Title: PaTTAN Webinar - Autism and Related Services: In Collaboration with Occupational and Physical Therapy Practitioners

Course Description: During this virtual session, autistic support teachers will engage with related services personnel including Occupational and Physical Therapy Practitioners and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to share best practices and collaborate in autistic support classrooms. Collaboration between teachers and related services provides opportunities to be efficient with instruction and increase sessions to practice skills throughout the school day. This networking event will also include ways to share resources, train staff members, data systems and scheduling. Following the presentation, teachers will move into breakout rooms for networking across the various related services for questions and discussions.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Apply evidence-based intervention strategies tailored to the needs of individuals with ASD
• Utilize tools for data-based decision making
• Explore strategies and scheduling for effective interdisciplinary collaboration
• Enhance communication and coordination among multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent and effective support
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of speech therapists, and occupational and physical therapy practitioners in supporting teachers in autistic support classrooms

Speakers: 
Elizabeth Konde has been an OT since 1995 with extensive experience in early intervention and school based practice. She earned her bachelor's degree at Misericordia University and a Master's Degree at Thomas Jefferson University. Elizabeth earned a certification in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test and a certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University. Before joining PaTTAN, she was the coordinator for OT and PT services and services for students with Blind and/or Visual Impairments for the School District of Philadelphia.

Jennifer Hess has been a physical therapist serving the pediatric population for over 27 years in early intervention, school-based settings and pediatric trauma. Other experience includes critical care, adult trauma, acute care, and outpatient services. Currently, Jennifer works as a PT Consultant under PaTTAN’s Autism Initiative. Jennifer graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Health Science in 1996 and her Master of Physical Therapy in 1997. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Pennsylvania Chapter of the APTA and APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and extended family.

Molly Zimmerman is a dual certified Speech Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who works as an educational consultant for PaTTAN’s Autism Initiative. Molly received her undergraduate and graduate degrees related to Speech Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh. She obtained her graduate certificate in behavior analysis from Florida Institute of Technology and received board certification from the BACB in 2022. Molly has over 15 years of experience providing speech and language services to students in autism support classrooms. She also served as internal coach for PaTTAN supported classrooms for over 10 years prior to becoming an educational consultant for PaTTAN in 2023.

Target Audience
Autistic Support Teachers; Board Certified Behavior Analysts; Speech and Language Pathologists; Any special educator supporting autistic support, life skills, and/or learning support classrooms

Location: Virtual

Credit: Act 48 clock hours; OT, PT

Register Here

For general registration information and questions, please contact Michael Stagemyer, PaTTAN Central at [email protected]

For content related information and questions, please contact Beth Konde, PaTTAN Central at [email protected] or Jen Hess, PaTTAN Central at [email protected]