University Communications and Marketing

June 23, 2015

Contacts:

Cheryl Young-Pelton,Department of Educational Theory and Practice, 657-2195
Carmen Price, University Relations & Communications, 657-2266

The two-day conference will be held June 24-25 at the Holiday Inn Grand from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is free and open to the public.

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — One in 68 children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

Leaders in ASD treatment will discuss the Verbal Behavior Approach and the latest developments related to autism treatment at the 8th Annual Autism Conference, a two-day convention designed to help parents and professionals better understand the inner minds of individuals with social learning challenges.

Hosted by Montana State University Billings Extended Campus and sponsored by Region III Comprehensive System of Personal Development in conjunction with the College of Education’s Montana Center for Inclusive Education, “The Verbal Behavior Approach” will be held June 24-25 at the Holiday Inn Grand, 500 Midland Rd. Registration is free and open to the public.

Speaker Mary Lynch Barbera, Ph.D, will offer a unique perspective on Wednesday as a parent of a child with autism, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and author of “The Verbal Behavior Approach.”

Since her son’s diagnosis one day before his third birthday, Barbera has focused her attention and research on autism and related disorders. Her topic, “What the Verbal Behavior Approach means to families, schools, and communities” will highlight several strategies that can be used immediately to begin to assess and teach children with autism.

Speaker Mark Sundberg, Ph.D. will discuss on Thursday the “Language Assessment and Intervention for Children with Autism: How to Implement the Verbal Behavior Approach.”

Sunderg is the author of the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program, co-author of the original Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills assessment tool and also authored the book, “Teaching Language to Children with Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities.” Sundberg has also published more than 50 professional papers and four book chapters.

MSUB Extended Campus is offering educational credits for attending the conference.

PHOTOS ABOVE: Mary Lynch Barbera and Mark Sundberg, notable experts on autism and verbal behavior interventions for children with autism, will be featured speakers in Billings Wednesday & Thursday.