The Alliance is again presenting a series of virtual ZOOM presentations and workshops for parents for our 2024-2025 Conference.
Registration for all ZOOM Workshops is now available.
Check out our schedule, register and mark your calendars!
December 12, 2024, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Maximizing Your Services Through the NJCAT
Hinkle, Prior, and Fischer, P.
The New Jersey Comprehensive Assessment Tool (NJCAT) is a mandatory assessment used by DDD. A parent’s responses to the questions on the NJCAT produce a score that DDD uses to establish a funding tier for an individual budget, or to determine the reimbursement rate a provider will receive for that individual’s services. Too often families and caregivers fill out the form incorrectly, resulting in a very low budget for their child. In this presentation attendees will develop a broad understanding of how to answer the questions to adequately capture the needs of their loved one with disabilities. The 90-minute presentation includes time for Q&As.
This event is co-sponsored by ASAH
Register in advance for this meeting:
About our presenters
Attorneys at Hinkle, Prior & Fischer, P.C., have over 70 years of combined experience providing specialized legal services to families of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, and seniors. They have argued many of the precedent setting cases affecting individuals with disabilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Maria Fischer, Esq.
S. Paul Prior
Herbert D. Hinkle
February, 18, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Understanding and Supporting Individuals with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Featuring Dr. Michael Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-
Michael Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D (Executive Director of Behavior Therapy Associates) will share the complexities of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which has recently been considered a distinct pattern of behavior most often seen among individuals with autism and can co-occur with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and PTSD. PDA is characterized by an overwhelming resistance to everyday demands and requests. Individuals with this behavioral profile commonly need to establish and maintain control, which is often related to their significant discomfort (i.e., anxiety). Their behaviors commonly interfere with their functioning across situations and environments, and these behaviors tend not to respond as well to conventional treatment approaches. Successful intervention includes fostering greater flexibility, social awareness, empathy, and adaptive skills to increase their independence. Dr. Selbst will discuss based practices to more effectively support, manage, and educate individuals with PDA.
This event is co-sponsored by ASAH
Register in advance for this meeting:
Dr. Michael Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D
About Our Speaker
Michael C. Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D is the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy Associates in Somerset, New Jersey. He is a Licensed Psychologist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Certified School Psychologist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral level. Dr. Selbst earned his undergraduate degree with honors in Psychology at the University of Delaware, and he was awarded a University Fellowship to Temple University, where he attained his Master’s in Education and Ph.D. in School Psychology.
He has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of clients who presents with symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, social skills deficits, learning disabilities, as well as family and relationship issues, parent training, and co-parenting. Dr. Selbst has extensive experience working with pre-school aged children through adults, including expertise helping individuals working through significant life changes and transitions. He has led numerous workshops, including at local, statewide, national and international conferences. Dr. Selbst is co-author of the Behavior Problems Resource Kit: Forms and Procedures for Identification, Measurement and Intervention and the social skills curriculum, POWER-Solving®: Stepping Stones to Solving Life’s Everyday Social Problems, and the book chapter “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” in A. G. Dempsey’s (Ed.) book, Pediatric health conditions in schools: a clinician’s guide for working with children, families, and educators.
March 6, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Think College – Exploring College for Students with Intellectual Disability: Families Make it Happen!
Featuring Danie Roberts-Dahm, PhD
As students transition out of high school, they have many decisions to make about their future. Students with intellectual disability who go to college get a chance to make friends, try new things, take classes, and get jobs. Most importantly, they get the chance to broaden their independence and figure out what they want their lives to look like. Opportunities for students with intellectual disability to go to college are increasingly available. This session provides an overview of inclusive postsecondary education options and then outlines some steps you can take to learn more about college options.
Register in advance for this meeting:
Danie Roberts-Dahm, PhD
About Our Speaker
Danie is the project coordinator of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network. She leads project implementation, including regional partnership development, training and technical assistance, and dissemination. Prior to Think College, Danie served in leadership roles at an inclusive postsecondary program and a state technical assistance center focused on the transition of students with disabilities in Florida. Danie’s work has been focused on the development of inclusive college opportunities for students with disabilities.