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This workshop will present a short Early Intervention overview and focus on the benefits of inclusion and the importance of the home/school connection.

Applied Behavior Analysis is the science that helps us understand why behavior happens, both in general and specifically related to your child. Fortunately, the major causes of behavior are external, and thus subject to your direct control. Dr. Marone will discuss underlying concepts and specific aspects that will allow you to better determine why your children do the things they do. Parent skills and strategies for promoting behavior improvement at home, using strictly positive means, will be discussed. Critical skills to teach your children will be specified. Simple but effective ways of measuring change will be presented. Please bring your questions and real life examples.

Learn about Assistive Technology and resources that can help your child with academic development and/or communication.

Transition between programs can be both an exciting and challenging time for young children and their families. In this workshop, the transition process from Early Intervention to preschool services for children with special needs will be described, including a focus on the referral process from Golden Gate Regional Center Early Start services to San Francisco Unified School District’s preschool programs. Information will be provided to assist families in planning for and making this transition as smooth as possible.

An expert in disability law and advocacy will provide information on how to develop a behavior plan through the IEP process. The presenter will use the principles of a behavior plan to guide parents through implementation of strategies to avoid expulsion and suspension.

What do you need to know in order to plan for your child’s future? Workshop attendees will receive information on Special Needs Trusts.

This session addresses the complex challenges children (ages 0 - 12) on the autism spectrum experience in peer play. Integrated Play Groups, a research-based model for designing and implementing quality inclusive peer play programs will be highlighted. Methods to enhance social reciprocity and symbolic representation through guided participation in play will be illustrated.

This lecture is designed for parents with children ages 1-5 who have speech or language delays/disorders. This workshop will teach you how to take advantage of your everyday routines to help your child speak more clearly, learn more vocabulary, put more words together, and understand directions and questions better. You are your child's life teacher and every moment is a learning opportunity whether it is during meal time, bath time, or dressing. You will leave with a better understanding of how to teach your child better speech and language skills all day every day.

An overview of the TEACCH methodology and how it applies to the classroom / other environments.

This workshop that will explore how to be an active participant throughout the IEP process, including assessment and the determination of placement, programs, and services. Presenter will discuss how to get organized, get educated, and how to advocate for your child.

Representatives from various community agencies that provide services to young adults and adults with disabilities will provide an overview of their transition programs, including information on eligibility criteria and how to access services for youth ages 14 to 24.

Just Added!
Have you ever gone to an IEP and tried to explain why your child needs an accommodation, or why they are unique? Everyone has a story, but parents and caregivers of a child with special needs have very unique stories. As parents and care givers wouldn't you like to tell your story in a way that will motivate and inspire your Childs teacher, principle, school psychologist, and anyone else who works with your child in the Special Education System? Once you have learned how to use your story to create change; this powerful new skill can be used in a multitude of sitting and system. The UACF Institute has developed a training model that can help you develop your own story telling strategy for success. Story telling when used right can be one of your best advocacy tools. Arm and empower yourself with what you know best, your story!

This workshop will focus on commonly occurring difficulties that arise in special needs families. Dr. Marone has spent 35 years assisting parents in fixing these problems, over and over. He can describe for you directly and concisely exactly what to do to overcome any one or more of the problems listed. As time permits, Dr. Marone will address other troublesome behavior presented by members of the audience. Attendance at the morning session on Applied Behavior Analysis is recommended.

Representatives from community agencies that may be involved in a Transition IEP, especially the exit IEP, will discuss what information should be in the IEP in order to provide services to students when they leave the school district, such as a record of grades, reading comprehension, writing abilities, behavior issues, and physical supports needed.

There is a growing body of research about the development of early literacy skills by very young children, and we know that early literacy begins at birth. This workshop will cover the components of early literacy and ways to support early literacy learning for all children.

This workshop will include a discussion of several risk factors for speech and language delays in very young children (ages 0-5). Different communication disorders often seen in children will be presented, including children who may be late talkers, have developmental delays, display possible indicators of autism, or have more complex communication disorders. Identification and intervention strategies will be shared, including things that families can do in daily activities.

This workshop provides an overview of state and federal special education referral and assessment rights with a special emphasis on referral procedures, the Student Study Team (SST) process, the response to intervention (RTI) guidelines for students with learning disabilities, and eligibility options for students with ADD/ADHD.

A Limited Conservatorship is designed as a protective proceeding for those individuals whose developmental disability impairs their ability to care for themselves or their property, but is not severe enough to require a full conservatorship. Attend this workshop and learn more about this important option for families of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

For three years, Performing Arts Workshop artists have taught year-long theatre residencies to special needs and general education students in five San Francisco schools through Project ARISE. In this workshop, participants will learn a little about ARISE's initial findings, as well as experience some of the theatre-based activities from ARISE classrooms. See why teachers feel that the performing arts offer students with special needs an "opportunity to shine" in the classroom.

This workshop focuses on 6 years of a family's home-based intervention, facilitated peer play and Floortime to help their child overcome autism's ill-effects, to make friends, and to be successfully included in general education classrooms.

This workshop will provide parents and professionals with the tools needed to improve children's sleep schedules. The workshop is appropriate for caregivers of children of all ages. Behavior Analyst Melissa Willa will describe a variety of tactics used to promote good sleep habits. Participants will leave the workshop with an outlined plan of action for their child.

A parent-professional introduces the "Work First" philosophy adopted by Casa Allegra Community Services for those it serves in day programs & living supports, including youth with disabilities. Using Customized Employment strategies, people enjoy choices among wage jobs or participate in self-employment through membership in one of the state's consumer-owned cooperatives (Keep Marin Green) and/or operation of several vending machines placed in local business sites. Others are developing their own microenterprise ideas in a recently-opened small-business incubator.