_____________________
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 29
San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
Autism:
A social thinking
conference
Brad Mason, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
Licensed Psychological Associate
September 25-26, 2009
Texas State University-San Marcos
Department of Communication Disorders
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
A professional conference
sponsored by the
Department of
Communication Disorders
This dynamic conference provides participants with new ideas about
teaching children to interact with verbal and nonverbal communication
and to appreciate and value the reciprocal joy of connection with others
over solitary play. The participants will also learn about approaches to
handling dominating behavior and social withdrawal. This engaging
conference is for speech-language pathologists, parents, teachers,
professors, counselors, psychologists, school psychologists, anyone
who thirsts for knowledge and who desires to improve their service
delivery for children with difficulties with social communication.
Participants will receive practical, hands-on strategies to help manage
the behaviors that interfere with their children paying attention and
performing activities to facilitate learning and relationship
development. More experienced participants will receive a refreshing
reframing of the problems encountered in meeting treatment goals
every day. Information will be given to conference participants in a
variety of ways, including educational and entertaining activities, as
well as videos and extraordinary case studies that illustrate common
problems with a new perspective and solutions that work.
This course is offered for 1.0 ASHA CEUs
(Introductory level, Professional area).
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
As a result of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Define social thinking.
2. List the basic behavioral skills that make a good communicator.
3. State why treating the thought process in an experiential learning
environment is necessary for children with social communication
and thinking deficits.
4. Develop a vocabulary that enables talking and teaching “the
hidden rules” of social interaction.
5. Employ strategies and games that can be directly implemented in
the clinic and naturalistic settings.
6. Gain a unique understanding of how children with social thinking
deficits learn perspective taking and help to develop effective
treatment goals.
PRESENTER
Texas State University-San Marcos, founded in 1899, is a member
of the Texas State University System
Brad Mason has worked in public schools for 12 years as a Special
Education Counselor and Licensed Specialist in School Psychology.
Prior to that he worked in a brain injury hospital with both adults and
children as a Behavior Therapist. Mr. Mason has been in private
practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor for six years and
operates the Autism Clinic and Family Counseling Center in downtown
Georgetown. He specializes in treating children with social skills
deficits and emotional regulation problems. Mr. Mason has completed
a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and English, a Master’s Degree in
Education for School Psychology, post-graduate education at St.
Edward’s University, as well as ongoing education in treating Autism
Spectrum Disorders, Family Dynamics, Career Counseling and
Advanced Counseling Techniques. Mr. Mason has conducted and
published research, in conjunction with various authors, in the fields of
aggression, gender role stereotypes, and children’s television. Mr.
Mason has presented his work for the Southwest Conference on Human
Development, and offers presentations and staff development to school
districts and various agencies.
FRIDAY, September 25, 2009
6:00-6:30 p.m.
Registration & Light Meal
6:30-8:00
What is “inner language”?
What is its role in self-regulation, social
communication, and perspective taking?
8:00-8:15
Break
8:15-9:45
What is communication? A lot more than
words or language
SATURDAY, September 26, 2009
8:00-10:15 a.m. Social Thinking: What is it, why do we
need it, and where is this need coming
from?
Identifying children who may benefit from
social thinking treatment
10:15-10:30
Break
10:30-12:00
Planning treatment goals and curriculum
Behavior management: Group dynamics
12:00-1:15
Lunch (not provided)
1:15-2:30
Ages 2-5: Teaching social communication
skills through play
2:30-2:45
Break
2:45-4:15
Ages 5-9: Organized play: Social problem
solving and cognitive flexibility training
Ages 10-17: Advanced interaction and
hidden rules
4:15-4:45
This program has been approved for 10 clock hours of
continuing education credit by TSHA. TSHA approval does
not imply endorsement of course content, specific products,
or clinical procedure. A participant must attend the entire
program to qualify for CEUs (10 hours), which may be
credited toward renewal of state licensure. Partial credit may
be obtained for attending portions of the workshop, but there
is no reduction of the stated fee.
Students attending the conference must have the signature of
their training program director on the registration form to
qualify for the student fee.
Cancellations made less than 3 working days prior to the
conference are subject to a $25.00 cancellation fee.
CONFERENCE LOCATION
The Alkek Library is on the main campus of Texas State
University-San Marcos. It can be reached by taking Exit 206
(Aquarena Springs Dr.) west off of IH-35. Drive past the
entrance to Aquarena Springs where the street becomes
University Dr. Stay on University Dr. until you pass the
river. Turn right at the light onto Sessoms St. and follow it
around to Comanche St. Turn left on Comanche and drive
approximately one block and a half to the parking garage
entrance. The Teaching Theatre is on the right side of the
Library Building.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations may be obtained in any local motel or bed
and breakfast. Housing options can be obtained by contacting
the Chamber of Commerce at 512-393-5900 or visiting their
website at www.sanmarcostexas.com. The Tourist and Visitor
Information Office can be contacted regarding housing at
512-393-5930 or at www.toursanmarcos.com.
If you need special accommodations, please notify the
department at 512-245-2330 or www.health.txstate.edu/cdis
five working days prior to the conference.
Discussion and wrap-up
The Department of Communication Disorders at Texas State
University-San Marcos is approved by the Continuing
Education Board of ASHA to provide continuing education
activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This
program is offered for 1.0 CEUs (Introductory level;
Professional area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not
imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or
clinical procedures.
SPECIAL NOTATIONS
You will receive an email confirmation of your registration.
A hard copy of your receipt will be mailed to your address
provided on the registration form if you pay by check through
the mail or pay cash or check onsite.
A copy of the seminar brochure and directions to the
conference can also be found on the department’s website at
www.health.txstate.edu/cdis.
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Teaching Theatre, Alkek Library
REGISTRATION FORM
Autism: A social thinking conference
Name _____________________________
Address______________________________
City______________________________
State_____________ Zip ____________
E-mail Address _______________________
(REQUIRED)
Phone (
) _______________________
For Full-time Students Only:
_____________________________________
Signature of Department Chair or Director
Registration Fees:
Professional Fee:
$160.00 _________
Parent Fee:
$60.00 _________
Student Fee:
$30.00 _________
After September 4th & On-site Registration
Fee: An additional $25 fee will be added.
To register online go to and follow the links:
http://www.health.txstate.edu/cdis/
Make checks payable to:
Communication Disorders Foundation
Mail check and registration form to:
Irene Talamantes (it01@txstate.edu)
Department of Communication Disorders
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas 78666-4616