Designing Comprehensive Behavior Interventions for Individuals with ASD: The Ziggurat Model

August 12-13 Frisco ISD Career and Technology Education Center

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"A practical and helpful book that provides a comprehensive approach to intervention for more able individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome.  The book is enhanced by use of cases and diagrams and has a practical orientation.  It will be of great benefit to professionals and parents alike."  
- Fred Volkmar, M.D.


“In the past ten years, I have seen three materials that I believe have the potential to advance the progress of children and youth with ASD.  One is the Ziggurat Model.  Aspy and Grossman understand AS/HFA in a way that most people do not.  They have created a simple-to-use, yet comprehensive model to ensure that children’s needs are met throughout the school day.  The Ziggurat program is innovative, based on best practices and focused on the child’s needs.  I wish that I would have created this model.  It is simply brilliant.”
-  Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

“With the Ziggurat Model of intervention, Drs. Aspy and Grossman have synthesized the research on program planning and functional behavior assessment into a useful and user-friendly decision model leading to the development of truly comprehensive, functionally determined educational and behavior support plans.  Highly recommended.”
- Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D.

SESSION DESCRIPTION: 

The Ziggurat Model is a guide for designing comprehensive behavior interventions for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorder.  The Model is being used to help individuals with ASD across the globe.  The Ziggurat Model book won the Autism Society's award for Literary Work of the Year.  Parents, teachers, speech pathologists, psychologists, social workers, educational diagnosticians, physicians, occupational therapists, counselors, school administrators, autism consultants, college students and others will benefit from this training. 

Why learn about the Ziggurat Model?  The Ziggurat Model is ideal for developing effective IEP objectives and behavior intervention plans that address the real needs (the underlying ASD).  Failure to address critical needs related to ASD often results in behavior challenges and lack of progress.  Participants will learn to "see the autism" underneath the behavior and challenges by using a specialized assessment tool, the Underlying Characteristics Checklist.  The five levels of the Ziggurat Model give parents and professionals a systematic way to make sure that underlying needs and characteristics related to ASD are addressed.  

The Ziggurat Model is unique in its approach and fills a void.  The Model promotes collaboration and communication among parents, adolescents and adults with ASD, and professionals.  Emphasis is placed on working as an intervention team.  

The goal of training is to make a difference in the lives of those with ASD by preparing participants to utilize the Ziggurat Model.  The training materials and methods ensure that both novice and experienced participants gain knowledge and skills that they can immediately use. Trainers employ hands-on team activities and case examples with coaching and feedback to increase the participants’ experience in using the Ziggurat Model.  Throughout the training, there is an emphasis on evidenced-based practices.  

Ziggurat Workshops feature:

• Training in a unique award-winning comprehensive approach to intervention planning
   
• Training by the experts who created the model
   
• An interactive training format
   
• Opportunities to collaborate with team members
   
• Coaching and feedback
   
• Evidenced-based strategies
   
• Hands-on application to case examples

Training Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss leading theories regarding the signs and symptoms of autism
   
• Use specially designed assessment tools to identify the relationship of underlying characteristics of ASD with observable behavior
   
• List five areas required for a comprehensive intervention
   
• Identify research validated strategies for intervention on each of the five levels of the Ziggurat
   
• Use the Ziggurat Worksheet to plan a comprehensive intervention
   
• Describe the CAPS Model and how Ziggurat and CAPS work together
   
• Participate effectively as a team member
   
• Identify common pitfalls in intervention design for individuals with ASD

EVENT LOCATION AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Save $25 and register early!  Early Registration ends on July 5th.

Regular registration rates:

Professional $360

Professional Group of 5 or more $325 per person

Parent $285

College Student $285

All participants receive a copy of the Ziggurat Model book with the purchase of a ticket!

The 2-day workshop will be held in the Frisco ISD Career & Technology Education Center on August 12-13.  9889 Wade Blvd. Frisco, TX 75035.

Speech Pathologists: This course is offered for 1.1 CEUs (Intermediate Level, Professional Area).  ASHA Credit is available for a small fee.  Please add ASHA Continuing Education Credit during the checkout process.  Registrants will not receive a certificate until payment has been received and the workshop has been completed.  Participants must sign in as required by ASHA. 

Please use Eventbrite to register and pay for the training (by credit card).  

For payment by check or PO# please download registration form (click link).  You may also contact Dr. Barry G. Grossman at grossman@texasautism.com (214-227-7741).

Cancellations received at least five working days before the workshop are refundable less a $20 administrative charge per registrant.  There is no refund for cancellations received later; however, a ticket is transferrable to another attendee.  Please contact Dr. Barry G. Grossman at grossman@texasautism.com (214-227-7741) to request a refund.

PRESENTERS

RUTH ASPY, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice with the Ziggurat Group. Dr. Aspy specializes in assessment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She is co-author of the Ziggurat Model, winner of the 2008 Autism Society Literary Work of the Year. Dr. Aspy speaks internationally. She has experience in both the clinic and school settings.

BARRY G. GROSSMAN, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and author. He is in private practice with the Ziggurat Group and specializes in assessment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Grossman, along with Dr. Aspy, wrote The Ziggurat Model—a book on designing interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders.  He and his co-author present on this model internationally. The Ziggurat Model has been adopted at the district-wide and state-wide levels.

Ziggurat Model Workshop Agenda

DAY ONE:

DAY TWO:

Disclosures:

Dr. Ruth Aspy

Financial - Dr. Ruth Aspy is a co-author of the Ziggurat Model and co-owner of the Ziggurat Group, P.A..  She receives compensation for presentations, book sales, and private practice services.  

Non-financial - there are no non-financial relationships to disclose.

Dr. Barry Grossman

Financial - Dr. Barry Grossman is a co-author of the Ziggurat Model co-owner of the Ziggurat Group, P.A.  He receives compensation for presentations, book sales, and private practice services.  

Non-financial - there are no non-financial relationships to disclose.