Understanding and Improving Behavior: A Sensible Approach

Understanding and Improving Behavior: A Sensible Approach Description The presentation will discuss an approach for looking at behavior and effective methods of changing behavior. It will challenge some commonly held beliefs and practices. The content is appropriate for those working with both children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. It will be relevant for school personnel and professionals working in other settings. Learning objectives: 1. Increase the understanding of behavior 2. Understand the functional behavior assessment process 3. Learn strategies to improve challenging behavior Speaker Diane Gould LCSW, BCBA Ms. Gould is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. During her long professional career, Ms. Gould has worked for both private agencies and school systems. Ms. Gould has worked for the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization and the Niles Township District for Special Education. She has served as a consultant and been a guest lecturer for many area school districts and agencies. Ms. Gould was the Childhood Disability and Family Support Specialist for the Jewish Children’s Bureau for over a decade. Ms. Gould has expertise in autism. She served on the Professional Advisory Board of the Autism Society of Illinois for many years. She has provided training on autism and related topics to hundreds of teachers and therapists. Currently Ms. Gould has a full time private practice divided between Deerfield and Westmont, IL. In her practice, she serves children and adults with special needs and their families. As a BCBA, Ms. Gould also provides behavioral assessments and consultation to families and school districts. She also offers the PEERS program, an evidence-based social skills program for teens and young adults. Ms. Gould’s education includes certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn. State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Illinois at Chicago in 1987. She has received additional training from The Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis in Los Angeles, California, The Center for Collaborative Problem Solving, Boston, Massachusetts, UCLA for PEERS certification, and The Social Thinking Center, San José, California. She is a certified Grief Counselor and has recently been certified in Pathological Demand Avoidance. Recorded on 4.18.2019