Connections

Past Meetings

Communicating About Communication:
a conversation about. . .

February 7, 8:30am-12:30pm

A virtual gathering

Come together with us to celebrate the richness of communication diversity within our community.
from traditional methods to innovative technology.
We invite you to join us virtually to hear from lived experience partners and our champions. both individuals with disabilities and providers.

Agenda

This day is a partnership with Waisman Center’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability Wisconsin Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program and a number of individuals and organization leading the CoP ASD/DD. The purpose of the Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities (CoP ASD/DD) gatherings is to bring together diverse stakeholders from across the state.  The CoP ASD/DD aims to improve the formal and informal systems of services and supports for individuals with ASD/DD, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

All Behavior Matters: What Counts as Challenging Behavior and for Who?

May 24, 8:30am-12:00pm

This gathering has been moved to virtual only.

We have heard that all behavior matters and that all behavior is communication.
Yet we often get stuck when a behavior is labeled as challenging.
When we do this, we should dig deeper and determine who is challenged by the behavior:

– Is it challenging for the person exhibiting the behavior?
– Is it challenging for people in charge of a group?
– Is it challenging for people around the person?

At this gathering, participants will be given the opportunity to step back and examine how our own beliefs, training, and attitudes can lead to a behavior being classified as challenging.

Keynote — Betty McCluskey — All Behavior is Communication

Panel — Colleen McCluskey, Matt Welch, Kristin Helmers

General Resources -shared before the meeting

Agenda

  • 8:30-9:00 Registration and light breakfast
  • 9:00-9:15  Welcome and share out
  • 9:15-10:15  Keynote: Betty McCluskey, MS, LPC
  • 10:15   Break
  • 10:30-11:00 Small group facilitated discussions (online and inperson)
  • 11:00-11:05  Break
  • 11:05-11:50  Lived Experience Panel: Colleen McCluskey, Matt Welch, Videos and more!
  • 11:50-12:00  Closing

This event is free. CEUs are not available but we can provide certificates of attendance upon request.

This day is a partnership with CESA #1, Supporting Neurodiverse Students and the Waisman Center’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability Wisconsin Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program. The purpose of the Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities (CoP ASD/DD) gatherings is to bring together diverse stakeholders from across the state.  The CoP ASD/DD aims to improve the formal and informal systems of services and supports for individuals with ASD/DD, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

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February 7, 2023 was the CoP ASD/DD Online Gathering–Multisite!

Mental Health and ASD/DD

Please join us as we explore the intersection of Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities

Recordings and slides are below.

Topics:

Insight to Education: Tim Peerenboom, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Student Services Prevention and Wellness team
Recording
Slides

Insight to Community: Emilie Smiley and Megan McLachlan, Wisconsin Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Recording
Slides
Basics OnDemand Flyer

Insight to Lived Experience: Scott Allen, Board of Directors Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin, Therapist Lifestance Health
Recording
Slides

Shared upcoming information

Thank you to our awesome host sites:
  • Appleton:  SOAR Fox Cities
  • Ashland: CESA #12
  • Fitchburg: Padres e Hijos en Accion
  • Madison: ARTS For ALL Wisconsin
  • Madison: Disability Rights Wisconsin
  • Madison: Waisman Center
  • Menomonie: Dunn County Human Services
  • Palymyra:  DogsInVests, Inc
  • Wausau: Northern Regional
  • Wauwatosa: Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
  • Weston: DC Everest School District

May 11 is the CoP ASD/DD Online Gathering

Focusing on Early Childhood

This day is a partnership with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), CESA #1, and Supporting Neurodiverse Students

 

Recordings and Resource Sheet are now available.

 

Please join us as we explore the layers of collaboration it takes to support children of early childhood age.

 

Circles from the Start: Inclusive Early Care and Education — Recording
This interactive session is a must for any early educator who wants to learn more about creating inclusive programs and classrooms. During this keynote session, you’ll learn alongside two of the most sought after experts in the field of Inclusive Early Education, Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak and Dr. Julie Causton. The session will be filled with practical ideas and strategies, as well as tips and tools that you can use right away. You’ll receive tons of ideas for differentiating lessons and activities, embedding specially designed instruction, and providing “just right supports”. You will also receive many practical ideas for supporting students who demonstrate challenging behaviors. Lastly, you’ll learn how to shift the mindsets, heartsets, and skillsets of early educators, families, and community members to be ready to inclusively support all young children. Let’s come together to make circles from the start! Learn more at https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/

 

Collaboration and Coordination — Recording
During this session, Jenny Bibler and Eva Shaw, Wisconsin DPI special education consultants, will answer questions regarding the Department of Public Instruction and Department of Health Services Joint Guidance For Behavioral Treatment for School-Age Youth, with an emphasis on its implication for early childhood. Questions for this session will be collected beforehand using the survey Collaboration and Coordination: Families, Schools, Behavioral Treatment Providers.

