Description: Autism rates continue to rise and is not more than 2% of the population according to recent CDC reports. Many search for information that is easily understood and also provides ideas for how to best support these individuals. During this workshop participants will be led through a clear understanding of the primary elements of autism through simulation activities, case studies, research results, and visual models. Following a deep dive into autism participants will be guided through the stages of the Emotional Regulation Escalation cycle. Each stage of the cycle will be described and the effective strategies to addressing each stage will be discussed. Examples will be provided that will range from early childhood through working with adults in workplace settings.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the primary role of joint attention and its effects
2. Explain why autism is rooted in communication struggles and not mental or emotional illness
3. Define the key features of Autism from the DSM
4. Distinguish the key elements in the emotional regulation cycle
5. Describe the effective strategies for de-escalating individuals who become emotionally dysregulated
Speaker Bio: Dr. Bruno has provided support for individuals with disabilities and for those who serve them since 1986. His experience spans the life spectrum from directly serving Adults to conducting research with pre-kindergarten students with disabilities. Currently he participates in national conversations with industry leaders to increase hiring and supporting Neurodiverse individuals. He has presented at national and international professional conferences and guided numerous graduate student research projects at institutions such as Florida State University and St. Leos College. Dr. Bruno is the Cofounder and VP for Programs for iSocial. He received his Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and writes on the topic of Autism support for individuals, their employers, their teachers and their support providers.
Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, and/or other Mental Health Professionals