January 31, 2017 at 12:00pm EST, SPARK will be hosting an event called “Adulting”: Effectively Preparing Individuals with ASD. To register follow this link: Adulting.
About this event
The transition from adolescence to adulthood does not always receive as much attention as is needed. Often transition services are limited, leaving individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) without the level of preparation needed for “adulting”. We need to begin preparing individuals with ASD as early as possible for the future. The overall goal is for the individual with ASD to have the best quality of life possible. There are a number of variables that become increasingly important as a child with autism moves through adolescence and then onto adulthood. Specific areas of concern that will be discussed include: skill selection, fading of systems, prompt dependency, schedules of reinforcement, behavioral support, and dependency on 1:1 instruction.
Mary E. McDonald, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Mary E. McDonald has 25 years’ experience directing programs for students with autism from early intervention through adulthood. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Specialized Education at Hofstra University and also directs the Advanced Certificate Programs, including the advanced certificate in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Dr. McDonald is serving as the Interim Associate Executive Director of Long Island Programs for
Eden II/Genesis. Eden II is a nonprofit organization that supports people with autism throughout their lives to achieve their full potential through service, science and passion.
Dr. McDonald completed her Ph.D. in Learning Theory at the CUNY Graduate Center and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral Level and a licensed behavior analyst in New York State. She has published articles in the areas of self-management, social reciprocity, fads in autism intervention, and schedules to promote cooperation of vocational skills.