Download a conference brochure for mail in registration / and
the complete conference line up (PDF) Click here
Download a Conference Schedule form New Click here
Our Regional Center
Vendor # ZM0018
Saturday Schedule
7:00-8:30 Registration
8:30 Welcome
8:45 Keynote Minimize Meltdowns with Positive Behavior Support – Dan Davidson, Ph.D.
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is an evolving field that is helping many people with challenging
behavior, and especially those on the autism spectrum. This keynote will provide an overview on how
PBS can incorporate a wide array of interventions, all designed to help the learner be successful by
making challenging behavior unnecessary. Specific examples of the use of PBS in the classroom and
home will be discussed, so that the audience can learn how to implement PBS in those settings to reduce
problem behaviors/meltdowns.
Bio - Dr. Dan Davidson directs Northern Arizona University's graduate program in Positive Behavior
Support, preparing students to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts or the behavioral experts in
their schools. He has worked in the field for almost 30 years in various roles as direct support,
administrator, consultant, and teacher. Dan has devoted his career to helping teachers, parents and
other caregivers use behavioral technology to improve the behavior of those they support in loving and
respectful ways.
Behavior Support Track Room 304 B
10:45 Positive Behavior Support: Meeting the Needs of Both the Learner and the Caregiver – Dan
Davidson, Ph.D.
This is a followup to Dr. Davidson's keynote and is intended for those who want to learn more about: a)
How to better understand the function or purpose of the behavior that challenges you; and b) How to
structure behavior intervention plans that are realistic for teachers, parents, and other caregiver's to
implement.
1:30 Early, Intensive Behavioral Therapy in Arizona: 1-year Outcome Data – Amy Kenzer, Ph.D.,
BCBA. Dr. Kenzer is a Research and Development Manager at CARD (Center for Autism and Related
Disorders).
3:30 RECOVERED – An award-winning documentary of the recovery of four children from autism.
The combined stories of Nick, Janna, Brett, and Ruffin illuminate both their struggles and triumphs
while providing resources and hope to families of newly diagnosed children that recovery is indeed
possible. It’s produced by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD).
Teaching Track Room 304 A
10:45 Stepping Up – A Recipe for Success for Teaching Students with Moderate-Severe Autism - Santy
Agranowitz, M.A. and Ben Rodriguez
This presentation is geared towards parents, teachers, and professionals working with individuals with
autism. Useful strategies to promote a smooth transition from school to adult life will be discussed. It
will focus on answering the questions “What will happen when traditional school is no longer an option?”
and “What can I do to make the transition easier?”. We will discuss how to build important social,
functional, and behavioral skills that can be used in multiple environments, including work, educational,
community, and residential settings. We will also discuss the importance of starting early and how
positive behavior supports can contribute to success in all aspects of life.
Bio: Santy Agranowitz and Ben Rodriguez are special education teachers at the Speech and Language
Development Center, a non-profit school and therapy center in Buena Park, CA.
1:30 Reverse Inclusion, Its Impact on Higher Functioning Students with Autism - Malena Ugalde, M.A.
This presentation is geared towards teachers, parents, and other professionals who have an interest in
developing and implementing an educational program in which students with Autism or Asperger
Syndrome are truly integrated in an educational setting with their neuro-typical peers. Strategies for
individualizing the program to meet student needs, developing appropriate social and communication
skills, and generalizing these skills across settings utilizing peer and adult models will be discussed. The
value of a trans-disciplinary team will also be discussed in relationship to making this program successful
will also be discussed.
Bio: Malena Ugalde is a special education teacher and supervisor at the Speech and Language
Development Center, a non-profit school and therapy center in Buena Park, CA.
3:30 Supporting Students with Asperger’s in the General Education Classroom – Cathleen Cole, M.Ed.
Cathleen Cole is a teacher in LAUSD.
Yoga/Life with Autism Track Room 304 C
10:45 Motion Potions: Yoga Techniques for Self-Regulation – Maria Kowch, B.S., M.E.S., CYI
An introduction to yoga as a powerful, holistic system that addresses relaxation and self-regulation,
specifically designed for children with autism. Includes several yoga activities for participants.
1:30 Yoga Brain Breaks! Classroom Strategies for Less Stress and More Success!
This user-friendly program offers students and teachers short sequences for alerting, calming, focusing,
and decreasing anxiety, all while making the cognitive connection that students have tools they can use
to help themselves feel and function better!
Bio: Maria Kowch is a certified Medical Exercise Specialist, Yoga Instructor and Teacher Trainer. She
blends Yoga, Ayurveda, Therapeutics, Dance and Sensory Integration theory when working with
parents and children of all abilities to promote wellness, ease, optimal health, development, and
functional outcomes. By focusing on each child’s strengths and providing support for the entire family,
Maria creates motivating programs to meet every child's unique needs in a fun, respectful and nurturing
environment!
3:30 Panel of Teens and Adults with Autism/Asperger’s – the real experts
Biomedical Track (Part 1) Room 304 D
10:45-11:30 Assessing Gut Problems in Children with Autism: David Quig, Ph.D.
Dr. Quig will discuss laboratory tests used to assess gut problems.
Dr. Quig is a scientist with Doctor’s Data, a medical testing laboratory.
11:30-12:15 Treating Gut Problems in Children with Autism – Jeff Bradstreet, M.D.
Dr. Bradstreet will discuss different methods used to treat gut problems in children with autism.
1:30-2:30 Enzymes, Digestion, and Spectrum Disorders - Devin Houston, Ph.D.
The lecture will provide a rationale for the incorporation of dietary enzymes into biomedical protocols
for those with spectrum disorders.
Dr. Houston is an enyzme biochemist and the founder of Houston Enzymes.
2:30-3:00 Amino Acid Abnormalities in Autism David Quig, Ph.D.
Dr. Quig will discuss how amino acids (the building blocks of all protein the body) are often abnormal in
children with autism.
3:30-4:15 Anxiety, Mood, and Neurotransmitters – James B. Adams, Ph.D.
Dr. Adams will discuss how neurotransmitters affect brain function and mood, and how many children
with autism often have abnormal levels of neurotransmitters. He will also explain how those
abnormalities can be treated nutritionally.
4:15-5:00 Mitochondrial Disorders – Jeff Bradstreet, M.D.
Dr. Bradstreet will discuss the importance of mitochondria, and discuss new data linking abnormalities in
mitochondria with
*****************************************************************************
Room 304 A-D
5:15-6:30 Plenary Talk: Major International Study of Toxic Metals, Oxidative Stress, and Immunology
in Autism – New Implications for Treatment – Jeff Bradstreet, M.D.
Dr. Bradstreet is an internationally known clinician who specializes in treating children with autism. He
is one of the leading trainers of Defeat Autism Now! physicians, and has conducted research studies on
toxic metals and oxidative stress.
6:30: TACA Special Event Room 304 A-D
Sunday Schedule
7:00-8:30 am Registration
8:30 Welcome
8:45 Keynote: Reduce Sensory-Related Problems with Sensory Integration Susan Golubock, M.Ed.,
OTR/L, Adult with Autism
All information, from our bodies and the world around us, is processed through our senses. How we
perceive ourselves and the world determines how we respond. Discover how those differences in
perception can impact on daily living skills, relationships, learning and communication, from an inside
perspective. Learn how sensory integration therapy can change those perceptions and facilitate more
adaptive responses.
Bio: Susan Golubock, M.Ed, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist who specializes in the use of sensory
intergration techniques to help children and adults with autism/Asperger’s who have sensory
challenges. As an adult with Asperger’s and multiple sensory sensitivities, she has a unique insight into
helping others with similar challenges. Susan co-hosts the Phoenix Adults with Autism/Asperger’s
support group, and is on the planning committee for an international autism retreat/conference on the
east coast. Susan provides consultation services as well as workshops to help parents, educators, and
those on the spectrum better understand each other and work more effectively together.
Sensory Integration Track Room 304 B - Susan Golubock, M.Ed., OTR/L, Adult with Autism
10:45 Sensory Strategies - For easing the challenges of autism at home, school and in the clinic.
1:30 Sensory Processing Strengths - recognizing and using them to increase success at home, school
and in the clinic.
3:30 Integrating Sensory Strategies into the Natural Environment in as Little as Two Weeks by
Meeting Everyone's Needs [for therapists]
Speech/Social Track Room 304 A
10:45 Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech and Language Problems in Autism - Aleen Agranowitz, Ed.
D., CCC-SLP, Sara Jones, M.S., CCC-SLP, David Cavanaugh, M.A., MFC
This presentation will cover Observational Assessment of communication breakdowns to include
comprehension expression and social communication. Treatment strategies to address social
communication and functional language will be discussed.
