other software. Materials available to create boards, and portable communication systems. Clinics also scheduled at DDS Family Support Centers across the region. Check calendar for dates and locations, registration is required contact the resource center for appointment time.
Activities of Daily Living Clinics
Open to families who have children who are DDS or Autism Division eligible, parents meet with a COTA for an hour to discuss challenges they are having teaching their child with ASD activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, toileting and more, and leave with a written plan of action. Clinics take place at The Autism Resource Center or DDS Family Support Centers Check calendar for dates and locations, registration is required contact the resource center for appointment time.
Conferences
Conferences are open to both families and professionals along with others who are interested in learning more about enhancing the lives of those who have been diagnosed with Autism, PDD NOS or Asperger's. Information about Center sponsored conferences will be posted to the home page of this website.
October 27, 2011 Wright's Law 1 Day Conference.
Click here to download a brochure
Autism Conferences
For a listing of Autism Conferences in the New England area click here
Autism Resource Center SEPAC Training Partnership Grants
SEPACS within the service area of the Autism Resource Center may apply for a grant up to $250.00 to fund a speaker or workshop to be hosted by the host organization at a accessible public location. The topic of this session must be relevant to families of children with autism, but does not need to be exclusive to these families. This session must be open to the public, including all parents of the host school district and to parents of children with autism throughout Central Massachusetts. To download an application click here
Conference Grants for Families
Parents of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis, who live in the Central Massachusetts DDS area and are registered with the Autism Resource Center may apply for a grant to cover up to $250.00 of the attendance fee to a conference. Topic of conference must be relevant to autism diagnosis . There is a fixed amount allocated to this program and applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis. This grant will not cover CEU's for those who are professionals transportation, lodging or childcare. For an application click here
Autism 101
This six part series is offered twice a year for parents of newly diagnosed children. It covers an overview of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, an overview of supports offered by state agencies; educational rights workshop, an introduction to behavioral methods, biological interventions, and an organization workshop. Families may opt to attend all sessions or a single session, details can be found in the calendar and registration is required.
ABA for Parents
This 12 hour training course on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is designed for for parents of children with Autism. ABA is a researched based approach that has been shown to be effective in the education and treatment of children.
Parents who attend will gain an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of ABA, and how these are applied in the treatment and education of children with autism. Topics include:
What is ABA?
ABA and Effective Treatment Programs
Basic Concepts and Principle of ABA
Using ABA to teach
Using ABA to address problematic behavior
The class format is intended to provide parents with ample opportunity to discuss and apply what they are learning to their child, and to assist them in understanding how they can be effective in doing so. The course is taught by Board Certified Behavior Analysts from HMEA’s Children’s division Participants are provided with a copy of . Autism 24/7 A Family Guide to Learning at Home and in The Community as part of their registration fee. Details on dates and locations can be found in the calendar, space is limited and registration is required
Floortime for Parents
The Autism Resource Center, in conjunction with the Astra Foundation offers a course on DIR® /Floortime for Parents , twice a year DIR® is an abbreviation for Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based. DIR® is a model,,a framework,or thinking about a child’s complete development, from infancy into whole joyful personhood. While DIR® can be a helpful way to think about any child’s development, it is particularly useful in working with children with developmental delays. In this course, parents learn the basic principles of DIR®, and learn about Floortime, a strategic, emotion-driven way of playing and interacting with a child that helps a child initiate and respond at higher and higher developmental levels. Included is an awareness of the importance of understanding each child’s unique sensory profile and how to incorporate this knowledge into Floortime sessions. Participants will be provided with a copy of The Child with Special Needs , as part of their registration fee. Details on dates and locations can be found in the calendar, space is limited and registration is required
Empowering Families with Brain Gym (R) Parent Course
This unique and innovative class provides parents with tools and information to empower themselves and their children to better cope with anxiety and learning differences.
Parents will better understand underlying issues that may be affecting their child's success as well as learn movement-based Brain Gym tools that promote relaxation, focus and learning.
Each session builds upon the previous one. Instructor : Pam Formosa OTR/L who has a background in Occupational therapy and is a licensed Brain Gym Consultant. She owns and operates Pathways To Learning, serving children and families with learning differences. www.pathwaystolearning.org She has also recently authored FRAID NOT! Empowering Kids with Learning Differences. Participants receive a copy of this book as part of their registration fee. Details on dates and locations can be found in the calendar, space is limited and registration is required
Summer Institute
Teachers and paraprofessionals are given the opportunity to learn from professionals who specialize in the education of children within the Autism Spectrum. Sessions are held after school in late June. * Due to the severe weather this winter and extended school year for many school systems in central Massachusetts the Summer institute will not be offered in 2011.
