Learning to Support Children and Youth

This interactive learning session introduces the foundational principles of behaviour. It gives participants practical ways to apply these ideas in the classroom, at home, and in community settings to help teach important skills and respond to behaviours that impact a child or youth’s quality of life.

1. Understand behaviour through a neurodiversity-affirming perspective
2. Understand the dimensions of behaviour and the four-term contingency
3. Understand foundational behaviour principles, including reinforcement and punishment
4. Identify different functions of behaviour and what someone may be communicating
5. Recognize supports and motivators that are meaningful to each individual
6. Apply behaviour support principles in ways that promote inclusion, dignity, and respect for children and youth

This interactive learning session builds on the information shared in Back to the Basics: An Introduction to What Drives Behaviour. The focus of this session is on how to teach new skills in meaningful, practical ways.

1. Understand how to choose goals that are meaningful for each child or youth, based on their strengths, needs, and priorities.
2. Learn how to break down skills into clear, teachable steps (task analysis).
3. Explore how to teach new skills and support ongoing practice and use.
4. Become familiar with different prompting strategies and how to fade support over time.
5. Learn how to use reinforcement to support and strengthen learning.

1. Understand how distress behaviours can develop as adaptive responses to sensory, communication, or environmental challenges.
2. Gain insight into how behaviours serve meaningful purposes, such as seeking comfort, expressing needs, or supporting self-regulation.
3. Develop a foundational understanding of positive reinforcement in a way that honours each child’s unique motivations, preferences, and strengths.
4. Learn ways to build adaptive skills and create supportive environments that celebrate neurodiversity and help children succeed in daily routines.

This interactive workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to autism through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Participants will explore the diverse ways autistic individuals experience the world, with a focus on strengths, communication styles, and sensory experiences that shape each person’s identity.

1. Develop a more affirming understanding of autism as a natural part of human diversity, moving beyond deficit-based perspectives.
2. Gain insight into how differences and strengths can shape daily life, with a focus on supporting self-advocacy, autonomy, and well-being.
3. Learn how to better understand the purpose behind behaviours and explore supportive strategies that respect and accommodate neurodiverse needs.

This interactive workshop builds on the ideas introduced in Back to the Basics: Understanding Behaviour, with a focus on understanding behaviour through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Together, we’ll look at how behaviours—especially those linked to distress—are meaningful ways people communicate and express themselves.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognize that behaviours of concern often serve a purpose and can be valid forms of communication and self-advocacy.
2. Understand behaviour in the context of each person’s environment, strengths, and neurodiverse identity.
3. Identify supportive, respectful strategies that address challenges while promoting well-being and building on individual strengths and motivations.
4. Develop an individualized, function-based support plan that helps the person feel empowered and participate meaningfully in everyday life.

This workshop provides a clear, practical look at the stages of the behaviour escalation cycle, helping participants build the skills to de-escalate situations and thoughtfully re-engage individuals after an incident. Along the way, participants will also explore proactive ways to reduce the likelihood of escalation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the stages of the behaviour escalation cycle and how they affect individuals and overall well-being.
2. Identify and use effective de-escalation strategies to support individuals during challenging moments.
3. Recognize when and how to re-engage individuals in a respectful and supportive way after an escalation.
4. Learn ecological antecedent strategies and other proactive, supportive approaches to prevent escalation and promote positive outcomes.

This interactive workshop focuses on understanding and using Functional Communication Training (FCT) in ways that are both neurodiversity-affirming and grounded in evidence-based practices. Participants will learn practical strategies to recognize each individual’s unique communication style and strengths, and to identify meaningful replacement behaviours that reflect their needs and preferences.

The workshop highlights how to support a reduction in distress behaviours without labeling or pathologizing them. It also explores the use of visual communication supports that align with neuro-affirming principles, helping ensure communication is accessible and respectful of individual differences. All strategies are rooted in evidence-based approaches, ensuring that interventions are both scientifically validated and support autonomy, dignity, and identity.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand how to assess the function of behaviour using an evidence-based, neuro-affirming approach that values the individual’s perspective, communication, and context.
2. Learn how to identify and teach alternative behaviours that are meaningful, respectful, and tailored to the individual’s strengths, motivations, and communication preferences.
3. Explore how to use visual communication supports in FCT in ways that are accessible, inclusive, and support autonomy across different neurotypes.

