Professional Development Topics​
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Autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD):
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Features, characteristics, current research on diagnosis, features, comorbidity, and intervention based on differences in disability presentation.
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Communication and social challenges, core features which contribute to social challenges, current peer-reviewed research on social communication and best-practice interventions and supports for teaching and implementing programming, and improving overall outcomes.
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Employment readiness
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Job coaching from a systematic teaching, modeling, rehearsing, providing feedback, systematic shaping and fading, task analysis and behavior chains, reinforcement.
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Autism and IDD involvement in the legal and justice system including
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Current research from the US Department of Justice and other leading resources on prevalence and supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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Disability features and the importance of education in how disabilities present and communication differences and strategies for improving overall outcomes.
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Family training in disability presentation and social communication, employment, self-determination and self-advocacy, sexual health, community integration, supported decision making, person-centered planning, and other topics.
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Virtual and onsite training options.
Past Training and Presentations:
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2024: Michigan Transition Services Association (MTSA) Conference: presentation on Research and Best Practice in Post High School Readiness and Higher Level Education Outcomes
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2024: Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI): training in Autism Features, Research, Data, and Evidence-Based Practice Strategies and Intervention Supporting Individuals with Autism in Higher Level Education Settings
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2024: Michigan Department of Corrections: Autism Overview, Prevalence in Legal and Justice Systems, Promoting Improved Outcomes for Individuals and Staff, Educational Opportunities for Increasing Staff Knowledge of Autism and Strategies for Recognizing, Communicating, and Deescalating Situations
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2023: Michigan Transition Services Association (MTSA) professional development training on Quality of Life (QoL) research, considerations, and measures for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and the role of self-determination in improving overall quality of life.
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2023: Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), Statewide Training: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Key Characteristics, Research, and Best Practice Intervention & Support Strategies
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2023: Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), Statewide Training: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism Research, and Strategies for Improved Outcomes in Higher Level Education (College, Technical Programs)
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2022: MetroParent: Autism and IDD challenges with social communication, core features which cause communication difference, best practice approaches and strategies to develop social communication skills.​
If you are interested in professional development, email: contact@balancemi-skills.com
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT​