A Strengths-Based Approach to
Autism and Behavior
In this on-demand course, you’ll learn a concrete process to help you generate more relevant, effective, strengths-based interventions with confidence and ease. This course includes a 1 hour recorded training on autism learning styles and the replay of a 2 hour live training.
Continuing Education
from Learn Play Thrive
Learn a strengths-based process that will change
how you work
MODULE 1: Dive Deep into Autism Learning Styles
Go deep on how kids on the autism spectrum think and learn based on the latest research so that you can feel confident you understand your clients’ learning style way beyond the surface level.
MODULE 2: Take Your Clients' Perspective
Learn how to shift your perspective to truly consider the experience of your autistic clients. This means looking beyond the behavior you can see and diving deep into how the behavior is influenced by the unique way your client thinks and learns.
MODULE 3: Plan Treatments with Confidence
Learn an autism-specific process that will allow you to generate a robust list of hypotheses and interventions every time you sit down with a new goal so that you can stop dreading treatment planning and start approaching it with confidence.
MODULE 4: Take Concrete Steps
Practice using this process together with Meg using cases that are relevant to your own practice so that you walk away with fresh ideas to apply right away. Even though it’s a replay, you’ll still have the time and space to come up with your own ideas and experience the process with the insight of a group supporting you.
MODULE 5: Get Resources to Support You
Get a workbook and a process to complete together with teachers and parents so that you can feel you truly have expertise in using an autism-specific, strengths-based lens, and so that your work can have the greatest impact possible.
Want More Details?
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Access
Once you register, you’ll have access to the recorded replay of the live training for four weeks to complete on your own time.
Continuing Education
This course is registered and will be available for .3 AOTA CEUs and .3 ASHA CEUs.
FAQs
Information about completion requirements, accommodations, and more can be found in the FAQs.
This course is
for you if...
You currently work with autistic kids (note this is the preferred language of the autistic community) on functional daily skills and want to be more effective in your work
You are tired of writing “The purpose of the behavior is to gain attention” and you want to write more relevant and useful behavioral hypotheses
- You currently work with autistic kids (note this is the preferred language of the autistic community) on functional daily skills and want to be more effective in your work
- You are tired of writing “The purpose of the behavior is to gain attention” and you want to write more relevant and useful behavioral hypotheses
You want concrete tools (and a workbook!) to help you shape your interventions based on the strengths of people on the spectrum so that they can experience more ease and success in daily activities.
- You want concrete tools (and a workbook!) to help you shape your interventions based on the strengths of people on the spectrum so that they can experience more ease and success in daily activities.
Meet your
Instructors
Kate McLaughlin,
Kate McLaughlin,
SLP
Kate teaches OTs and SLPs the practical strategies they need to support their clients’ autonomous and authentic connection using strengths-based strategies.
FINANCIAL: Kate receives commission from Learn Play Thrive, LLC for the sale of this course. Kate is the owner of AAC Services of CT, LLC and receives a salary. She is also owner of The AAC Coach, LLC and receives compensation for speaking and coaching services.
NON-FINANCIAL: Kate serves as the unpaid AAC Chair for the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective (TNC). Kate has friends and colleagues who are autistic.
Meg Proctor,
Meg Proctor,
MS, OTR/L
Meg has worked in early intervention, schools, and clinics. She is a former faculty member of the TEACCH® Autism program, and she is the host of the Two Sides of the Spectrum Podcast, where she interviews autistic adults and other professionals striving to change therapy practice.
She is the primary instructor in The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism, where she fills up the toolboxes of OTs and SLPs with strengths-based strategies to use in their work. Meg also teaches Module 1 of the LPT Approach to Autism as a stand-alone live course, A Strengths-Based Approach to Autism.
*We use identity-first language as it’s the preference of most autistic adults and helps to reduce stigma.
FINANCIAL: Meg is the owner of Learn Play Thrive and receives a salary.
NON-FINANCIAL: Meg has friends and colleagues who are autistic.
Rachel Dorsey,
Rachel Dorsey,
MS, CCC-SLP
But she doesn’t stop there: Rachel also teaches us what to do instead. Rachel is the course creator and instructor for Goal Writing for Autistic Students: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach, where she teaches therapists exactly how to wade through incomplete, deficits-based IEPs and nevertheless write perfectly neurodiversity-affirming goals. Rachel is also a guest instructor in The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism.