This interactive workshop focuses on creating and using social narratives in ways that honour neurodiversity and build on individual strengths. Participants will have the opportunity to create personalized social narratives that reflect each person’s unique perspective and lived experience.

The workshop also explores visual supports as meaningful communication tools, including an overview of communication devices and apps that support accessible, inclusive communication. Participants will gain hands-on experience using visual supports to empower individuals and support greater independence and choice in communication.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop and use social narratives that are neuro-affirming and reflect the individual’s perspective and context.
2. Explore a range of visual supports as inclusive communication options that respect different communication preferences.
3. Gain understanding of how to use communication devices to support accessibility, self-expression, and autonomy.
4. Review communication apps (such as Proloquo2Go and TouchChat) and their role in supporting individuals across neurotypes.

This interactive workshop focuses on neurodiversity-affirming approaches for teaching social skills in a group setting. Participants will learn practical, direct instruction strategies that respect individual differences and build on each person’s strengths, helping ensure teaching is meaningful, accessible, and inclusive of all neurotypes.

The workshop also highlights the role of self-regulation in social interactions, encouraging participants to recognize and value the many different ways people connect with others. In addition, participants will learn how to plan and run a social skills group in the community, creating spaces that support authentic, inclusive social experiences. Demonstrations will show how group contingencies can be used in ways that are supportive, empowering, and affirming for every group member.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the difference between social skills and social competence, recognizing that individuals may experience and express social connection in different ways.
2. Apply direct instruction to teach social skills in the community using neuro-affirming, respectful approaches that reflect diverse communication styles and preferences.
3. Use a variety of teaching strategies—such as social narratives, incidental teaching, peer learning, and video modeling—to support authentic and meaningful social engagement.
4. Support the generalization of social skills by creating inclusive opportunities to practice skills in ways that are meaningful to each individual.
5. Reinforce learning in group settings using group contingencies that are affirming, inclusive, and responsive to individual strengths and motivations.
6. Learn how to structure and organize a social skills group in the community, creating a supportive environment that values neurodiversity and fosters a sense of belonging.

This interactive workshop focuses on neurodiversity-affirming ways to support individuals experiencing anxiety. Participants will learn how to create individualized support plans that respect diverse ways of thinking and feeling. The workshop explores collaborative assessment, respectful data collection, understanding the ABCs of behaviour in context, and identifying strengths-based reinforcers that are meaningful to each person.

Participants will also work through a detailed, real-life case example that highlights and honours neurodiverse perspectives.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognize the difference between everyday anxiety and anxiety that more significantly impacts well-being, while respecting individual differences and needs.
2. Understand the difference between behaviours related to anxiety and those shaped by social or environmental context.
3. Learn neuro-affirming ways to assess anxiety-related behaviours, including defining behaviours collaboratively, gathering information respectfully, and considering environmental influences.
4. Identify reinforcers that are meaningful and supportive, based on each individual’s interests and preferences.
5. Understand how to use neurodiversity-affirming strategies and reinforcement approaches to build supportive, individualized behaviour plans.

This interactive workshop explores stress and the wide range of ways it can be experienced and expressed. Participants will learn both general and individualized strategies for navigating stress through a mix of multimedia and collaborative activities.

The workshop emphasizes the importance of honouring different sensory and emotional responses. Participants will also learn how and when to use relaxation techniques—such as Autogenic Training and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)—in ways that are flexible and responsive to each person’s comfort, preferences, and needs.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Recognize a range of stressors and identify signs of stress, understanding that these can look different for each person.
2. Understand common strategies for managing stress, including the benefits of regular movement, while respecting individual preferences and needs.
3. Learn about and practice Autogenic Training as a flexible tool that can be adapted to support different sensory and emotional experiences.
4. Learn and practice the key components of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, including how to adjust it for comfort and accessibility.
5. Understand the role of positive reinforcement and how to use relaxation strategies in ways that affirm neurodiverse identities and experiences.