May 18, 2021
Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace: The First of Four CIRCA Professional Development Programs
May 12, 2021 | 11:00 – 12:00 PST | Zoom
This colloquium will provide an overview of the CIRCA Professional Development series and its key components. In particular, the presenters will describe the Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace program, a series of five self-paced, interactive modules filled with useful activities and videos. The program is designed to assist human resource professionals, employers, supervisors, managers, co-workers, job coaches and counsellors, autistic employees, parents, students, and anyone interested in inclusive employment to learn practical strategies on how to support all employees to be successful on the job. Additional CIRCA Pro-D programs for physicians, dental professionals, and childcare providers will be available in late 2021 and will also be described.
Presenter:
Karen Bopp, Ph.D., CIRCA Director of Provincial Outreach
Sharon Hu, B.A., Instructional Designer
April 22, 2021
Sleep and Behavior Analysis: Application and Case Studies of Sleep Support for Autistic Children
April 20, 2021 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm PST | Zoom
This presentation will be a “crash course” on how behavior analysis can be applied to addressing sleep challenges, including sleep assessment and treatment of sleep problems. The presenters will review the science behind sleep and basic sleep hygiene, and will also use case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of various comprehensive and personalized sleep plans.
Presenter:
Hilary McClinton, M.Ed., BCBA and Nicole Shallow, M.Ed., BCBA, Healthy Sleep Solutions
March 30, 2021
Balancing Bodily and Social Needs: Sensory Processing and Friendship Experiences in Autistic Adults
March 24, 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00 PST | Zoom
This presentation will discuss the sensory experiences of autistic adults and the way they affect their daily and social lives as well as their emotional state. More specifically, the presentation will focus on explaining how unusual sensory experiences and sensitivities shape friendship perceptions and practices in autistic adults. The results are based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews as well as two focus groups, as part of a larger PhD ethnographic research project conducted in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Presenter:
Jad Brake, Ph.D candidate, UBC Department of Anthropology; Graduate Fellow at the W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics
March 19, 2021
Mindfulness Based Interventions for Parents and Caregivers of Individuals with ASD and other Neurodiverse Needs
March 9, 2021 | 11:00 – 12:00 PST | Zoom
This colloquium will provide an overview of the concepts, rationale, and evolution of mindfulness-based interventions. Research supporting the benefits of these interventions with families, caregivers, and individuals with ASD and other disabilities will be included. The presenter will describe the characteristics of effective programs and tips to support individuals with ASD.
Presenter:
Georgina Robinson, Ph.D., Principal, Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD)
January 22, 2021
Testing the Effects of the PEERS® Intervention for Autistic Youth and Young Adults: Impacts on Mental Health and Neural Activity
January 20, 2021 | 10:30 – 12:00 PST | Zoom
In this presentation, Dr. McVey will discuss her research examining an evidence-based social skills intervention, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®). She will present her findings demonstrating the intervention’s secondary effects on mental health symptoms (depression, social anxiety, and suicidality) and changes in neural activity.
Presenters:
Alana McVey, Ph.D., Post-doctoral fellow, Dept. of Psychology, University of British Columbia
January 11, 2021
Identifying and Supporting Trauma in Complex Cases of ASD
January 6, 2021 | 2:30 – 4:00 PST | Zoom
Trauma rates in children with ASD may be underestimated due to the range of symptoms that potentiate the risk for maltreatment; thus, overshadowing of trauma symptoms is likely in this population (Stack & Lucyshyn, 2018). Using case studies, this seminar will provide an overview of trauma; how it can present in individuals with ASD; and a review of the literature.
Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss how symptoms can present themselves in individuals with ASD and trauma;
2. Discuss applications of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) to trauma;
3. Discuss applications from Trauma-Focused Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
4. Discuss applications from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
5. Discuss and apply how to integrate trauma-based approaches with an ABA- based intensive intervention program.
Presenters:
Alexia Stack, M.Ed., BCBA, Clinical Supervisor, A Block Above Behavioral Consulting
Bobbi Hoadley, M.Ed., BCBA, RCC, Practice Leader, Parley Services
Andrea Schneider, BCR, BCaBA, A Block Above Behavioral Consulting
November 18, 2020
A Secondary Prevention Model of Family-Centred PBS: The Low-“Down”
November 17, 2020 | 10:30 – 12:00 PST | Zoom
This presentation will summarize the results of research examining a secondary prevention, family-centred, positive behaviour support (FCPBS) program for parents of young children with Down syndrome, some of also had autism spectrum disorder. The session will describe the 14-week group parent training program and will also outline universal FCPBS strategies that are broadly applicable to families of young children with developmental disabilities who engage in
mild-to-moderate problem behaviour. Techniques for facilitating group parent training sessions will also be discussed.
Presenters:
Susan Fawcett, RSLP, Ph.D., Director of Therapy, Behaviour, and Family Support, Down Syndrome Resource Foundation
October 14, 2020
“Best Things”: Parents Describe Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Over Time
October 14, 2020 | 10:30 – 11:30 am | Zoom
This presentation will summarize the results of a study that examined parental perceptions of the character strengths of their children with autism from early childhood to age 11. Parental descriptions of the “best things” about their children were coded using the basic framework of the Values in Action Classification of Strengths. Results are congruent with a contemporary neurodiversity perspective that emphasizes strengths and resilience.
Presenters:
Katherine Cost, Ph.D., Research Associate, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
Anat Zaidman-Zait, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Pat Mirenda, Ph.D., Professor, University of British Columbia
February 24, 2020
A Preliminary Evaluation of a Modified, School-Based Facing Your Fears Intervention for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety
February 12, 2020 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Neville Scarfe Room 308A
With a high prevalence of anxiety among youth with autism spectrum disorder, researchers have noted that implementing effective treatments in real-world settings is a top priority. This presentation will describe the results of two related studies that examined an adaptation and delivery of the Facing Your Fears (FYF) intervention for anxiety in school settings.
Karen Kester is the Director of the Linking Autism to Fmailies
January 27, 2020
Executive Function and Autism Spectrum Disorder Measurement, Context, and Implications for Daily Life
January 22, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm | Neville Scarfe Room 308A
This session will include a brief overview of executive function (EF) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, comparing the results of performance-based and parent-report studies. It will focus on a discussion of the relationships between EF, mental health, social competence, and adaptive functioning in this population.
Emily Gardiner is a Postdoctoral Fellow at BC Children’s Hospital.
December 11, 2019
Assessment and Treatment of Comorbid Selective Mutism and Autism Spectrum Disorder
November 21, 2019 | 2:30 – 3:30 pm | Neville Scarfe Room 308A
It is well-known that anxiety disorders co-exist with ASD but much less is known about how to treat anxiety specific to speaking – that is, selective mutism (SM) – in the context of ASD. This is problematic as SM compounds the core social-communication deficits in ASD. This presentation provides information about how to assess and treat SM in children with ASD, using evidence-based behavioural intervention for SM modified for ASD.
Ainsley Boudreau is a staff Psychologist at BC Children’s Hospital.
November 4, 2019
Peer Mediated Instruction for Middle School Students with Autism
October 24, 2019 | 3:000 – 4:00 pm | Neville Scarfe Room 308A
Peer-mediated instruction (PMI) is an evidence-based practice that involves supporting typically developing peers to interact with learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within natural environments. This session will provide an overview of PMI research, followed by a description of a PMI research study conducted in a middle school. The study employed a low-intensity instructional package with classmates of three students with ASD. The results will be discussed in terms of advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.
Thea Brain is the Director of Early Autism Project.
