Upcoming Live Events
| March 30 & 31, 2012 Vancouver, BC Presented by: Isabelle Hénault, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, University of Québec at Montréal Co-sponsored by The Ministry of Children and Family Development & Simon Fraser University Register Online or use our Registration Form (PDF) |
About the Event:
| For: Community professionals, parents & adults with ASD |
| Level: Intermediate/advanced |
| Focus: Able teens and adults with ASD/Asperger’s Syndrome |
| Autism-specific? Yes |
This two day event is a response to the hundreds of parents and professionals around B.C. who have asked ACT to provide training on the complex needs of more able teens and young adults with ASD. It is widely recognized that this group of young people do need specialized support in developing healthy relationships. One of the greatest challenges they face as they engage in social relations at school, in higher education, in the workplace and in the community is developing skills to navigate the social minefield of social and sexual relations. It was Michelle Garcia Winner, innovator of Social Thinking and a favourite of ACT audiences, who urged ACT to bring Dr. Isabelle Hénault to B.C. to help us fill this gap in our understanding. Dr. Henault is highly regarded internationally as a presenter who excels in helping community professionals, including school teams, and parents, provide relevant resources to enable this vulnerable group of young people to safely gain greater confidence in their personal and social interactions. She has spent two years working at Dr. Tony Attwood's clinic in Australia working with a group of young people to further develop her skills. Participants in this event will find many insights to empower these young people to launch themselves safely into the wider social world.
Day 1: Development Of Adaptive Social and Sexual Skills For Individuals With Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
The presentation will elaborate on strategies to improve the social and sexual skills of individuals with AS. The following topics will be addressed:
(1) Friendship: personal values, personality and interpreting different messages;
(2) Emotions: "Mind Reading" software, how to read emotions of the face, expressing emotions related to sexuality;
(3) Communication: verbal and non verbal, Theory of Mind;
(4) Sexual behaviour: enhancing appropriate behaviours, hyper- and hyposensitivity of the body;
(5) Intimacy: in couples and families, misinterpretations, demands;
(6) Interpersonal relationships in different contexts: school, work, friends, couples.
Finally, case illustrations and examples will be discussed.
Day 2: Emotion Management and Strategies for individuals With Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
The presentation explains why children and adults with Asperger's syndrome are more prone to develop mood disorders and also explains strategies that can help such individuals learn about and manage emotions. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy includes affective education and cognitive restructuring, i.e. improving the understanding of emotions and changing the way the person perceives and responds to emotions. The concept of an emotional toolbox is used to provide a greater range of strategies to manage feelings. The Exploring Feelings activities from Tony Attwood and the CAT-KIT from Kirsten Callisen and colleagues will be presented.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Isabelle Hénault is a psychologist who teaches at the University of Québec at Montréal, Canada. Her practice and studies have focused on providing diagnosis, education and support to children, adolescents, adults and couples living with Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Hénault has developed a relationships and sex education program, and works with individuals and groups to increase their understanding of sexuality, and conducts relationship counseling. She is presently collaborating on numerous international research initiatives involving socio-sexual education and interpersonal relationships. As Michelle Garcia Winner explains, "Isabelle is an engaging speaker who has important evidence-based information to share related to social sexual perceptions, needs, and learning strategies for adolescents and adults with ASD. She makes what is often considered 'an uncomfortable topic' very comfortable to engage in!"
Dr. Hénault is the author of Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood, published in 2005 by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, London.
Cost/Funding:
| Date | Parents, Para-Pros & Students | Professionals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Rate Ends: | February 27, 2012 | $150 | $200 |
| Regular Rate Ends: | March 23, 2012 | $200 | $250 |
| Late Rate Begins: | March 24, 2012 | $225 | $275 |
Group rates: Register two or more people at one time and save 10%. Please call the office to register for this special rate.
or call ACT at 1-866-939-5188 (toll free) or 604-205-5467
Bursaries
Bursaries for low-income participants and/or those travelling from outside their home regions to an event are available for B.C. residents. Call ACT’s office for more information or email
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with your request prior to registering. ACT provided $18,000 in bursaries in 2011 and gratefully accepts donations to our bursary fund. More Bursary Information >
Autism Funding:
Parents who receive Autism Funding may use 20% of the total for equipment, books, training and travel costs. ACT’s live and online events and the books we sell at our book table are all considered eligible expenses by the Autism Funding Unit. More Autism Funding Information >
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Workshop Location:
SFU Downtown Campus - Harbour Centre
515 W. Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
This event is accessible by public transit. Contact Translink for directions and schedules for the West Coast Express, Skytrain, Seabus and busses.
Hotel Information:
In order to stretch the funds participants have available, ACT negotiates preferred rates at city hotels. Please look below for hotel details including links to directions.
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Workshop Schedule:
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Registration |
| 9:00 – 10:30 | Morning Session One |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Break – Coffee served |
| 11:00 – 12:45 | Morning Session Two |
| 12:45 – 1:45 | Lunch – on your own |
| 1:45 – 3:30 | Afternoon Session |
Participant Comments
From March 30 & 31 event:
"You opened so many doors for all my teens, but especially my two girls with AS"
"very inspiring, warm and great examples"
"one of the best workshops I have attened in quite a while (please have her again)"
"Isabelle was a wonderful speaker - insightful, humerous, and extremely informative as well as sincere"
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Continue the Conversation Online:
We are working to build an online community space (the AOLC) for you to share stories, successes and to reflect and learn. It can provide a learning and community space that you can access at a time and location that is convenient for you.
You may wish to be an active participant, posing and answering questions, encouraging others to share their stories, and actively contributing to the creation of a safe and welcoming environment. You may wish to browse and take your time before engaging with the online community.
* When you register online for the first time you are automatically given an ACT Online Account. Use this account to participate in the ACT Online Learning Community, register for more live events or subscribe to online videos.
