FREE POAC of PA VB Project Workshop

[Guest guest]

On Wednesday February 18, 2004, from 8:00 - 9:30 at Gwynedd Mercy

College, Barbera will present a POAC of PA workshop on the PA VB

Project.  Details of the project follow.

Applied Behavior Analysis/Verbal Behavior Model Classroom

PennsylvaniaProject Overview

2003/2004 School Year

 

As part of a continuing commitment to programs serving students with

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special

Education (BSE) has developed a collaborative partnership with

Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere (SAFE).  SAFE is a non-profit

group of parents of children with autism interested in sharing

information. SAFE's ultimate goal is to help individuals with autism

live full and independent lives. The SAFE organization is assisting the

BSE in the dissemination of information on a Verbal Behavior

approach to teaching children with autism. Twelve model sites across

the Commonwealth are acquiring extensive training in Applied Behavior

Analysis/Verbal Behavior and demonstrating the use of this approach

during the 2003/2004 School Year.

As a model site, staff receive training over the course of the year by

experts in the field of Verbal Behavior such as and Dr. Carbone

and Dr. Mark Sundberg, co-author of the Assessment of Basic Language

and Learning Skills (ABLLS). The training provided, at no cost to

programs, consists of group training for all model site participants,

weekly on-site support for implementation by a verbal behavior

consultant, and on going support from SAFE, PaTTAN an IU Autism

Consultants. In addition to training, programs received an ABLLS for

each student and a copy of Teaching Language to Children with Autism

and Other Developmental Disabilities by Mark L. Sundberg, PhD. and

W. Partington, Ph. D.

Commitment from the 12  model site included:

 Agreeing to utilize BF Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior and the

ABLLS 

within an autism support model classroom for the duration of the school

year.

Providing travel expenses, including meals and overnight

accommodations, and substitutes so that, at a minimum, the program

supervisor, classroom teacher, and speech and language

therapists could attend all training sessions and participate in on-site

implementation meetings.

Being willing to share information with all classroom staff,

instructional assistants, agency staff, and family members regarding

classroom practices and teaching strategies.

Completing follow-up activities and homework assignments between

training sessions, including the administration of the ABLLS to all

students by the designated dates.

Allowing visitors to observe the classroom, acting as a mentor to new

programs, and if requested, presenting student outcome data.

To register, email poacofpa

For additional information, see www.poac.net/pa