10:00 am to 12:00pm (Eastern Time)

Using Evidence-Based Practices to Support Meaningful Outcomes for Autistic Students

Featured Speaker — Kara Hume,  Ph.D is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Choosing the most effective way to support autistic students in meeting their goals can be overwhelming for professionals as they navigate the vast array of intervention options. This session will provide a framework for understanding and selecting evidence-based practices (EBPs) that best match the desired outcomes identified by autistic students, their families, and their school support team. The process for the identification of EBPs (and the limitations of the process) will be discussed. Practitioner-friendly resources to support the implementation of EBPs will be also highlighted.

Learner Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

1. Identify evidence-based practices (EBPs) for autistic children and youth.
2. Describe the process for selecting EBPs to address meaningful outcomes for autistic children and youth.
3. Access internet supports for learning how to plan for, use, and monitor EBPs for children and youth with autism.

12:45 pm to 2:15 pm (Eastern Time)

Building Connections and Community through the Use of Peer-Mediated Interventions in Middle and High School Settings

Featured Speaker — Kara Hume, Ph.D is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Peer-mediated strategies provide opportunities for all students to foster social and academic skills, foster lasting relationships, increase school participation, and learn how to connect and communicate with classmates. This session will focus on peer supports and peer networks, two proven interventions that can be easily used in middle and high school settings during academic and extra-curricular periods. Classroom and school-based examples will be provided, along with links to many ready-to-use resources for easy implementation.

Learner Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

1. Identify the benefits to all students when using peer-mediated interventions.
2. Describe how to implement peer networks and peer supports during in-school and after-school activities.
3. Navigate online resources to support the initial and ongoing implementation of peer-mediated strategies.

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm (Eastern Time)

“Being happy is my dream”: Postsecondary Aspirations of Autistic Youth

Featured Speaker — Kara Hume, Ph.D is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The goals of autistic youth should be prioritized during the transition planning process, yet research indicates that their attendance/participation is limited. In this session, attendees will learn about the hopes and aspirations of autistic young adults related to life post-high school and what high schools can do to make those dreams a more likely reality.

Learner Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

1. Describe the post-secondary experiences and aspirations of autistic young adults related to employment, post-secondary education, and social engagement.
2. Identify 3 areas of high school programming that the young adults noted could be improved to better support them in reaching their post-secondary goals.
3. Implement 3 related strategies/curriculum areas/structural changes that the young adults noted could be improved to better support them in reaching their post-secondary goals.