Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience high rates of anxiety, with as many as 40% of youth having diagnosable anxiety disorder. That number jumps to 50% for adults with ASD, much higher than rates for youth and adults who don’t have ASD. Research has shown that people with autism have a higher risk of adverse and potentially traumatic childhood experiences.  Additionally, children, youth, and adults with ASD may express anxiety very differently from neurotypical people, and as a result, those around them may inadvertently increase rather than decrease stressors. The language and social skills differences associated with ASD make diagnosis and treatment challenging at best. Join POAC Autism Services  for a full day conference exploring these issues. Specifically, we will address the following:

• Causes of anxiety and trauma in individuals with ASD 
• How to identify anxiety and trauma in individuals with ASD
• Review of assessment tools
• Interventions such as the SCARF Model and trauma informed care
• Review of commonly used strategies that may have an effect on stress and anxiety

The conference fee includes breakfast and lunch. Up to 7 type II BACB CEUs are available. Certificates of attendance will also be provided for NJ Department of Education CEU hours.

Registration Fee: 

Current POAC Members          $40

Non POAC Members               $70 

BACB CEUs are available for full day or half day (8:00am-11:45am) attendance. Fee for these credits is in addition to the above registration fee.       

7 BACB credits                       $70

3 BACB credits                       $30

Purchase orders will be accepted with a valid purchase order number. 

About the Presenter:

Dr. Bobbie Gallagher, BCBA-D

Autism Center for Educational Services (“ACES”)

Dr. Gallagher is a BCBA-D with her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP).   She is the Director of Clinical Training for the Online ABA Program at TCSPP and the owner of ACES.  She is the author of “A Brick Wall: How a Boy with No Words Spoke to the World.” For more than 20 years Dr. Gallagher has worked in the field of ABA, speaking nationally to educate others on the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and for the last six years with a focus in the area of sexuality. She completed a three hour online training program for the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training to assist in training teachers across the state of Texas on the sexual education needs of those with autism. As an invited speaker, Dr. Gallagher provided a workshop to the New Jersey Probation Officers. She completed her certification courses at the Florida Institute of Technology, holds a Master’s in Special Education from New Jersey City University, and a BA in Communication Studies from Monmouth University. She is the mother of three and currently resides at the Jersey Shore with her husband and two adult children with autism.