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Session Titles and Descriptions
Keynote Presentation: The Future of Autism Services
Carey Beranek, BCBA, Vice President & Clinical Director
Services for people on the autism spectrum are rapidly evolving. Caregivers, autistic adults, and professionals are calling for a shift in how we think about and deliver supports. This talk will highlight several important features of a contemporary approach to autism services and provide examples of how parents & caregivers can support these practices.
DDD, AHCCCS, Insurance... Who Pays for What?
Nia Uhlenhake, Family Support Specialist
Understanding the systems of care in Arizona can be overwhelming. What does DDD do? Why do we need ALTCS? How does AHCCCS play a role? What about private insurance? Where is all the funding coming from, and how can we access the services our child needs? Our Family Support Team is here to help with understanding and navigating these systems of care and to explain who pays for what services.
Best Practices for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
Jennifer Thompson, SLPA, Speech & Language Specialist
Everyone should have a voice! AAC systems are a great way to support verbal communication at home and in the community for individuals of any age. This presentation will review different AAC devices, describe how to apply for one through DDD, and explain what to expect when a new device is received. Tips will be shared on how to support all communication modalities by creating a communication-rich environment for your child.
Recent DDD Changes & New Opportunities for Families
April Jones, BCBA, SLPA, Direct Support Services Manager
Things are changing constantly at DDD and it can be hard for families to keep up! In this presentation we will review important updates that families need to understand, including the recent ARPA funding for recruiting providers and how this can benefit your child. You will learn about Electronic Visit Verification and changes to the DDD Planning Document, as well as the latest information related to the Parents as Temporary Direct Care Workers program (also known as "parent providers").
Improving Behavior through Values Driven Parenting
Morgan Chipley, BCBA, Senior Clinical Supervisor
This interactive presentation will focus on managing and responding to challenging behaviors with self-compassion. We will walk parents through activities to define their values related to parenting and how to apply those to evidence-based behavior improvement strategies. We will discuss how linking behavior strategies to parenting values can make difficult situations meaningful and help behavior improvement last longer. Attendees will understand ways to move forward in the face of challenging behavior, when it is most difficult to stay aligned with what's most important. Parents will leave with tools to create values-driven goals to continue their journey at home, in the community, or wherever challenging behaviors occur.
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