Register today for 5-week Workshop Series about autism

December 17, 2018

St.Amant is offering more Fulfilling Potential Workshops for community members. As always these workshops are free and you are not obligated to all five.
As the next sessions begin on January 30, please read the information below and respond if you are interested in registering for any or all of these courses.
Please note that for all St.Amant staff that attend, there is a competency that will be added to your profile.
For inquiries or to register please contact: April Plett at 204-256-4301 ext. 4398 or aplett@stamant.ca.
Space is limited ~ first come, first served!

Fulfilling Potential Workshop Series for Community Members

The Fulfilling Potential workshops are a series of classes developed by Manitoba’s leading experts in autism spectrum disorder and applied behaviour analysis. These presentations are offered to anyone in the Manitoba community who would like to learn more about autism and the underlying causes of challenging behaviour, and for anyone who is interested in evidence-based strategies for effectively teaching skills and managing challenging behaviour.
The goal is to share valuable information that will empower you to support people in your life as they grow towards their full potential as loving and capable family members, friends, coworkers, and members of our community.
** The Fulfilling Potential Workshops will teach skills and strategies that are applicable to individuals of any age. However, special attention will be given to the needs of younger children **

Descriptions of the Fulfilling Potential workshops:
1. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behaviour Analysis
Participants are introduced to the common signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The goal in class 1 is for participants to have a better understanding of what life is like for kids with autism and to imagine how the symptoms of autism can influence the skills and knowledge that children develop as they grow up.
2. Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviour 1
**This class is a prerequisite for Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviour 2**
In this class, participants are introduced to a practical way of understanding challenging behaviour. Using the tools of Applied Behaviour Analysis, participants will be empowered to investigate the causes of challenging behaviour in the lives of the people they support. This class is an essential prerequisite for Challenging Behaviour 2, in which today’s knowledge will be used to begin developing behaviour support plans.
3. Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviour 2
**Participants must first complete Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviour 1**
Challenging behaviour can be disruptive, it can be an impediment to learning important skills, and it can interfere with the development of meaningful relationships with peers. In the last class, participants were introduced to the behavioural interpretation of challenging behaviour, why it happens, and the elements in our environment that influence learning. Today we will use that knowledge to begin developing behaviour support plans of our own to help the people we care about to reach their fullest potential.
4. Effective Goals and Teaching Strategies
We are usually pretty good at identifying big-picture, long-term goals for the people we support (e.g. more independence, meaningful relationships, academic skills, etc.) It can be much more difficult; however, to establish a step-by-step process to reach those goals that takes into account the individual’s strengths, preferences, and unique challenges. Today, effective teaching strategies will be introduced to help participants set goals, teach important skills, and remain optimistic about the future.
5. Potty Training Like a Pro
In this class, participants will learn to potty train like a pro! Readiness signs for toilet training are covered, and a behavioural plan to toilet training is explained.  Practical tips and discussion about common barriers met during toilet training are also a part of this interactive workshop.