Autism Urban Connection Inc.
2024 Quarterly Monthly Training
Sessions
These training sessions are held via Zoom, from5-6:30pm EST, Every 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of every month, unless noted.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 5-6:30pm
Managing Big Emotions Together W/Jessie Northrup, PhD:
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About Dr. Jessie Northrup:
She is a Clinical and Developmental Psychologist who has been doing research and clinical work in autism for over 15 years. She is also a mom of a two and four-year old. She is passionate about trying to help families of young children with autism, particularly when it comes to managing big emotions.
Dr. Northrup will share some tips for helping children learn to manage big emotions and for how to handle big emotions when they come up. She feels that she is always learning herself, she is also interested in hearing from parents about what is working for you and what you’re struggling with. Her hope is that this can be a conversation!
Thursday January 18, 2024 5-6:30pm
Time to Ditch Those Diapers W/ Icylee Basketbill:
About Icylee Basketbill:
Icylee L. Basketbill (Facilitator) is a parent of a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including Parent-to-Parent of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Autism Network, and the LADDER Family Center Program at La Salle University. Icylee is currently employed as a Family and Community Liaison with the Philadelphia Autism Project and as the Lead Program Sexual Health Facilitator for Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI) with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). Icylee is a graduate of Harcum College with an Associates of Arts in Human Services and Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
A training series for families raising individuals of all ages and stages
This toilet training workshop will benefit families caring for loved ones with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder, as well as professionals
Thursday, February 15, 2024 5-6:30pm
The Child Dependency System: What You Can Expect W/Jennifer Modell:
About Jennifer Modell:
Jennifer Modell is the Executive Director of Locally Served, a new organization that provides holistic representation to individuals and families with disabilities who are at risk of or who are already involved in the criminal or dependency system. Jennifer is an attorney with over 20 years working with individuals with disabilities in a variety of legal areas.
The presentation will cover the various stages of a dependency proceeding and how parents can advocate for themselves to achieve the best outcomes. Ms. Modell will also discuss the intersection between disability and dependency and the services provided by Locally Served.
Tuesday February 20, 2024 5-6:30pm
Early Intervention Services W/May Chriseline:
About May Chriseline:
May is the Director of Diversity and Training at Brett DiNovi & Associates. She is the chair for the New Jersey Association of Behavior Analysis Diversity & Inclusion workgroup. She has worked with children and adults with various cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities in a variety of settings. She has completed program evaluations; developed skill acquisition programs to teach academic areas, cognitive functioning, social skills, language and communication, and adaptive skills; provided parent training; conducted functional behavior assessments (FBA); developed Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and provided staff training to various levels of professionals.
The workshop will review developmental milestone, the early intervention process including available, what to expect during the process, and the transition from early intervention. The workshop will also provide resources to support families.
Tuesday March 19, 2024 TBA 5-6:30pm
Crisis Supports and Suicide Prevention for Autistic People
W/Lisa Morgan:
About Lisa Morgan: Lisa Morgan is a trauma-informed consultant specializing in crisis supports and suicide prevention for autistic people. Lisa is founder and co-chair of the Autism and Suicide Prevention Workgroup and has led the development of several autism specific resources for communicating and supporting autistic people in crisis. A self-advocate with a passion for strengths-based solutions, Lisa has authored several books, articles, and resources. She is a community council member of AASET (Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engaged Together). Lisa has a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching, is a Certified Autism Specialist, a research consultant, and owner of Lisa Morgan Consulting LLC. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree.
Research has shown suicide to be a leading cause of death for autistic people. This presentation will cover the warning signs, unique risk factors, statistics of suicide, and how to be culturally aware in working with autistic people. Autistic people think, communicate, and experience the world differently than non-autistic people. The presentation will describe five autism-specific resources to use in supporting autistic people around suicide prevention and crisis support.
