Maureen and Vicki from the Autism Awareness Centre in Alberta will be hosting their annual Conference in Halifax next week. I have only missed two of their workshops in the Maritimes since 2006. Here is the information for the event taking place next week.
Friday, April 23 – Paula Kluth
Author of “Just Give Him The Whale!” 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism
“You’re Going to Love This Kid”: Teaching & Supporting Children on the Spectrum
This interactive presentation features group activities, real-world stories, and tools you can use immediately. Participants will learn practical ways of supporting those with autism spectrum labels & other disabilities in schools, at home, and in communities. Topics addressed include defining (and redefining) autism, listening to the voices of those with autism, creating more active and responsive lessons, and providing opportunities for communication and social skill development. Another special focus of the day will be how to build on an individual’s strengths, special interests, and abilities.
Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction, and supporting students with autism and significant disabilities in inclusive classrooms.
Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher, and inclusion facilitator. She works with teachers in K-12 schools, pre-schools, and early intervention programs. She also regularly works with family organizations and disability-rights and advocacy groups.
She is the author of “You’re Going to Love This Kid”: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom; the lead editor of Access to Academics: Critical Approaches to Inclusive Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy, and the co-author of “Just Give Him The Whale!” 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism and “A Land We Can Share”: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism and these two upcoming texts: Joyful Learning: Active and Collaborative Structures for the Inclusive Classroom and You’re Welcome: 30 Innovative Ideas for Inclusive Schools.
Saturday, April 24 – Paula Aquilla
Co-author of “Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration”
The Role of Sensory Processing in Learning, Behaviour and Activities of Daily Life
This course will provide participants with basic neurology to understand and appreciate the process of making sense of sensory information. Each sense will be discussed from the receptors to the central nervous system. Understanding the neurology behind sensory processing can support understanding of this process that we do every moment of every day.
Participants will learn how to identify the behavioural and autonomic nervous system signs of a nervous system in a regulated and deregulated state.
Sensory diets provide the right type and right amount of intensity and duration of sensory input to help maintain the nervous system in a calm, alert state. In the calm alert state, a person can function at their best. This course will outline how to create an environment, approach, and specific activities to help maintain the nervous system in a calm, alert state. We will learn how to create sensory diets and how to integrate them into a typical day. Information gathering techniques and assessments will be discussed.
Creative strategies to support success at school and at home will be shared. Participants will learn tips that they can plug into their day right away! Case studies will be discussed to illustrate these strategies.
Paula is the mother of two teenagers and lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has been practicing occupational therapy in community, clinic, school and home based settings for 22 years. Paula is a co-author of the book “Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration” and has contributed to several other publications. She teaches throughout North America. She is a thesis writer in the Canadian College of Osteopathy and hopes to complete her formal osteopathic studies in 2009. Paula brings warmth and enthusiasm in her work with children and their families.
Tentative Daily Schedule
Friday, April 23
| Registration | 7:30 am – 8:45 am |
| Opening Remarks | 8:45 am – 9:00 am |
| Session | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Lunch On Own | 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm |
| Session | 1:15 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Closing Remarks | 4:30 pm – 4:45 pm |
Saturday, April 24
| Registration | 7:30 am – 8:45 am |
| Opening Remarks | 8:45 am – 9:00 am |
| Session | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Lunch on own | 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm |
| Session | 1:15 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Closing Remarks | 4:30 pm – 4:45 pm |
General Information
Conference Location Information
The conference will be held at:
The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
1515 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Phone: 902-423-5130 or 1-800-565-2020
Rates (taxes not included)
Be sure you mention the Autism Awareness Conference to receive the special rate.
Traditional Room Single/Double Occupancy: $129.00
Parking
Parking for guests is $20.00 per night.
Dress Code
Dress is business casual. Delegates are reminded that the room may be chilly at times and are encouraged to wear a sweater.
Meals, Refreshment Breaks
Delegates are on their own for lunch. There are several eating establishments within walking distance. Refreshment breaks will be served in the morning and afternoon.
Contact Autism Awareness Centre Inc.
Phone: (780) 474-8355 or Toll Free: 1-866-724-2224 Email: vharris (at) shaw.ca