FINANCIAL: Rachel was paid a speaking fee for her contribution to The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism. Rachel receives commission from her course, Goal Writing for Autistic Students, from Learn Play Thrive. Rachel is the owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC and receives a salary.
NON-FINANCIAL: Rachel is autistic and has friends and family members who are autistic.
Sarah Selvaggi-Hernandez,
Sarah Selvaggi-Hernandez,
MOT, OTR/L
Sarah is an autistic occupational therapist who studies, practices, and teaches person-affirming approaches to sensory-processing differences.
Sarah is a guest instructor in The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism, and is developing a new stand-alone course on sensory processing and self-determination.
FINANCIAL: Sarah was paid a speaking fee for her contribution to this course. Sarah is the author of a book, Melt Like Ice Cream, for which she receives royalties.
NON-FINANCIAL: Sarah is autistic and has friends and family members who are autistic. Sarah is an unpaid board member for NeuroClastic, Inc.
Please note: disclosure statements are contained in the Bio page for each speaker. Click on "READ BIO" above to review the disclosures.
I feel confident that it will change your practice.
– Meg Proctor, Founder of Learn Play Thrive
Course Objectives
A Strengths-Based Approach to Autism & Behavior
Learn how to confidently and clearly understand behaviors and plan interventions based on clients’ strengths.
Develop six or more specific hypotheses about how a behavior may be related to autism learning styles
Generate six or more intervention strategies based on specific client’s strengths
- Develop six or more specific hypotheses about how a behavior may be related to autism learning styles
- Generate six or more intervention strategies based on specific client’s strengths
Training Agenda
MODULE 1: Autism Learning Styles
1 hour
First, you’ll watch a one hour video on Autism Learning Styles to go deep on how autistic kids think and learn, and the strengths of people on the spectrum.
MODULE 2: Interpret Behavior, Write Hypotheses and Generate Interventions
2 hours
Then you’ll join me for a live two hour training where:
I’ll walk you through the interpreting behaviors process step-by-step using the behavior of a child who throws toys during free time. I’ll show you how to use autism learning styles to write hypotheses and generate interventions.
The next part is when the learning really happens. Using the behavior of a child who doesn’t want to transition between activities, we’ll all work through the process together live in the training. You’ll be amazed at the hypotheses and intervention ideas that you are suddenly able to come up with!
- I’ll walk you through the interpreting behaviors process step-by-step using the behavior of a child who throws toys during free time. I’ll show you how to use autism learning styles to write hypotheses and generate interventions.
- The next part is when the learning really happens. Using the behavior of a child who doesn’t want to transition between activities, we’ll all work through the process together live in the training. You’ll be amazed at the hypotheses and intervention ideas that you are suddenly able to come up with!
MODULE 3: Worksheet and Workbook
You’ll receive a worksheet that you can type into or print out and a workbook to make sure you get the most out of the training and can take it into your practice with confidence and skill.
MODULE 4: Quiz Completion
In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must complete a quiz demonstrating mastery of the course content and complete an anonymous course satisfaction questionnaire.
MODULE 5: Receiving Credit
To receive credit for the live training, you must sign in and out of the training. To receive credit for the replay, you must watch all videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is appropriate for professionals working with kids from early intervention through adolescence.
Participants watch a 60 minute video prior to attending the live training. During the live training, you will learn the interpreting behaviors process, practice using it together during a structured case study, and then have time to ask any questions.
If you’d rather attend the live version of this course, check out this link for the next live offering.
For the recorded training, you must watch the replay to 100% completion of the video. You must then pass a quiz in the course in Thinkific with a satisfactory score. You will receive your certificate by email.
No refunds will be issued after you have registered. However you do have the option of transferring your registration to another learner. If the live course is canceled by the instructor, you will be given the option of a full refund or access to a recorded version of the course.
All videos in this course have closed captions that can be turned on or off. If you have other special learning needs, please email [email protected] before registering. Accommodations will be made to support learners in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act.
You can send an email to [email protected]
Why enroll today?
Continuing Education Credit
Receive 3 hours of continuing education credit through a self-paced online course that you can work through over 4 weeks to feel totally confident in your ability to generate more relevant, effective, strengths-based interventions.
Discount to LPT Approach
You’ll get a limited time offer for $59 off my full training, The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism, as this content is also included in module 1 of the LPT Approach to Autism.
Build your skills and your confidence with a process truly grounded in Autism learning styles.
This course will be available for ASHA CEUs from July 15th, 2021 through July 14, 2026.
The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
