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• Mitochondrial Disease & Autism: What Happens When the Battery Runs LOW?

  • When
    18 Sep 2017
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Autism Connection of PA, 35 Wilson Street #101, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
  • Spaces left
    42

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  Mitochondrial Disease & Autism:
  What Happens When the Battery Runs LOW?

  A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

   Presented by
  

  Kristi Wees, M.S. Chem

   

  Monday, September 18, 2017

  6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  

  
  

  AOTA, Act 48, and Social Workers Credits Available

  
  

  Autism Connection of PA

  35 Wilson Street #101

  Pittsburgh, PA 15223

  
  

  Recommended audience includes parents and extended families of children with ASD, teachers, paraprofessional and BHRS support staff, occupational therapists, guidance counselors, social workers, RN’s, clinicians, advocates, behavior specialists, and all those desiring knowledge about mitochondrial disease and autism spectrum disorders
  

  
  

  Biography:
  Kristi Wees received her Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Penn State University and was one of the inaugural graduates of the Schreyer’s Honors College at Penn State. She went on to complete her Master’s degree studies at UCLA in Chemistry. She has extensive industrial experience as well as hands on medical and clinical experience as she navigated her own daughter’s medical journey back to restored health. She is a passionate advocate for all children no matter what the diagnosis, because she believes that every family deserves the best quality of life together with their child.

  
  Learning Objectives:
  
  At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to:

  
  

  • locate where the mitochondria are found in a human cell and what their purpose is
  • define how impaired mitochondrial function can impact a person with autism
  • identify potential toxins to the mitochondria which may impair function
  • identify compounds and nutrients which are essential for optimal mitochondrial function
  • describe how improving one's mitochondrial function may be able to positively impact the health and behaviors of an individual with autism
  • be able to list the type of testing that can be discussed with one's physician to test for mitochondrial disease and dysfunction

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• Person First ABA

  • When
    21 Sep 2017
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Autism Connection of PA, 35 Wilson Street #101, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
  • Spaces left
    44

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  Person First ABA

  A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

   Presented by
  

  Emily Rhodes, M.A., BCBA

   

  Thursday, September 21, 2017

  6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  

  
  

  AOTA, Act 48, and Social Workers Credits Available

  
  

  Autism Connection of PA

  35 Wilson Street #101

  Pittsburgh, PA 15223

  
  

  Recommended audience includes parents and extended families of children with ASD, teachers, para-professional and BHRS support staff, guidance counselors, social workers, clinicians, advocates, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and all those desiring knowledge about autism spectrum disorders.

  
  

  Biography:

  Emily’s experience with autism began over a decade ago when a child in her life began showing signs that led to an ASD diagnosis. Emily became involved in research opportunities on autism at the University of Pittsburgh then worked as a TSS in Pennsylvania and behavior therapist in Florida while pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and certification in Positive Behavior Support (PBS). After becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Emily now trains ABA therapists in addition to continuing direct services with children diagnosed with ASD. Emily works closely with families, schools, and other staff to develop programs that decrease problem behaviors and teach new skills such as communication, classroom readiness, and daily living tasks. As the clinical supervisor for Engage Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania, Emily is working to bring more ABA services to serve families in the region.

  
  Learning Objectives:
  
  At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to: 
  

  • Understand the importance of respecting the choices of individuals diagnosed with autism
  • Identify 6 major components of behavior that can be changed using positive approaches
  • Use proactive strategies to increase appropriate replacement skills for common issues
  • Use preventative procedures to decrease problem behaviors

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• Autism and Sexuality

  • When
    12 Oct 2017
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Autism Connection of PA, 35 Wilson Street #101, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
  • Spaces left
    45

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  Autism and Sexuality

  A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

   Presented by
  

  Shawn McGill, LSW

   

  Thursday, October 12, 2017

  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  

  
  

  AOTA, Act 48, Behavior Specialist License, 

   and Social Workers Credits Available

  
  

  Autism Connection of PA

  35 Wilson Street #101

  Pittsburgh, PA 15223

  
  

  Recommended audience include parents and extended families of children with ASD, regular and special education teachers, para-professionals, guidance counselors, occupational therapist, social workers, behavior specialists, clinicians, advocates, psychologists and all those desiring knowledge about ASD.

  
  

  Biography:
  Shawn received her Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000. After 16 years in the field, Shawn started the company Shawn McGill Consulting Inc.  Shawn has built the company on a positive, person-centered approach that focuses on the needs of the individual rather than the individual’s diagnosis. Shawn McGill Consulting Inc. specializes in providing supports for adults with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities who face complex behavioral challenges, which include problematic sexual behaviors. Shawn is also the mother of a child with autism.  Her son’s diagnosis and experiences in life propelled her become more of an advocate, teacher, and mentor to those living and supporting people with disabilities. 

  
  Learning Objectives:
  
  At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to: 
  

  • That there are basic human needs for all people, which include sexuality.  Recognize you may need to challenge and work through your own morals, values and beliefs as they relate to sexuality.
  • The differences between legal vs. illegal sexual behaviors as well as problematic sexual behaviors.
  • Puberty and tools to support a person to more successfully navigate this transition.
  • The foundational skills that will support a person to develop relationships and increase safe and legal expressions of sexuality.       

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• Autism and PANDAS

  • When
    06 Nov 2017
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Autism Connection of PA, 35 Wilson Street #101, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
  • Spaces left
    44

  Register

  Autism and PANDAS

  A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS

   Presented by
  

  Dr. Elizabeth Spaar, D.O.

   

  Monday, November 6, 2017

  6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  

  
  

  AOTA, Act 48, and Social Workers Credits Available

  
  

  Autism Connection of PA

  35 Wilson Street #101

  Pittsburgh, PA 15223

  
  

  Recommended audience include parents and extended families of children with ASD, regular and special education teachers, para-professionals, guidance counselors, occupational therapist, social workers, behavior specialists, clinicians, advocates, psychologists and all those desiring knowledge about PANDAS.    
  

  
  

  Biography:

  Dr. Spaar is a family medicine doctor who also has two kids on the spectrum. She has studied both traditional medicine as well as integrative medical care for autism, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS and related disorders. She provides individualized care to heal the root cause of these disorders including: diet, supplements, medicine, osteopathic manipulation, therapy, detoxification, immune modifying therapy, probiotics, aromatherapy, exercise and others.
  Dr. Elizabeth Spaar D.O
  Board certified in Family Medicine
  Board certified in Osteopathic Manipulation
  Board certified in Integrative Pediatrics
  Published in American Family Physician
  Presented on the treatment of Autism at multiple CME events
  Presented on Intimate Partner Violence

  
  Learning Objectives:
  
  At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to: 

  • Identify the signs and symptoms of PANDAS
  • Understand the unique ways PANDAS can present in children and adolescents with ASD
  • Know the different treatment options for PANDAS
  • Have a roadmap for seeking diagnosis and working with their primary care physician or specialist on treatment

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