Assessment/Evaluation

THE EVALUATION PROCESS
This training discusses the role of team members and various disciplines during the evaluation process. Participants will view a video demonstrating use of the Michigan and how the E.I. Specialists can create a comfortable environment for the adult(s) and child during the assessment.

EI Competencies:
2.6 Individualize and adapt assessment procedures to meet the special needs of the child, the culture of the family and the variety of contexts of the child's daily life (home, community settings, child care).
7.6 Demonstrates understanding of the different roles and competence of different disciplines.

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF ATYPICAL ALIGNMENT IN INFANTS & TODDLERS
This training will address assessment and treatment of atypical postural alignment in infants and toddlers. The first hour will focus on Torticollis. The presentation will include strategies for achieving optimal positioning using commercially available equipment, adapting infant equipment, and how and when to pursue custom positioning and mobility equipment. Helping caretakers understand optimal alignment and positioning will also be included. A variety of adaptive equipment that support optimal postural alignment and allow children greater participation in routines and activities will be demonstrated.

EI Competencies:
6.7 Demonstrates the ability to lift, carry, position and facilitate mobility and function for a child with disabilities.
6.11 Design and implement individual activities using adaptive and assistive technology to facilitate a child's participation and autonomy.

INFANT AND TODDLER FEEDING: ASSESMENT AND TREATMENT
This training will help participants understand infant and toddler feeding. Topics to be covered are anatomy of swallowing, assessment of feeding ability and strategies for skill development while maximizing safety.

EI Competencies:
2.8 Demonstrate skills in alternative methods of assessment including: informant interview, behavior rating scales, parent-child interaction and observation of daily routines and play environments.
6.8 Plan for health, nutrition and feeding needs of specific infants and toddlers.

Behavior Management

TOP TEN LIST: ADVISE FOR PARENTS REGARDING PROBLEM BEHAVIOR AT HOME
This presentation will identify and discuss specific behavior-based strategies for parents to aid in managing and decreasing the occurance of challenging behavior at home and in the community. In addition, participants will be taught behavior-based methods of providing instruction and assistance to children who evidence different learning styles (e.g., non-verbal language disorders, central auditory processing problems and visual learning strengths). Supporting materials will be distributed.

GUIDING THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG CHILDREN
This session will address the challenge of understanding why children learn to use inappropriate as well as positive behavior to communicate with others. The concept of functional assessment of behavior will be introduced and explained using relevant examples. The focus will be on how to teach new communication/behavioral skills to help children learn to meet their needs rather than simple trying to "stop" the undesired behavior.

BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD - THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
This training will describe the range of behavioral concerns demonstrated by children in early childhood programs. The range of “developmentally appropriate behaviors will be contrasted with the types and ranges of behavior that differ from typical development. A discussion of the increasing number of children who present with these concerns will occur, with an emphasis on how practitioners can make a difference by focusing on critical learning skills in early childhood.

THE DEFIANT CHILD, WHAT DO I DO?
The increasing number of children who present with oppositional behavior has resulted in the need to focus on the reasons why such behavior occurs in both typically developing children and those with specific medical or psychiatric causes. The presentation is designed to give parents and practitioner's tools to more effectively manage this behavior as well as support the development of more adaptive and flexible responding on the part of the child. Specific examples of how to build adaptability/flexibility are described. Opportunities to discuss specific audience examples and problem solve them will be provided.

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: INTRODUCTION FOR NON-PRACTITIONERS
This presentation is designed for those individuals who are looking to find out what Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is and is not. A discussion of how it relates to and differs from other types of treatment methods will occur. The presentation will address such issues as “rote” responding, lack of emotionality, rigidity, developing social and play skills, as well as the range of people and skill levels of those implementing ABA

Community

INFANT/CHILD/ADULT CPR

Diagnosis Specific Training

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS - THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
Autism/Pervasive Development Disorders will be defined and described in terms of early symptomatology, diagnostic criteria and description of environmental management of children within the daycare setting. Treatment options and recommendations for enhancing learning and social interaction will be discussed.

INTERVENTIONS FOR SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH ADHD
(being developed)

IFSP/Planning

THE NATURE OF HOME VISITING AND PROVIDING E.I. SERVICES
This training examines the nature and role of the E.I. Specialist as a home visitor with attention to understanding and respect for family culture and functioning.

EI Competencies:
3.1 Demonstrate understanding of the roles, responsibilities and relationships of families in caring for and educating young children with disabilities, including recognition of strengths and resources that families contribute to the child's development.
3.4 Demonstrate understanding and respect of the diversity and individuality of family functioning, including influences of culture and ethnicity.

IFSP TRAINING: WRITING FAMILY GOALS AND STRATEGIES
This training will explore the IFSP process with an emphasis on collaborating with the family to determine their strengths and needs. Participants will practice writing functional child/family outcomes.

