Understanding Behavior: What Are Autistic Children Communicating?

SIMULTANEOUS SPANISH INTERPRETATION WILL BE AVAILABLE

Date and Time:  Wednesday, March 10 at 7 PM – 9 PM

Cost: Free

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Speakers:  Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., founder of Guiding Exceptional Parents and Kim Clairy, Occupational Therapist and autistic self-advocate, together with her husband William Miller, business owner, author, editor, web designer, book cover designer, and public speaker.

Children with autism often behave in ways that confound families and limit their navigation of school, the community or daily living; sometimes these actions land them in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, autistic children -- with or without communication challenges -- often cannot articulate the reason for their actions. 

These behaviors are frequently treated as intentional, with rewards and punishments used to motivate the child to behave differently. Very often, however, these actions are not deliberate choices, but instead are the consequence of other factors, such as tics, heightened anxiety, lack of motor control, or sensory overload. Motivational tools have no effect when the child isn't making a deliberate choice! 

How can we as parents and educators understand the behavior we see? How can we know whether the child’s actions are intentional?  How can we figure out what the child may be reacting to?  How should we respond to these behaviors? 

Drawing from their professional expertise and personal experience, our two excellent speakers will address this important topic.  

Meet our speakers: 

Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. and Kim Clairy with William Miller

Registration is Required:  You will receive a reminder email 24 hours before the event containing your Zoom link to join. Check your junk email if you don't see it.