Bio: Aleen Agranowitz is the founder and CEO of the Speech and Language Development Center
(SLDC), a non-profit school and therapy center in Buena Park, CA. Sara Jones supervises the Speech
department at SLDC, and David Cavanaugh supervises the Counseling department at SLDC.
1:30 Social Groups Across the Ages and Stages - Jessica Postil, PsyD, Executive Director of Autism
Spectrum Consultants, Inc.
Bio: Jessica Postil, PsyD is a renowned Behaviorist. Dr. Postil earned a BA in Psychology from the
University of Southern California, where she worked with schizophrenic adults and adolescents, and a
Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, where she graduated with Psi Chi
honors. She earned a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Health
Psychology at Loma Linda University, which is APA accredited. As a part of her dissertation research,
she wrote the first manualized therapy program for treating executive dysfunction in high functioning
individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Postil has been working with children diagnosed with
autism spectrum disorders since 1993. In June 1998, she founded Autism Spectrum Consultants, Inc.
(ASC). ASC is headquartered in Irvine CA, and is certified by the California State Board of Education
to provide Behavioral Intervention Development (BID) and Behavioral Intervention Implementation
(BII). ASC provides social skills groups to children and teens between the ages of 2 to 18 years. Dr.
Postil is certified to provide emergency behavioral interventions with children exhibiting severe
behavior problems. She has presented at national and international conferences as a key-note speaker,
and has presented workshops and in-services for private and non-profit organizations around the world.
3:30 Augmentative & Alternative Communication Strategies for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum. -
Carol Casperson, MS, Marshall Fenig, MA, CCC-SLP.
Family/Life Track Room 304 C
10:45 Play! Play! Play! Facilitating Play Dates That are Fun, Motivating & Reinforcing
Howard Tsernov, M.A., supervises Behavioral,inclusion and Social Skills/Friendship Development
Programs Programs for children with Autism at Inclusive Education and Community Partnership (IECP).
1:30 Conservatorships and Special Needs Trusts – Diedre Wachbrit, Board-Certified Specialist
Attorney
Use Conservatorships to protect your child from predators, and use Special Needs Trusts to meet
demanding SSI and Medi-Cal financial rules.
3:30 Family Support - The Common Sense Approach - Una Hayes-Shepard, MSW, ACSW
This model identifies core challenges in AST often missed in traditional Behavioral Analysis, and
provides an eclectic approach for families and professionals.
Biomedical Track (Part 2) Room 304 D
10:45 Toxic Metals and Autism – David Quig, Ph.D., will discuss how to assess the body burden of toxic
metals, and how various medications can be used to remove toxic metals.
11:30 Safety and Efficacy of Chelation Therapy – James B. Adams, Ph.D., will discuss the results of a
major study of the use of DMSA for removing toxic metals from children with autism.
1:30 The Immune System and Autism - Judy van de Water, Ph.D.
An in depth overview of the current research on the relationship between the immune system and
autism at UC Davis and the MIND Institute.
3:30 Panel of Recovered Kids, moderated by Lisa Ackerman, founder of TACA
Saturday
7:30 AM Registration / Exhibit Hall Open Coffee and Juice
8:30 AM Welcome
8:45 AM Keynote
10:15 AM Break / View Exhibits Coffee and Juice
10:45 AM Break out sessions your choice
12:15 PM Lunch Break View Exhibits
1:30 PM Break out Sessions your Choice
3:00 PM Break / View Exhibits
3:30 PM Break out Sessions
5:00 PM End Sessions Exhibit hall closed
5:15 PM Special Session with Jeff Bradstreet
6:30 PM TACA Special EVENT
Sunday
7:30 AM Registration / Exhibit Hall Open Coffee and Juice
8:30 AM Welcome
8:45 AM Keynote
10:15 AM Break / View Exhibits Coffee and Juice
10:45 AM Break out sessions your choice
12:15 PM Lunch Break View Exhibits
1:30 PM Break out Sessions your Choice
3:00 PM Break / View Exhibits
3:30 PM Break out Sessions
5:00 PM End Sessions Exhibit hall closed
OUR Conference is Located at:
Anaheim Convention Center
3rd floor Ballroom E
800 W Katella Ave Anaheim CA 92802