 

Panel of Collaboration — Recording
In this panel, participants will be introduced to speakers with experience working together across organizations. From community organizations, schools and families we work together to provide opportunities for people on the spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. This effort has one goal, to provide what we can so the person we support can be the best them they can be. This takes working together and keeping the child at the center of the conversation, if not the lead to that conversation. Come join us to learn about the success and barriers our panelists have faced in making this collaboration work.

Agenda:
8:30-8:45 – Updates from the CoP
8:45-10:15 – Circles from the Start: Inclusive Early Care and Education
10:15-10:30 – Break
10:30-11:00 – Collaboration and Coordination
11:00-11:50 – Panel of Collaboration
11:50-12:00 – Closing

You can view past CoP ASD/DD recordings, Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!, Transition Talks Tuesdays, 5 County Transition Talks and more videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ5zpWuJxlbjZLw595ST9ig

 October 13th was the CoP ASD/DD Virtual Gathering
Hope: High Expectations Across the Lifespan

This day is a partnership with CESA #1, Milwaukee Urban Autism Summit and Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin

Thank you to our wonderful presenters and all who attended.

Keynote from the CoP ASD/DD on 10/13/21.

Panel of Experts from the CoP ASD/DD on 10/13/21.

Resource Sheet from the CoP ASD/DD on 10/13/21.

We welcome Lola Dada-Olley speaking on Hope: High Expectations Across the Lifespan

Lola Dada-Olley is an attorney, disability inclusion advocate, mom, wife, and podcast host. Lola is the older sister to an autistic man and the mom to both a son and a daughter on the autism spectrum. She chronicled her family’s multi-generational autism journey with the launch of the “Not Your Mama’s Autism” podcast in 2020. Part audio memoir/part interview-style podcast, Lola touches on topics such as societal stigma, culture, the intersection of race and disability, healthcare, community policing, and corporate disability inclusion efforts. She is also on the board of directors of two nonprofit organizations centered on increasing access to healthcare, community support, and/or vocational opportunities for people with disabilities. In June 2021, Lola started writing a monthly column for PsychCentral.com, a division of Healthline Media, titled “The Caregiver Chronicles”, that takes a deeper dive into her personal account of lifetime caregiving. Lola also gave the TEDx talk in 2021, titled “Your Path is Your Purpose,” where she explains how a series of seemingly disjointed life events led her to where she is today.

We also welcome a dynamic family panel of Rechelle Chaffee, Daysi Jimenez and Ida Winters discussing their experiences with Hope and High Expectations

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Tele? What have we learned from pivoting to tele-services for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities?

May 12, 2021
Virtual

Session 1: What have we learned about education?  Recording and resources

This session will provide a general overview of how schools have adapted to continue to provide special education and student services during the pandemic.  The presentation will seek to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that DPI’s Special Education and Student Services Prevention and Wellness teams have received during the past year including IEP planning and implementation, service delivery, privacy and confidentiality, and student engagement.  One of the things we have learned over the past year, is that teleservice has a lot of potential for being an efficient and effective way to support students and families.  Participants will also be provided resources created by DPI to support schools and families during teleservice both during and after the pandemic.

Presenters: Tim Peerenboom. M.S Ed., and Carlynn Higbee OTR, from the WI DPI Teleservices Team

Session 2: What have we learned about therapy?  Recording and resources

This session will share major takeaways when providing teletherapy to a young child with autism throughout the pandemic. Hurdles/barriers to be aware of, effective supports and strategies, as well as successes will be shared from both the parent and therapist perspective. In addition, benefits experienced by the entire family will be discussed. Finally, evidence-based approaches to intervention and engagement that can be applied to a variety of children will be provided.

