Family Group Workshops — Kentucky Autism Training Center

As part of the ongoing effort to improve services for those affected with ASD in Kentucky, KATC staff provided workshops on autism and related topics to family groups across Kentucky. The KATC encourages family groups to work in collaboration with KATC to design a workshop to meet your group’s needs. These 1 to 1.5 hour workshops are designed for autism related support groups and other family groups. To schedule a workshop, please complete the “Workshop Request for Family Groups”. The workshops are free of charge for autism-related support groups. Request a workshop for a family support group

Family Group Workshop Topics

Behavior Basics at Home

In this presentation, families will learn about a variety of basic behavior management strategies that serve as basic building blocks for a favorable home environment, which will include:

Families will learn strategies to identify and address challenging behaviors.
Families will learn positive strategies to replace inappropriate behaviors with appropriate behaviors.
Families will learn techniques to discover the reasons why their child engages in certain behaviors.
Families will learn approaches to teaching new daily living skills.
Families will create an action plan to establish priorities at home and how to start making appropriate changes.

Addressing the Needs of Siblings of Individuals with ASD

In this presentation, families will learn how to address the unique needs of siblings of individuals with ASD. Families will learn strategies that promote positive relationships among family members.

Families will learn how to explain differences in needs and expectations.
Families will learn how to give siblings tools to cope with tough situations in the community.
Families will create an action plan to ensure that siblings feel supported and included.

Community Inclusion

In this presentation, families will learn how to create opportunities to include their son or daughter in their local community and enrich their lives.

Families will learn methods to explain autism to community members.
Families will learn how to provide supports for my son or daughter in the community.
Families will create an action plan to advocate for participation for their child with ASD in the community that enhances their life and provides opportunities for growth.

Building the Family Team: Bringing in the Extended Family

In this presentation, families will learn how to meaningfully include their son or daughter with ASD in the immediate family and extended family.

Families will learn how to explain autism to other family members.
Families will learn how to include their son or daughter with ASD at family functions.
Families will learn how to support their son or daughter in their relationships and interactions with extended family members.
Families will create an action plan to choose and create events to encourage healthy relationships with extended family members.

Parents as Partners with Teachers

In this presentation, families will discuss collaboration between and amongst their student’s team. They will explore ways in which they can create a partnership with their student’s school, especially their student’s teachers.

Families will learn about research providing evidence for a school-home partnership.
Families will learn methods to be more involved in placements and changes at school.
Families will develop an action plan for their family’s participation in their child’s educational life.

"You Make and Take it Home"

In this presentation, families will learn about research-based interventions used to support positive behavior. Families will then create supports for their child.

Families will learn how to identify areas of opportunity that may be enriched by the use of social stories or visual supports.
Families will learn the steps for creating and implementing various examples of social stories or visual supports.
Families will create a support of their choice (social story or visual supports) for their family and practice.

Other evidence based practices can be discussed such as video modeling, picture based communication and reinforcement. For more ideas please explore the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders website.

Show Me the Money: Navigating Funding Sources

In this presentation, families will learn about different waivers and resources available to their son or daughter.

Families will learn how to use these resources to improve the quality of life for their son or daughter.
Families will learn about available resources in KY and what resource best fits their son or daughter’s needs.
Families will learn how to access resources for their son/daughter.
Families will learn about their rights.

Implementing Visual Supports in the Home

In this presentation, families will learn how to utilize visual supports at home to support their children with ASD. Research shows evidence for visual supports improving task completion, following a schedule, and promoting education.

Families will see many examples of visual supports that can be used at home. Families will learn to identify opportunities for visual supports at home.
Families will learn the steps for creation, how to implement, and determine if the support is being effective for their family or not.

Transition to Adulthood: What's coming and how do I prepare?

In this presentation, families will be introduced to challenges that families face as their son or daughter leaves school. They will develop an action to prepare their son or daughter for entering adulthood.

Families will learn the steps to take at home to promote independence for their son or daughter.
Families will learn what a thorough school transition plan should entail.
Families will learn what resources are available after their son or daughter graduates.