April 1, 2019
Detecting Anxiety Disorders in Youth with ASD
March 19, 2019 | 2:00 – 3:30 | Neville Scarfe Room 278
Children with ASD frequently experience co-occurring anxiety disorders, yet these anxiety disorders can often go undetected, given the overlap of anxiety and autism symptoms. In this talk, Dr. Kerns will review research on the prevalence, presentation and assessment of anxiety disorders in children with ASD. Implications for treatment of anxiety in children with ASD will also be considered.
Dr. Kerns is an Assistant Professor of Department of Psychology at UBC.
February 26, 2019
Examining Preference for Social Interactions and Teaching Procedures in Children with Autism: Results of Two Studies
February 19, 2019 |2:30 – 4:00 | Neville Scarfe Room 310
Tyla Frewing, Ph.D., BCBA-D and Sarah Pastrana, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Consultants, Semimahoo Behaviour Analysts, Inc.
This presentation will include two recent studies on identifying and increasing reinforcing stimuli, which are essential components of behavioural interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The first study compared two methods for making praise more valuable for individuals with ASD. The second study evaluated participants’ preferences for three methods of reinforcer delivery, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of the three methods when teaching new skills.
Teaching STEM (including Coding and Robotics) to Students with ASD
February 5, 2019 |2:30 – 4:00 | Neville Scarfe Room 278 (Library Block)
Vicki Knight, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of ECPS
This presentation will articulate the rationale for including students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curricula and contexts. Dr. Knight will focus on her innovative research in this area to support this rationale, especially in the areas of coding and robotics. In addition, she will discuss methods she has used internationally to train professionals to promote content-based learning for all students in the classroom.
December 14, 2018
Building Provincial Capacity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: The CIRCA Training Initiative
December 5, 2018 | 2:30 – 4:00 | Neville Scarfe Room 278 (Library Block)
Dr. Bopp presented a brief overview of the status of the CIRCA training initiative, which is supported with funds from the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The goal of the initiative is to develop autism-related training materials and resources to support a wide range of professionals, paraprofessionals and families throughout the province. The presentation described the results of a co-design process used to develop a 3-year strategic plan and provided a research review on best practices for online versus face-to-face training that will be taken into consideration as new materials are developed.
November 1, 2018
Don’t They Know It’s Friday? : A Clinician’s Guide to Cultural Competency
Tiffany Dubuc, MS, BCBA, Doctoral candidate in ABA, Chicago School of Professional
October 23, 2018 |10:30 – 12:00 | Neville Scarfe Room 310
Entrusted with the clinical, educational, social and/or behavioural progress of our clients in today’s culturally dynamic and ever-changing world can be challenging. The need for cultural competency, and thoughtful dissemination of Western therapeutic practices has never been greater. In this talk, the presenter will share some hard-earned insights gained by 10 years of applied behaviour analytic (ABA) clinical practice across countries and states, including those within the Arabian Gulf, South-East Asia, and India.
March 26, 2018
The goal of the PACE (Parent and Child Early) Coaching Project is to develop, implement, and evaluate a parent coaching intervention in selected BC communities, for children aged 15 to 30 months who are at risk for autism spectrum disorder. The project is housed in UBC’s Faculty of Education under the leadership of Principal Investigator Dr. Pat Mirenda. This 26-minute video provides an overview of the project after 12 months of implementation.
July 26, 2017
Public Lecture by Dr. Jonathan Weiss, York University, UBC Summer Scholar
Individuals with autism often struggle with managing anxiety, anger, or depression, and increasingly, interventions are being used to help address these difficulties. These treatments are best provided within a context of supporting families and healthy environments. This lecture reviews the evidence for individual, family, and community interventions. The presentation is suited for parents, professionals, and students.
January 31, 2017
Ainsley Boudreau, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Psychology
BC Children’s Hospital
November 22, 2016
Dr. David Trembath
Senior Lecturer, Menzies Health Institute Queensland
Griffith University, Australia
June 8, 2016
Laura Grow, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS)
Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia
Event Poster
Power Point
May 10, 2016
Sara White, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Clinical Director, Sendan Autism and Behavioral Services
Bellingham, WA
April 27, 2016
BC-ABA Student Alliance Video – April 2016 – with:
Laura Grow, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Assistant Professor, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS)
Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia
April 21, 2016
Tyla Frewing, MSc, BCBA, UBC Doctoral Student (ECPS)
Behaviour Analyst with Semiahoo Behaviour Analysts, Inc.