Thursday March 21, 2024 5-6:30pm
Let’s Talk Real Talk ASD Edition
W/Icylee Basketbill:
About Icylee Basketbill: Icylee L. Basketbill (Facilitator) is a parent of a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including Parent-to-Parent of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Autism Network, and the LADDER Family Center Program at La Salle University. Icylee is currently employed as a Family and Community Liaison with the Philadelphia Autism Project and as the Lead Program Sexual Health Facilitator for Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI) with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). Icylee is a graduate of Harcum College with an Associates of Arts in Human Services and Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
This is a 2 part session that covers core values, beliefs and decision making around puberty and sexuality for adults supporting and how to talk to loved ones with ASD.
Thursday May 16, 2024 5-6:30pm
I.E.P. 101: What to Expect w/Jeff Ruder Esq. :
What parents need to know about the IEP process, including how to identify a student's needs, who gets an IEP, and how to resolve problems surrounding the IEP process.
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About Jeff Ruder:
Jeff Ruder is the founder and principal of Ruder Law. Since 2006, Jeff has focused his practice on advocating for the rights of disabled children in public schools. Jeff is also a frequent speaker to professional and parent groups regarding the rights of students with disabilities.
Thursday May 21, 2024 5-6:30pm
Self-Care: Let's Get Down to the Basics w/Jamie Upshaw, MS., MA.: Parti
cipants will:
Be provided with a brief history and overview of self-care research
Describe domains of self-care and behaviors specific to various domains of care
Identify concerns regarding self-care deficits as they relate to specific domains of self-care
Complete Self-Care Checklist as written
Create self-care goals based on results of self-care checklist
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About Jamie Upshaw, MS., MA:
Jamie Upshaw, MS, MA, is the Founder/Executive Director of Autism Urban Connections Inc. (AUC Inc.), the first and only African American and minority family focused Autism 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization in the Commonwealth of PA. Ms. Upshaw has nearly 20 years of combined experience in the Criminal Justice and Special Education fields. Jamie and AUC Inc. have a mission to provide education, support, advocacy and empowerment to families. She works to ensure that all families receive the individualized supports and education to access valuable resources and services that enhance the quality of life, and break down barriers, while addressing the disparities in our most marginalized communities.
Tuesday June 18, 2024 5-6:30pm
Time to Ditch Those Diapers W/ Icylee Basketbill:
​
A training series for families raising individuals of all ages and stages
This toilet training workshop will benefit families caring for loved ones with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder, as well as professionals
​
About Icylee Basketbill:
L. Basketbill (Facilitator) is a parent of a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including Parent-to-Parent of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Autism Network, and the LADDER Family Center Program at La Salle University. Icylee is currently employed as a Family and Community Liaison with the Philadelphia Autism Project and as the Lead Program Sexual Health Facilitator for Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI) with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). Icylee is a graduate of Harcum College with an Associates of Arts in Human Services and Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Thursday June 20, 2024 5-6:30pm
Let's Talk Real Talk ASD Edition (Puberty & Sexuality) w/Icylee Basketbill:
​
This is a 2 part session that covers core values, beliefs and decision making around puberty and sexuality for adults supporting and how to talk to loved ones with ASD.
About Icylee Basketbill:
L. Basketbill (Facilitator) is a parent of a daughter diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including Parent-to-Parent of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Autism Network, and the LADDER Family Center Program at La Salle University. Icylee is currently employed as a Family and Community Liaison with the Philadelphia Autism Project and as the Lead Program Sexual Health Facilitator for Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI) with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). Icylee is a graduate of Harcum College with an Associates of Arts in Human Services and Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Welcome back families, we hope everyone is ready for this new year filled with new things and experiences. Be sure to join us for our first in person Family Group of the year on Thursday February 8, 2024 from 4:30-6:30pm at the
University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center
(CEC, 1908 Wylie Avenue Pittsburgh Pa, 15219).
Family Groups are held every second Thursday of every month.