Parent Workshop: Promoting Desirable Behavior in the Classroom

This presentation is geared towards both teachers and caregivers who are looking for strategies on how to set up the classroom for success for learners with individualized needs. The presenters will discuss several different antecedent strategies to promote desired behavior in the classroom ranging from increasing communication to reducing frustration. Families may also find this workshop beneficial to better understand what strategies to advocate for during meeting with their child’s teachers.

Jessica Gruber has been with The Place for Children with Autism since 2017 when the company first opened its doors. Jessica has been working with autistic individuals for 15 years with a focus on Applied Behavior Analytic services for the past 13 years. As Chief Clinical Officer at The Place, Jessica oversees all aspects of the Clinical Department including the design and implementation of clinical treatment and training for all clinicians. Along with her team, Jessica is dedicated to ensuring quality and compassionate services are provided to all clients at The Place. Jessica has a passion for staff training and development and is currently finishing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a focus on instructional design and training. Jessica is an active member of the Autism community and currently serves on the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence’s Disciplinary Review Committee.

Olivia completed her bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from Western Michigan University in 2014 and later graduated with her master’s degree from Florida State University in 2016 where, shortly after, she became a BCBA. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Management at The Place for Children with Autism in Chicago, Illinois, an early intensive behavioral intervention therapy provider spanning across 15 center locations in greater Chicagoland and Central Illinois. Olivia’s professional interests include behavioral systems analysis as a means for improving the quality of ABA service delivery, pay-for-performance & scorecard systems for improving clinician performance, and moderate to severe behavior reduction through the use of Skills Based Treatment. In her free time, Olivia is an avid concert goer and Harry Styles fanatic.