mtautism.opiconnect.orgMontana Autism Education Project

Pages Home About Sunday, July 12, 2020 The OPI has a New Criteria for Autism You can see the new criteria here , along with some Frequently Asked Questions. The new criteria checklist is now in the AIM system and on the OPI web page . If you have questions, please send them to Doug Doty at ddoty@mt.gov . We will update the FAQ questions periodically. Posted by ddoty@mt.gov at 10:44 AM Labels: identification Tuesday, June 2, 2020 FREE Online Autism Training from the OPI The OPI is offering 80+ hours of online training in Teaching Procedures for students with autism/cognitive delay, Applied Behavior Analysis and a variety of Focused Topics. These online trainings are available to public school staff in Montana. A listing and description of the training content can be found here. New groups start the beginning and middle of each month and you will be sent information at that time on how to begin your training. You have 90 days to complete the training. OPI renewal units are not available* for this training. The training can be taken for ASHA CEUs. You can register for the online training here . * The training content provider now allows learners to fast-forward through videos to reach quizzes. Because there is no longer a specific amount of time that must be spent in each course, we can no longer offer OPI renewal units for this training. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TAKING THE TRAINING FOR ASHA CEUs ASHA members and/or MT state licensed SLPs are qualified to earn ASHA CEUs. Independent study plans are limited to 20 hours. ASHA requires that Independent Study activities are approved 30 days prior to the start of the learning activity. It works best to get the ASHA approval BEFORE registering for the courses. Participants fill out the form and send it to the Montana MSHA rep. Contact Doug Doty at ddoty@mt.gov for information on whom to send it to. You can find the Independent Study form here. Posted by Anonymous at 4:22 AM Labels: general education , training Sunday, February 2, 2020 Links Secondary Workshop: Linking Assessment and Instruction for Independence Links Secondary Workshop: Linking Assessment and Instruction for Independence Bozeman March 9 Billings March 10 Missoula March 30 This one-day workshop provides participants with information on how to implement evidence-based practices for secondary students using the Links Curriculum. Participants will learn to use a process for assessing and teaching functional routines that has been documented in the research. Extensive information will be given on selecting and individualizing routines and teaching specific skills to support success during routines. The Links Curriculum includes extensive data collection systems and participants will learn to collect and use data for instructional decision making, tracking student progress and writing IEP Goals. Video examples and video practice activities will be incorporated into the workshop. An on-line computerized system will be demonstrated with hands-on practice by the participants. Attendees of the Links workshop will also need to bring their laptops or tablets to the workshop. Attendance at the workshop will include access to the Links Curriculum until 6/30/2020. Attendance is limited to 30 people. Register here. Posted by ddoty@mt.gov at 4:22 PM Labels: Billings , Bozeman , Missoula , training , transition Thursday, January 9, 2020 Saliva test for autism hits market A saliva test designed to quickly diagnose autism in toddlers has hit the market after seven years of research at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Penn State. The researchers hope the test will help doctors detect autism faster and get children help sooner, when it can be most effective. Read more here. Posted by ddoty@mt.gov at 1:52 PM Labels: identification Webinars - Executive Function Series : Part 1: Planning Phase - Schedule & Task Management Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020 Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Learn about a variety of tools and strategies for managing schedules and tasks using calendars and task lists. Presented strategies and tools may be appropriate for middle to high school, college students and beyond who are able to use mainstream calendars and task lists. The first hour will be a fast-paced presentation on strategies and demonstrations of a variety of tools on various platforms such as Chrome, Web-based, iPads, Android, etc. The last half hour will include an in-depth demonstration on Google Calendar, Google Tasks, and Trello. Register here . Part 2: Executing the Plan - Time & Focus Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Learn about a variety of tools and strategies for managing time and attention (including task initiation and follow-through). Presented strategies and tools may be appropriate for middle to high school, college students and beyond who are able to use and navigate mainstream clocks, timers, alarms, time tracking, distraction blocking tools, etc. The first hour will be a fast-paced presentation on strategies and demonstrations of a wide variety of tools on various platforms such as Chrome, Web-based, iPads, Android, etc. The last half hour will be used for an in-depth demonstration on a variety of tools (including Time Timer, MultiTimer, and others). Register here . Posted by ddoty@mt.gov at 1:48 PM Labels: assistive technology , executive functioning , webinar Webinar - T for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Adapted & Online Curriculum January 21, 2020 | 12:00 PM CST | 60 minutes Part 1 or a 3 part-series For students with significant intellectual disabilities and physical and/or complex communication needs, the classroom has a multitude of barriers to learning. With AEM, AAC and other Assistive Technologies available, educators have often pieced together opportunities for "participation". Several publishers and manufacturers have been creating universally designed curriculum from the ground up approach. This webinar will include a brief introduction of what a curriculum should entail and what we should be looking for in an accessible and universally designed curriculum when we are talking about students who have a first disability in the intellectual realm. There will be overviews of several curricular options. Register here . AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Communication Supports February 11, 2020 Tuesday12:00pm to 1:00pm Central Standard Time Part 2 of a 3-part series Communication implementation supports at home or school don’t come with a download. Whether your child is using a free or simple AAC App or one that is complex or costs hundreds of dollars, child and partner strategies probably aren’t as easy as the click to “install” button. This session will take you through five steps to AAC success that are used in real classrooms and at home. These strategies have been blended from a variety of implementation approaches and updated for today’s AAC apps. Register here. AT for your Child with Complex Cognitive Needs: Behavior Supports February 25, 2020 | 12:00 PM CST | 60 minutes Part 3 of a 3-part series During this fast-paced presentation we will explore the features of behavior and memory support tools being used with students and adults with developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive and learning disabilities, as well as an intervention for people who have sustained a head injury. They can be used for creating schedules, task supports, behavior cards and other visual strategies. We will demonstrate the features that should be considered during assessment and selection of schedule and task supports. This session is not about what product we think is the best, this is about sorting through the options available so that you can be more informed when making decisions. Register here. Posted by ddoty@mt.gov at 1:46 PM Labels: assistive technology , behavior , communication , webinar Webinar - Living on Your Own Series : Part3: Taking Care of Meal Planning - Technology for Groc...