March 9, 2016
Paola Colozzo, Ph.D., RSLP, Assistant Professor, UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
Stefka Marinova-Todd, Ed.D., AssociateProfessor, UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
December 8, 2015
Joan Broto, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Behavior Consultant & Associate at Semiahmoo Behavior Analysts, Inc.,
November 17, 2015
October 29, 2015
Joanne Volden, PhD, Professor, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Alberta
March 31, 2015
Javier Virués-Ortega, PhD, BCBA-D, Senior Lecturer in applied behaviour analysis, University of Auckland
March 11, 2015
Tara Hodgson, RN, MSN, Program Head, Pediatric Specialty Nursing, British Columbia Institute of Technology
February 11, 2015
by Emily Gardiner, PhD, Post-doctoral fellow, UBC Child and Family Research Institute
January 21, 2015
Paola Colozzo, PhD, Assistant Professor, UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
November 27, 2014
Richard Stock, PhD, BCBA-D Coordinator, Applied Behaviour Analysis-Autism Department, Capilano University
October 30, 2014
Miriam Elfert, PhD, BCBA, Behaviour Consultant and Program Manager, Reach ABA Program; Contract Faculty, Disability and Community Studies Department, Douglas College.
May 7, 2014
Brenda Fossett, PhD, BCBA-D, Instructor, Capilano University
April 16, 2014
Pat Mirenda, PhD, BCBA-D, Professor, Faculty of Education, and Director, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA), University of British Columbia
Event Poster
Presentation
Autism Sensory Intervention References, 2014
Handout
March 20, 2014
Elina Birmingham, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University.
February 26, 2014
Jim Tanaka, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology; and Director, Centre for Autism Research, Technology, and Education (CARTE), University of Victoria
November 21, 2013
Laura Grow, PhD, BCBA-D, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, UBC
October 17, 2013
Carole Zangari, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor and Director of the Tyler Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 30, 2013
Lauren Binnendyk, PhD, BCBA-D; Director, West Coast Feeding and Behaviour Specialists
March 5, 2013
Suzanne Lewis, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG; Clinical Professor and Director, Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research (ASPIRE) Program, Department of Medical Genetics, UBC
February 4, 2013
Elizabeth Athens Klar, PhD, BCBA-D; Clinical, Director, ABA Learning Centre and Instructor, Douglas College
Event Poster
Presentation
December 3, 2012
Stephanie Jull, PhD, BCBA-D; Faculty, Capilano University ABA‑Autism Program; and Director of Sport and Recreation, Canucks Autism Network
Recommended Book and link to purchase:
Getting into the Game: Sports Programs for Kids with Autism purchase on Amazon.ca
October 27, 2012
Co-sponsored by UBC’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA), the BC Association for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (BCASLPA) and the BC Association for Behaviour Analysis (BC-ABA)
October 2, 2012
Nicholas Watkins, MSc, BCBA; Faculty, Douglas College Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis Program
Event Poster
March 6, 2012
Dr. Mari Pighini, UBC Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research and Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and Special Education
Event Poster
Presentation
December 1, 2011
Dr. Karen Bopp, Senior Behavior Consultant, BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Event Poster
November 24, 2011
Dr. Brenda Fossett, Instructor, UBC Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Event Poster
October 14, 2011
Dr. Laura Grow, Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Event Poster
Presentation
March 11, 2011
November 26, 2010
Autism Society of Canada
October 26, 2010
Transforming Parent-Child Relationships in Family Routines: A Longitudinal Study with 10 Families of Children with Developmental and Problem Behaviour
Dr. Joe Lucyshyn (UBC)