Training for Professionals

During the last decade, some of our best professional staff have become Watson consultants. Their experience coupled with their continuing work in classrooms and community settings enables them to enhance the skills of others who work with children with educational and behavioral needs. In order to best meet a school district's needs, Watson employs consultants with preschool, primary and secondary age level experience.

At The Watson Institute, each approach to training is unique, just as the needs of each individual are different. The Watson team of skilled educational consultants can provide a variety of training opportunities. Their experience and ongoing work in classroom settings enable them to enhance the skills of others who work with children who have intense educational and medical needs.

In-service training and workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of schools and agencies. The Watson Institute can provide ongoing consultation, occasional training or new program development.

If there is a subject not mentioned on this site that would assist you and your school or agency, please let us know. Our educational consultants can work with you to match your needs.

Training and workshops for MH/MR and wraparound service providers are also available. For more information, call 412-749-2860 or e-mail marilynh@thewatsoninstitute.org.

Distance Learning Program

Training and Consultation Services

TEACCH

Watson Institute Behavior Support for Youth

Watson Professionals Share Expertise at Conferences/Seminars

A strategic initiative of The Watson Institute is to reach out to other professionals in the field of special education and share our expertise.  Accordingly, Watson employees have presented workshops at conferences all over the United States and Ireland.  Here are some of the presentations they've made over the last year:

Elaine Wilson, Overview of Autism, Guest Lecture at University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, May 2010.

Elaine Wilson, Living, Learning and Working with Autism Spectrum Disorders at Working Order in Sharpsburg, PA, July 2010.

Elaine Wilson, Autism:  Being a Part of the Solution to the Puzzle, at memorial Park Church, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2010.

Sally Rae and Katie Bunn, MOVE Basic Provider Training, at PA Intermediate Unit in Dunmore, PA, August 2010.

Deanna Chahoy and Eric Bieniek, Effectiveness of Video Modeling on Vocational Skill Development for High School Students Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, at the PA Council of Exceptional Children 51st Annual Conference in State College, PA, November 2010.

Carleen Carney, Marcia Laus and Robert Pulcini, Watson Institute School-based Cyber Academy (WISCA):  A New Alternative, at the PA Council of Exceptional Children 51st Annual Conference in State College, PA, November 2010

Joseph McAllister, Lori Zychowski, Nicole Jarock, J. Schutte & Michael McHue, Efficacy of a College Acclimation Program for High-Functioning Students Diagnosed ont he Autism Spectrum, at the Autism 2010 Geneva Centre for Autism International Symposium in Toronto, Canada, November 2010.

Joseph McAllister, Considering Needs and Service Options for Students with Autism as they Transition to Post-Secondary Education, at the European Autism Action Conference in Dublin, Ireland, November 2010.

Eric Bienek, The Effectiveness of Video Modeling on Vocational Skill Development for High School Students Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) 5th Annual Autism Conference in Washington, DC, January 2011.

Joseph McAllister, Increasing Social Skills in Children with ASD in an Inclusive Summer Intervention Program at The University of Birmingham, England, February 2011.

Mary Jo Alimena-Caruso, Respite Resources for Early Intervention at the Local Interagency Coordination Council, Pittsburgh, PA, February 2011.

Jennifer Walkowiak, ADHD Inattentive Symptoms in Pediatric Epilepsy, at the International Neuropsychological Society Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, February 2011.

Mary Jo Alimena-Caruso, Defining Pennsylvania's Mission and Vision with Statewide Lifespan Respite Care, a panel discussion at the PA Lifespan Respite Advisory Council Statewide Kick Off, March 2011

Joseph McAllister, Watson Inclusive Summer Program (WISP):  Increasing Social Skills in Children with Autism at the Slippery Rock University Autism Awareness Conference, April 2011.

Katie Patterson and Sharon Smith, Structured Teaching, at the Slippery Rock University Autism Awareness Conference, April 2011.

Marcia Laus, Leslie Rymer and Lauren Schmitt, The Watson Institute School-based Cyber Academy (WISCA) - A New Alternative at the Slippery Rock University Autism Awareness Conference, April 2011.

Mary Jo Alimena-Caruso, Top 10 Questions Families Ask About Disability Related Supports, a panel discussion at the Fifth Annual Inclusive Education Conference sponsored by the PEAL Center, Pittsburgh, PA  May 2011.