Victorian Autism Conference - Call for Abstracts

The call for abstracts for the Victorian Autism Conference is currently open. Due to issues with our software, the link provided for the Call for Abstracts sent out in the last eSpectrum did not work. We apologise for this inconvenience. Until we rectify this problem, instructions and information can be found on our website under the News tab. Please click this link or cut and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/news/media.php

As the conference is aimed at practical strategies and information for families, individuals, and professionals, we are only calling for presentations in the areas identified by our members.  The closing date for submissions is Friday 26th February 2010.

Leroy Brown Comedy Presents “Need to Laugh”

Come along for a big night of laughs at the Knox Club to help raise money and awareness for Autism Victoria. “Need to Laugh” has a huge guest list form Linda Beatty (Winner of Best of Young Guns Comic’s Lounge 2009 and Green Faces finalist) to the not-to-be-missed debut of Franny the cleaner (89.9 Light FM).

The event is on Friday the 19th February at 7pm. Tickets ($50 including two course dinner and show) can be purchased by calling the Knox Club on 9801 6466.

EPIC Presents Dr Richard Eisenmajer

Education Program for Infants & Children (EPIC) is presenting a seminar on Autism and Asperger’s syndrome at Wyndham City Council Civic Centre, on Friday 12th February from 9.00am – 2.30pm.

The session will open with a seminar by Dr Richard Eisenmajer whose presentation is titled, “Imagine having Asperger’s syndrome”. This will be followed by a panel of adults with Asperger’s syndrome who will share their stories about life with an ASD. The final session of the day, “Autism Victoria moving fast: Where to by 2010?” will be presented by Murray Dawson-Smith, CEO of Autism Victoria.

For booking details, please contact Julie Carroll on (03) 9466 9022 or julie.carroll@rmit.edu.au or go to www.epic.edu.au for a booking form.

Spaces are limited so register early to avoid disappointment. Ticket required for Entry.

Ticket prices (including morning tea, light lunch, and a PD certificate for professionals) are $100 for professionals and $85 for parents.

ABA Therapy Workshop

An ABA workshop is being held at Integrated Education and Communication Blackburn, on 20 March 2010. This workshop will enable parents and therapists to begin teaching children through ABA Therapy. Participants will gain an understanding of children with Autism; their behavioural deficits and excesses. The workshop will cover an introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and participants will gain an understanding of Discrete Trial Teaching. The workshop will address prompting strategies and how to use them when teaching. Participants will learn how to introduce and teach a target item and they will gain an understanding of the types of reinforcement and how to utilise rewards to change behaviour and teach new skills. Themes such as how to structure the child’s therapy sessions and how to maintain and generalize mastered skills will be addressed. Participants will gain understanding of discrete data collection and they will learn how to perform task analyses to break complex skills down into small teaching components. The workshop will be interactive with many videos, role plays and hands on demonstrations. For more information, please contact Vicky Saltis for an application form on 9893 5547 or email vjs@abaservicesaustralia.com.au.