EI Competencies:
2.9 Collaborate with the family to identify current level of functioning, strengths and needs of the infant/toddler.
4.3 Demonstrate skills and knowledge to generate functional outcomes and strategies with the team, including the parents.

Infant/Toddler Development

THE IMPACT OF PREMATURITY ON INFANT/TODDLER DEVELOPMENT
This training will present an overview of prematurity and its impact on development and learning in infants and toddlers. Developmental assessment tools will be discussed, as well as how to help parents understand and respond to infant cues, especially in regards to feeding.

EI Competencies: 1.3

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT - HOW THEY CHANGE
This workshop will cover the diverse aspects of infant toddler social emotional development. We will begin with a discussion of temperament, looking at each child's unique predispositions. We will then discuss the critical importance of attachment relationships in all aspects of children's development, including how attachment affects brain development. We will also discuss stages of emotional development and how caregivers can support infants and toddlers as they move through these stages, ending with a discussion of positive limit setting.

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFANT/TODDLER
This workshop will examine early motor development and the sensory and vestibular systems needed to gain muscles control, strength and coordination. Participants will learn to identify reasons why a particular child may have difficulty rolling, crawling or holding a spoon! Activities for enhancing motor development in children with a variety of abilities will be shared.

CONGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS
This workshop will look at how children birth to 3 come to understand how the world works, through the process of sensorimotor development. We will observe, using video, how young children make discoveries and solve problems. We will use homemade toys to encourage participants to revisit the process of learning through discovery. We will then explore how caregivers can encourage and support children as they move through the stages of cognitive development.

LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
This workshop focuses on how to foster language and communication skills in infants and toddlers. The milestones for typical language development will be reviewed as well as reasons or times to be concerned. Activities for facilitating language and communication skills with typically developing and special needs children will be presented as well as strategies to use in a group setting.

The above workshops may be presented individually or as a series

PLAY: YOUR BEST STRATEGY
This workshop is designed for service providers new to Early Intervention. Based on the concept that play is often the foundation for a variety for early leaning experiences, this presentation will look at eh development of play skills and the facilitation of play using toys, the environment and equipment. Other topics will include suggestions for choosing toys that will provide optimal opportunities for learning, working with families and child care providers to develop play strategies, and adapting your toy bag for the child with multiple needs.

EI Competencies:
6.7 Demonstrate the ability to lift, carry, position and facilitate mobility and function for a child with disabilities.
6.11 Design and implement individual activities using adaptive and assistive technology to facilitate a child's participation and autonomy.

REALITY BITES : BITING BEHAVIOR IN EARLY CHILD CARE
The focus of this training is on the range and cause of biting behavior in typically developing children. The challenges of managing and preventing biting in group settings as well as positive and creative teaching based solutions will be discussed. Participants will have opportunities to present real world problems and brainstorm solutions.

IACET CEUs and certificate of attendance available, EI Competencies pending (6.1)

Interventions

POSITIONING, SEATING, AND EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR THE CHILD WITH COMPLEX NEEDS
One of the most challenging tasks facing early intervention providers is providing the child with multiple needs the opportunity to be an active participant in his or her daily life. This presentation will address the aspects of determining appropriate positioning, seating, and equipment use to enable this child to be successful. Using specific examples and demonstrating techniques, Susanne Russell will discuss ways to actively engage the child and capitalize on the child's natural desire to communicate. Issues surrounding the use of high tech versus low tech strategies and the pros and cons of both positioning equipment and communication devices will be explored.

THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR INFANT/TODDLER FEEDING PROBLEMS
Feeding problems are one of the most stressful issues that new parents face, especially when compounded by other medical or developmental concerns. This presentation will focus on identifying problem feeding behaviors in infants and young children, exploring various techniques to facilitate appropriate feeding skills, and utilizing adaptive equipment when necessary. Integrating feeding objectives for the child with the family's priorities for their child will be discussed. Filomena and Jody will share their expertise with a question and answer period at the end of the presentation, with a chance for clinicians to view some of their favorite pieces of feeding equipment.

Management Training

SUPERVISORY SKILLS FOR HUMAN SERVICE MANAGERS
There are key factors responsible for the success of effective managers and supervisors. The most important elements have been combined into a practical seminar, which delivers on-the –job results. Managers will obtain basic skills necessary to ensure greater productivity and efficiency, learning to supervise effectively and motivate employees.
Many supervisors have been promoted from within their organization and have had little or no formal supervisory training. Often they are caught in the middle between line staff and management. Many find themselves supervising former co-workers. Others recognize their need to become more effective supervisors but do not know how to change. This seminar will address these issues.

IACET CEUs (Standard)

Special Needs

INCLUDING CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES IN YOUR DAYCARE
This workshop focuses on the inclusion of young children with a variety of special needs in traditional child care settings. You will learn how to identify children who may need special help and how to receive support and assistance around inclusion. Suggestions for activities that work well for children of all levels of ability will be presented.