Presenters: Connie Persike, M.S, CCC/SLP from CP Consulting and UW Madison Communication Sciences and Disorders Department; Jody Steiger, parent of Jack; and Sara Stomps, B.S. UWSHC Graduate Student Clinician

Session 3: What have we learned about building capacity?  Recording and resources

Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a lifelong learning and guided practice model that is designed to build capacity of individuals around the state to provide evidence-based services. ECHO uses video conferencing to move knowledge, not people. It fosters an “All Teach, All Learn” environment where community providers can learn from specialists and one another, and specialists can learn from community providers. In 2020, the Waisman Center launched ECHO Autism WI targeting primary care providers who serve children with autism. It also launched ECHO AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), ECHO AAC Autism, and ECHO AAC Families. ECHO AAC invites an interdisciplinary cohort, primarily school-based professionals, to the virtual table; whereas ECHO AAC Autism targets autism treatment providers, and ECHO AAC Families create a safe space for individuals who use AAC and their families.  This presentation will highlight the ECHO model, outcomes, and next steps for both programs.

Presenters: Sarah Marshall, SLP and Molly Naef, Family Member, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN

Session 4: What have we learned about diagnosing autism?  Recording and resources

We will describe accommodations made by the Next Step Clinic in Milwaukee to complete ASD diagnostic assessments for underserved children ages 18 months to 15 years, during the pandemic, over telehealth.  Strategies and solutions to barriers affecting engagement of families over telehealth, including family navigation and technology procurement, will first be covered.  Our experiences using alternative, caregiver-administered assessment paradigms, the Tele-ASD-Peds and the BOSA, will be discussed.  Recommendations for use of the ADI-R and other caregiver report measures over telehealth will be given.  Finally, gaps and limitations of telehealth ASD diagnosis will be explored.

Presenters: Amy Van Hecke, PhD, Professor of Psychology (Marquette University) and Executive Co-Director (Next Step Clinic); Amy Leventhal, PhD, Director of Clinical Services (Next Step Clinic); Ida Winters, Family Navigator (Next Step Clinic); Leah Jepson, MSW, Executive Co-Director (Next Step Clinic); Troney Small, Family Navigator (Next Step Clinic).

Supporting Resiliency in Times of Uncertainty

Whether you were able to join us for the live event or plan to view the recorded sessions, here are some additional resources you may find valuable.

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Anxiety and ASD/DD: What we know and what can we do about?

March 10, 2020
Distance Event (List of sites)

Recordings of the presentations are available at WI CoP ASD/DD YouTube Channel.

Presentations (copies of the powerpoint or other handouts)

Supporting Neurodiversity in the IEP Process

September 27, 2019
Powtawtomi Hotel and Conference Center
1721 West Canal Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Recordings of the presentations are now available at WI CoP ASD/DD YouTube Channel.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Markeda Newell

September 27th topics include:

  • Student Led IEPs
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Social and Emotional Skills in the IEP
  • Adaptive Skills/Transition Development in the IEP
  • Present Level of Performance
  • Motor Skills in the IEP
  • Early Childhood IEP Development

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Transcending Autism: Self-Advocacy and Wellness Across the Lifespan

This event is being planned by Speaking About Autism in partnership with the CoP ASD/DD.

May 10, 2019
Tundra Lodge Green Bay
[Thank you Tundra Lodge for your generous donation of the meeting space!]
865 Lombardi Ave
Green Bay, WI 54304

Recordings of the presentations are now available at WI CoP ASD/DD YouTube Channel.

May 10th topics and presenters include:

  • Matthew and Mitchell LaBerge, founders of Speaking About Autism, LLC
  • How Did We Get Here? Matthew and Mitchell’s Journey–Julie Harris (Mom)
  • Wellness for All–Jim Beversdorf and Eydie Strand from Bellin Health
  • Self-Advocacy and Stress Management: College through Adulthood–Tayler Wilson
  • Transition to College and Disability Services–Lisa O’Hallaron and Mee Saykao from Northwest Technical College
  • Closing Panel on Self-Determination and Wellness–numerous parents and daughters sharing their experiences

Thank you to our sponsors:

Gold level: Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, Tundra Lodge, WI LEND
Silver level: Autism Society of the Fox Valley, Autism Society of NorthEast Wisconsin, WI DHS CYSHCN Program
Bronze level: Connections IRIS Consulting Agency

Check out Speaking About Autism, LLC

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Access to Mental Health Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities

Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Recordings of the presentations are now available at WI CoP ASD/DD YouTube Channel.

Viewing Sites from February 2019

Agenda

Social and Emotional Learning In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education Team
UW Superior, Yellow Jacket Union
September 6, 2018

Agenda

Sessions 9.6.18

Presenter handouts and slides are available on a Google site.

