Workshops

:: UPCOMING WORKSHOPS ::

2 Half-Day Workshop

Seminar: Critical Mass and Autism: Creating Independent Learners

Teach a skill from start to finish! Promote independence! Help individuals with ASD learn new skills independently. These are possible when the student learns using the principles of critical mass. Critical mass, in this regard, is the point where an individual has gained enough information to apply it to situations, activities or skills in which instruction has not been provided. Reaching critical mass equals independence.

Many students, neurotypical (NT) and those with ASD, reach critical mass in academics and, as an example, can read in multiple environments, in multiple fonts, on multiple, materials, and so forth. Schools generally do not provide sufficient instruction and practice for most students to reach critical mass in social, communication, and basic living skills. The outcome: autistic adults are not independent learners. This must change.

This presentation focuses on describing the factors that lead to critical mass for those on the spectrum. Learn easy-to-use strategies that can help individuals with ASD move about their world as independently as possible, making informed decisions about their wants and needs. Teaching to critical mass will help learners to be successful with tasks they have been taught to do, but will also help them to be successful with activities on which they have not received instruction.

Speaker: Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

Brenda Smith Myles Ph.D., formerly, a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, is the recipient of the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award, the Princeton Fellowship Award, The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome (GRASP) Divine Neurotypical Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Autism Champion, and two-time recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award. She served as the editor of Intervention in School and Clinic, the third largest journal in special education and has been a member of the editorial board of several journals, including Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Remedial and Special Education, and Autism: The International Journal of Research. Brenda has made over 3000 presentations all over the world and written more than 300 articles and books on ASD. In addition, she collaborated with the National Professional Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, National Autism Center, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services who identified evidenced based practices for individuals with autism. Further, in the latest survey conducted by the University of Texas, she was acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in ASD in the world.

Course Outline

1. Introduction to the four elements of critical mass
2. Element 1: Developing specific goals
   • Determine what to teach
   • Use the Levels of Learning
3. Element 2: Ensuring focus
   • Address motivation
   • Promote attention
   • Put in the time
4. Element 3: Moving the learner out of the comfort zone
   • Match demands to ability
   • Match ability to group size
   • Prevent explosions
5. Element 4: Communicating outcomes
   • Feedback and evaluation
   • Reinforcement

Course Objectives

At the end of the presentations, attendees will be able to:

1. Define critical mass and its importance to life success for individuals with ASD.
2. Understand the neurology of ASD that supports the need for instruction to critical mass.
3. Describe the strategies that lead to critical mass for individuals with ASD

Who Can Benefit?

Special educators, speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, administrators, psychologists, and consultants.

Course Fees & Closing Dates

Registration Type	Closing Date	Fees (S$) /pax
	30 Jul 2022	300
Normal	Till Full	350