Workshops & Events

Community Resources offers Training, Educational Workshops, and Conferences for teachers, professionals, families, and friends that address topics such as:

• the basics of autism
• teaching and communication strategies
• the special education law
• sensory, sleep, diet and personal care issues
  

Community Resources for People with Autism

2011 -- 2012 Workshop and Training Calendar

Insight Into Autism

During this workshop we will discuss the strengths and challenges that are often experienced by individuals with autism. Area covered include: diagnostic criteria, communication, sensory challenges, and positive behavioral supports. We will also talk about practical strategies to facilitate growth and development, including social competencies. Friends, family members, and support persons are encouraged to attend this valuable workshop.

Easthampton:
Date & Time: Thursday, August 18, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  Community Resources (116 Pleasant St., Ste. 366; Easthampton, MA)
RSVP by Monday, August 15, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Berkshires:
Date & Time: Thursday, November 17, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  BCARC Social Development Ctr. (65 Depot St., Dalton, MA)
RSVP by Monday, November 14, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Springfield:
Date & Time: Thursday, March 22, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  TBA
RSVP by Monday, March 19, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Easthampton:
Date & Time: Thursday, May 31, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  Community Resources (116 Pleasant St., Ste. 366; Easthampton, MA)
RSVP by Tuesday, May 29, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Asperger's 101

This workshop is intended to introduce families and caretakers to Asperger’s Syndrome.  Characteristics and strategies to help individuals are discussed, as well as some of the social difficulties that people with Asperger’s experience.  The workshop will also provide an opportunity to meet other parents of children and young adults with Asperger’s.  We encourage friends, family members, and support persons to attend this valuable workshop.

Springfield
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 20, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  SC@N 360 Family Resource & Learning Center (11 Wilbraham Rd., 2nd Floor, Springfield, MA)
RSVP by Friday, September 16, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Holyoke
Date & Time: Thursday, February 2, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  Holyoke Community College—KC 302 (303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke)
RSVP by Monday, January 30, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Berkshires
Date & Time: Thursday, April 26, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  BCARC Social Development Ctr. (65 Depot St., Dalton, MA)
RSVP by Monday, April 23, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

The Hidden Curriculum

A workshop designed to introduce you to the importance of the "hidden curriculum" - the unwritten social rules and expectations of behavior that we all know but were never taught - and how a lack of these skills impacts individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Individuals who have ASD do not come equipped with the same ability to understand the hidden curriculum. As a result, they break many social and behavioral rules without intent or even knowledge that they are doing so. This, coupled with their difficulty in generalizing information from one situation to another, leads them to making the same mistakes over and over again at tremendous social cost.

This workshop includes strategies and techniques to help children and adults understand social cues and unstated expectations, guidelines for what to do (or what not to do) in specific social situations, and practical tips.

Hadley:
Dates & Times: Thursday, October 27, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  Whole Children (41 Russell St./Rt. 9; Hadley, MA)
RSVP by Monday, October 24, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Berkshires:
Dates & Times: Thursday, March 1, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  BCARC Social Development Ctr. (65 Depot St., Dalton, MA)
RSVP by Monday, February 27, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Springfield:
Dates & Times: Thursday, May 10, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker:  Jason Litto
Location:  TBA
RSVP by Monday, May 7, to:  Community Resources (413) 529-2428

Training Opportunity for School Districts