Keynote: Dr. Dipesh Navsaria — Books Build Better Brains: How Promoting Literacy is Key to Early Brain Development

Dr. Dipesh Navsaria

Sectionals:

  • Teach Me to Cope with My Strong Emotions- Supporting the Learning of Self-Regulation in Young Children
  • Supporting Social Emotional Learning and Literacy through Home-School Collaboration
  • Implementing Social Interventions for High School Students with Autism
  • Integrated Experience
  • Making Social and Emotional Connections to High School Literacy
  • Using Wisconsin’s SEL Competencies to Support IEP Development
  • Every Child Healthy Outcomes (ECHO) coalition and CLTS of Douglas County and local resources

Wisconsin DPI’s Social and Emotional Learning website includes videos, curriculum, case studies and a parent toolkit.

Presentations will be available on the Community of Practice on ASD/DD YouTube Channel when ready.

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CCR IEP and ASD/DD (College and Career Ready Individual Education Program and Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities)
UW South Madison Partnership/Madison, Wisconsin
May 30, 2018

Agenda

Katie Berg’s (presenter) Google site has the powerpoint slides and other resources under the Training Material tab.

Wisconsin DPI’s CCR IEP website includes portals to forms, learning resources and a discussion tool.

Presentations will be available on the Community of Practice on ASD/DD YouTube Channel when ready.

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SELF-
Madison Area Technical College and multiple viewing sites
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018

Agenda

Presentations are available on the Community of Practice on ASD/DD YouTube Channel.

Beyond Access: Meaningful Inclusion in Curriculum, Career and Community
University of Wisconsin—La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
October 25, 2017

Agenda

  • From Disability to Possibilities: The Power of Lifelong Inclusive Practices
    Dr. Patrick Schwarz
  • Team Building Classroom Activity
  • Differential Instruction and UDL Template
  • Differential Instruction and UDL Template
    Dr. Patrick Schwarz
  • From Successful Inclusive Schools to Successful Inclusive Communities
    Dr. Patrick Schwarz
  • True Grit: Jesse Horn 
  • Ask Yourself: Self- Questioning Strategy for Students with
    Significant Disabilities
    Jessica McQueston
  • Family Engagement in the IEP: Supporting Students with ASD and DD to be College & Career Ready
    Cheri Sylla
  • Peer-Mediated Strategies within the Classroom (with a Literacy Focus)
    Jessica McQueston
  • Family Engagement in the IEP: Supporting Students with ASD and DD to be College & Career Ready
    Cheri Sylla

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Mental Health and Autism/Developmental Disabilities
March 8, 2017–Multiple Sites

Agenda

Beyond Access: Meaningful Inclusion in Curriculum, Career and Community
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Reeve Memorial Union
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
October 24, 2017

Agenda

Becoming an Adult

    • October 1, 2016–Madison College, Truax Campus

      • Opening Speaker: Amanda Bell, LOV-Dane,

Journey to the Good Life

      • Panel of Experts: Alex Shariff, Zach Shariff, Matt Ward; Facilitated by Kelly Brodhagen.

Short Bios of Panelists

Improving Achievement by Addressing Anxiety and Mental Health Needs of Students

    • May 4, 2016–Superior & May 6, 2016–Oshkosh

This event was held in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Autism Program Support Teachers (PSTs) and the University of Wisconsin-Superior

    • Handouts and agendas are available at

http://tinyurl.com/15-16AutismPSTCoP.

    • Some presenters were unable to submit handouts.
    • The recorded sessions are available at

http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016

    • .

Keynote: Megan Farley, PhD (UW Madison / Waisman Center), “Behavioral Health Challenges and Strategies for Students with ASD”

View webcast at http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016/videos/122714168

Panel: Real Life Stories of Coping with Stress and Anxiety in School–Matthew LaBerge, Mitchell LaBarge, Talyer Wilson; Facilitated by Julie LaBerge
View webcast at http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016/videos/122702664

