Course Description

Sarcasm, metaphors, facial expressions. Conversations are a minefield of complex social stimuli that must be navigated by skilled detectives in order to participate on the playground, on the soccer field, and at the mall. Where do we start, what do we teach and how do we teach it? This workshop will explore how to teach your advanced learner the subtle nuances of conversations including: how to recognize when someone is bored, how to detect sarcasm, how to respond to disguised mands, and how to maintain and engage in conversations during play. Giving you the tools to confidently teach your advanced learner the skills they need to be a conversation pro next recess. This course is one part of a four-part Verbal vs. Non-Verbal Behaviour Series that dives into the functional analyses of language by teaching learners with autism how to use verbal or non-verbal immediacy behaviours to communicate and deepen their relationships with their peers and loved ones. To view the other courses in this series, click here. To view the precursor course on teaching conversation skills in early and intermediate learners, click here.

Participants will:

• Learn about important conversation skills to teach advanced learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including recognizing interested and uninterested behaviours, changing topics, and identifying forms of non-literal communication
• Understand how to use a Behaviour Skills Training (BST) Model to teach more advanced communication skills
• Identify communicative components and what they mean to children with autism including facial expressions, intonations, body language, and gestures
• Be able to break down social concepts for children with autism by helping them detect and respond to sarcasm, metaphors, and disguised mands
• Be able to teach conversation skills in play through board games, video games, and provided worksheet

1 Learning CEU Available

This content is intended for those who: have or are pursuing RBT/BCaBA/BCBA designations; teachers, and therapists. This course is also designed for other individuals, professionals or anyone whose role uses ABA to design & implement programming to decrease behaviours and increase skill acquisition of individuals with autism or to support individuals with developmental disabilities in any capacity.