October 26, 2009, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

A menu-based planning model that provides teachers and case teams with streamlined protocols for creating or adapting lesson plans for students with ASDs and other cognitive, sensory and social differences. The result is an Integrated Lesson Plan that melds academic with therapeutic objectives directly in the classroom for authentic learning. A qualitative and quantitative data collection tool is embedded in the model to document best practices. Includes planning templates and protocols.

Speaker: Ms. Valerie Paradiz

Valerie Paradiz, PhD, develops educational programs for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), including the pioneering ASPIE School, and has been featured in the New York Times, Redbook Magazine, and The Guardian.

She is the developer of Integrated Self Advocacy (ISA)®, a curriculum and training series for educators and therapists who wish to support individuals with ASDs in achieving greater ability in self-advocacy. ISA® also includes workbooks and skill-building activities for individuals on the autism spectrum of all ages.

Valerie’s memoir, Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley, 2005) is the compelling story of the author's experiences raising her autistic son, their involvement together in the advocacy community, and her own ultimate diagnosis with Asperger syndrome.

She speaks nationally and internationally on parenting strategies, improving and creating programs for individuals with ASDs, strengthening advocacy skills, and fostering emerging talents and focused interests.

Valerie is a member of the national board of directors of the Autism Society of America (ASA), where she serves as co-chair of the Panel of Individuals on the Spectrum (PSA) and is a member of the Government Relations Committee. In an advisory capacity, Valerie serves the US Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA), Pace University’s Center for Teaching and Research in Autism (TARA) and the editorial board of The Autism File magazine.

Dr. Paradiz has two books forthcoming with the Autism Asperger Publishing Company (AAPC) relating to building strong educational programs and advocacy skills for students and adults with ASDs in public and private settings. Outside the autism fields, she enjoys an active career in literary and non-fiction writing.

October 27, 2009, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

In this workshop, Daily Life Therapy®, Behavior Management under Daily Life Therapy® and Teaching Strategies under Daily Life Therapy® will be covered.

Daily Life Therapy® general and specific philosophy will be explained in detail to deepen each participant’s understanding of Daily Life Therapy®. The uniqueness of Daily Life Therapy® is derived from the integrative aspects of behavior management as part of the educational approach in its entirety. In order for Behavior Management to be effective, continuous educational progress in all areas must be achieved.The success of Behavior Management while implementing the philosophy of Daily Life Therapy® and educating students at Boston Higashi School will be explained in detail while introducing our Behavior Management strategies

Teaching is not a one-way process.Teaching always involves two-way communication. Not only when the teacher/parents teach, but when students learn from the teaching, the teaching is completed. For successful teaching, clear teaching strategies need to be developed while considering teachers’ attitudes, approaches and teaching skills; teaching environment and materials; and students’ characters and learning styles. Examples of detailed teaching strategies under Daily Life Therapy® will be introduced

Speaker: Toshihiro Ogimura

 Trained in the philosophy of Daily Life Therapy at Musashino Higashi Gakuen School in Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Toshihiro Ogimura has been a part of the Boston Higashi School since 1993. He started as a Residential Instructor in the High School Division, working directly with students with autism, implementing and teaching the tenets of Daily Life Therapy. He is currently the Director of the Training Institue , wherein he develops training programs for school staff (about 230), parents, and as well as outside agencies, both national and international. Mr. Ogimura will also talk about "Enhancing the Quality of Life Through a Residential Program."