    Sectionals

  • Oshkosh AND Superior Sectionals
    Supports for Anxiety in Classroom–Connie Persike, MS, SLP-CCC/Jessica Nichols, BASocial and Behavioral Differences for Females and Males with ASD–Megan Farley, PhD
    View webcast at http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016/videos/122678919
  • Oshkosh Additional Sectionals
    Universal Mental Health Frameworks and Supports–Christie Gause-Bemis, WDPISupporting Students wtih Autism and Mental Health Conditions in the Classroom: Inclusive Practices that Work–Carrie Dieter, Administrator, Brillion Schools & Elizabeth Langteau, OTR, Autism Consultant, CESA 7
    View webcast at http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016/videos/122683623
  • Superior Additionals Sectionals
    Supporting Mental Health / Anxiety in Home and Transitioning to School (Liz Wabindato, WSPEI / DTAN)Supports for Students with ASD during the Transition to Adulthood (Leann Smith, UW Madison / Waisman)
    View webcast at http://livestream.com/DHSWebcast/HECoPASD2016/videos/122689517

Interpersonal Safety & Law Enforcement
Feb 3, 2016–Multi-site Webcast

Details of the day

  • Resource Sheet including presentation slides and websites.
  • Adobe Connect recording of parts of the day is available at
    https://connect.wisconsin.gov/p3s487l55nq/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal
    The sound quality is not great and Mark Sweet was not able to be recorded.
  • Agenda
  • Mark Sweet, Disability Rights Wisconsin–Interpersonal Safety (not recorded)
  • Emily Levine, Autism Society of SE Wisconsin–A Word on Wondering
  • Daniel Parker, Department of Public Instruction–Web-based Resources to Help
  • Officers Andrew Naylor and Andrew Bruce from the City of Madison Police Department (MPD) will talk about the MPD Mental Health Officer Program and “What to Expect when Law Enforcement Shows Up”.

Early Diagnosis and Access to Services
October 27, 2015–Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

Agenda

Thank you to the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin the UW-Madison LEND program and First Stage for supporting this meeting.

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Tools for Transition: Learn them Early, Use them for Life
May 28, 2015–Madison College, Truax Campus

Agenda

The following webcasts have been archived and can be accessed at
http://dhsmedia.wi.gov/main/Catalog/Full/811f83415ec04ae6b785e188f015f5a021

Don’t Stand So Close to Me: Doing More By Doing Less for Young People on the Autism Spectrum
Moving into the Future: Russell McCullough
Research on Interventions for Young Adults with ASD
Strengths-Based Employment for Students with Autism: Sam’s Story
DRAFT descriptions of presentations

Strenth-based Employment for Students with Autism–Jennifer Emmel and panel

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Supportive Communities: Building Educational Supports to Promote Reading Success
February 12, 2015–Chula Vista Resorts, Wisconsin Dells

    • Please view the

Google Document folder

    • which holds all of the presentation materials for this meeting.
    • The following webcasts from

February 12, 2015 Supportive Communities: Building Educational Supports to Promote Reading Success

    • have been archived and can be accessed at

http://dhsmedia.wi.gov/main/Catalog/Full/de40554b2bed4da1884eaf37ae51e0a321 Building Comprehension through Evidence Based Strategies
Authentic Literacy in Inclusive Settings for Students with Complex Communiction Needs

Supportive Communities: Building Family Capacity in Community
September 27, 2014–Portage County Library in Stevens Point

Agenda

    • The following webcasts have been archived and can be accessed at

http://dhsmedia.wi.gov/main/Play/c0dc5422c63e400ab0ca06bd001951781d You Are Not Alone: The Power of Resiliency
Panel on Bulding Family Capacity in Community
A Family’s Story

Learn Your ABCs: All Behavior Communicates
May 29, 2014–Madison College, Truax Campus

Agenda

    • The following webcasts have been archived and can be accessed at

http://dhsmedia.wi.gov/main/Catalog/Full/86598f9d68584bd9afe2661d3307f8d821 Supporting People with Autism and Challenging Behavior
Mental Wellness and Keeping and Even Keel
Laugh for your Mental Health Breaks
Anxiety
Working to change acute problem behaviors: Assessing and treating in crisis (Behavioral Intervention)

Creating Positive Social Environments
February 27, 2014–Country Springs, Pewaukee

Agenda

Discovering Work: Employment Strategies for Youth with ASD/DD
November 5, 2013–Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton Campus

Agenda

Webcast information Nov. 5, 2013 CoP ASD/DD
 Link to archived webcast

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August 13, 2009: Professional Development (Agenda opens on the bottom of this page)

May 20, 2009: Parents Supports (Agenda opens on the bottom of this page)

March 5, 2009: An Introduction to Connections (Agenda opens on the bottom of this page)

See Also