8:30am - 11:30am This course will provide an overview on challenging behaviors, and teach participants about functions of challenging behaviors. It will also discuss the use of functional behavior assessment as the first step in developing effective interventions to decrease challenging behavior. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am This course will provide and overview on challenging behaviors, and teach participants about functions of challenging behaviors. It will also discuss the use of functional behavior assessment as the first step in developing effective interventions to decrease challenging behavior. 12:30pm - 3:30pm (Prerequisite: Functional Behavior Assessment) This course will teach participants about antecedent and consequence-based intervention to reduce challenging behavior. It will combine the information learned in Introduction to Challenging Behaviors and Functions of Behavior and Functional Behavior Assessment to teach participants to develop effective behavior intervention plans that decrease challenging behavior. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * This workshop will answer basic questions about autism, including defining autism spectrum disorders and describing its characteristics and diagnosis criteria. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * This workshop will provide a general overview on treatments for people with autism spectrum disorders, with a focus on evidence based practices. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * This workshop will answer basic questions about autism, including defining autism spectrum disorders and describing its characteristics and diagnosis criteria. 12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BABCAs/BCaBAs provided * This workshop will provide a general overview on treatments for people with autism spectrum disorders, with a focus on evidence based practices. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am This workshop will cover terminology related to sensory processing disorders and how these issues can affect a child in terms of behvaior, cognition, language, motor skills, and social-emotional equilibrium. An estimated 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders have Sensory Integration Disorders Instructor: Carrie Alvarado, OTR , is a Registered Occupational Therapist who received her undergraduate education at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and who is currently pursuing her doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Disorders through the Interdisciplinary Council of Development and Learning Graduate School. Carrie has over 10 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist and has specialized training in the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®/Floortime™) Model of working with children with challenges in relating and communicating and their families. Carrie has received further training in sensory processing, motor and regulatory challenges with Dr. Georgia DeGangi and Rosemary White. Carrie has worked in inpatient, pediatric outpatient and home-based early intervention settings. In addition to her work at ACN, Carrie also owns a private practice, Illuminate Pediatric Therapy, PLLC.

8:30am - 11:30am This workshop will cover terminology related to sensory processing disorders and how these issues can affect a child in terms of behavior, cognition, language, motor skills, and social-emotional equilibrium. An estimated 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders have Sensory Integration Disorders. 12:30pm - 3:30pm (Prerequisite: Understanding Sensory Processing Difficulties) Strategies tailored to the needs of a child with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing difficulties will be discussed. Instructor: Carrie Alvarado, OTR , is a Registered Occupational Therapist who received her undergraduate education at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and who is currently pursuing her doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Disorders through the Interdisciplinary Council of Development and Learning Graduate School. Carrie has over 10 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist and has specialized training in the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®/Floortime™) Model of working with children with challenges in relating and communicating and their families. Carrie has received further training in sensory processing, motor and regulatory challenges with Dr. Georgia DeGangi and Rosemary White. Carrie has worked in inpatient, pediatric outpatient and home-based early intervention settings. In addition to her work at ACN, Carrie also owns a private practice, Illuminate Pediatric Therapy, PLLC.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Frequent ethical problems and everyday ethical challenges for behavior analysts will be discussed. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Understanding how a child naturally acquires skills allows us to set realistic, functional, and attainable goals. This training will cover the seven major areas of development. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Frequent ethical problems and everyday ethical challenges for behavior analysts will be discussed. 12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Understanding how a chil naturally acquires skills allows us to set realistic, functional, and attainable goals. This training will cover the seven major areas of development. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Current trends in autism research will be discussed. Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.

8:30am - 11:30am * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Current trends in autism research will be discussed. 12:30pm - 3:30pm * 3 CEUs for BCBAs/BCaBAs provided * Instructor: Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Director of Training and Research at Autism Community Network. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. For her dissertation, she developed a self-monitoring treatment package to support teachers in developing and implementing interventions in the classroom. Dr. de la Cruz received her Masters in Clinical Psychology at University of Texas at El Paso, where she researched animal models of autism. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a teacher and behavior analyst and training and supervising caregiveres and professionals servicing people with ASD. Dr. de la Cruz has published several peer-reviewed research articles and co-authored several book chapters in the fields of developmental disabilities, addictive behaviors, and social cognition.