Healthy Lifestyles for Individuals with ASD
This workshop, sponsored by Seton Hall's Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, will address the application of evidenced-based behavioral strategies to promote healthy lifestyles for individuals with ASD.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Seton Hall University
Walsh Library, Beck Room
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
Program
The characteristics of autism may interfere with an individual's successful participation in traditional forms of physical activity and the development of healthy eating habits. This workshop, led by two professionals in the field, including the parent of an adult with autism, aims to explore evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles and inclusion opportunities for adolescents and adults with ASD. The workshop will examine the challenges of traditional dieting for those with ASD, and consider the limits of community-based health and fitness programs. Further discussion will explore opportunities for strategic collaboration among nutritionists, fitness professionals, parents, and adolescents and adults with ASD who are interested in applying a research-based behavioral approach to effective fitness and nutrition programs for individuals with ASD.
Workshop Presenters
Since 1975, Linda Meyer Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA, MPA, CPT, has served NJ's autism community as a teacher, advocate, consultant, adjunct professor, educational administrator, volunteer, personal fitness trainer and nonprofit manager. She is the co-founder of the Alpine Learning Group in Paramus, NJ and served as its founding executive director from 1989 until 2005. She serves on the professional advisory boards and board of directors of several schools and agencies serving individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Meyer has presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and authored articles and book chapters on various special education, nonprofit management and personal fitness topics. She has taught doctoral and masters level students in educational, clinical psychology and applied behavior analysis graduate school programs.
Barbara Wells is the Director of Food Services for a New Jersey public school district. She is also the parent of an adult with autism who faced significant food issues. As a dietitian and a school nutrition specialist, she has worked through many dietary challenges for students of all abilities.
Takeaways
The workshop will focus on enabling participants to achieve the following outcomes:
- Identify research-based instructional strategies used to promote physical fitness, safety, sports performance, and leisure skills for individuals with ASD in community settings.
- Develop achievable nutritional goals in collaboration with an individual’s lifestyle.
- Identify strategies on how to begin nutrition and fitness programs.
- Identify measurement procedures to promote accountability in nutrition and fitness programs.
Intended Audience
This workshop is an intermediate-level event designed for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA), who can earn two (2) Type 2 CE units for satisfactorily attending the workshop.