NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND
Speaker
Karen Bearss, Ph.D.
Vice President, Caregiver Mediated Solutions at Catalight
About Karen Bearss, Ph.D.
Dr. Karen Bearss is a recognized leader in the field of caregiver-mediated interventions, specializing in the development and implementation of evidence-based parenting programs for autistic youth with co-occurring challenging behaviors. As Vice President of Caregiver Mediated Solutions at Catalight, she focuses on expanding accessible, equitable, and personalized interventions to diverse clinical populations. Dr. Bearss is also an Affiliate Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington, where she provides mentorship for the next generation of clinicians and researchers focused on improving care for autistic youth and their families.
Throughout her career, Dr. Bearss has offered critical insights into the future of the field and is a strong advocate for the integration of evidence-based treatments into clinical care.
Dr. Bearss earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida. She was a key contributor to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) collaborative study on the RUBI Parent Training program, authoring the seminal paper published in JAMA and the RUBI Parent Training Manual in the Oxford University Press Programs that Work series. Her current research focuses on expanding the reach of the RUBI program through novel modalities and contexts to ensure that families receive tailored support.
Presentation
The RUBI Parent Training Program for Autistic Youth with Challenging Behaviors: Introductory Workshop
ON DEMAND | 180 MINUTES
This workshop is designed to provide the learner with an overview of the RUBI Parent Training program, including core session content, appropriate clinical populations, and implementation approaches that follow neurodiversity-affirming practices and are responsive to common treatment barriers.
Program Details
Continuing Education
IACET: .3
SLP: 3
APA: 3
PDU: 3
BACB: 3
CAMFT: 3
Learning Objectives
Objective 1:
List three reasons why parent training is an important intervention approach for autistic youth with co-occurring challenging behaviors.
Objective 2:
Identify five core strategies that are included in the RUBI Program.
Objective 3:
Specify three clinical considerations that inform whether RUBI is appropriate for a specific child or family.
Objective 4:
Explain responsive solutions to three common barriers to RUBI treatment.
Presentation
Strategies to Promote Healthy Screen Habits in Autistic Youth
ON DEMAND | 60 MINUTES
Many autistic youth have a strong preference for engaging in screen-based activities, whether viewing shows and movies, using interactive games on tablets, or playing multiplayer video games. There are many positive aspects of this screen use, including opportunities to participate in learning activities, view language models, and engage in virtual peer interactions. However, caregivers also report challenges around their child’s screen overuse, including high rates of usage and difficulties with transitions off of screens, particularly during times when the child may instead be expected to engage in daily living skills. Caregivers also report uncertainty on how to establish boundaries around screens in the home. This presentation will provide an overview of screen use in autistic youth, including benefits and challenges, as well as common contributors to conflict around screen use. Strategies will then be discussed that are designed to reduce conflict as well as promote healthy screen habits.
Program Details
Continuing Education
IACET – 0.1
APA – 1
BACB – 1
CAMFT – 1
SLP – 1
PDU – 1
Learning Objectives
Objective 1:
List three challenges caregivers experience in relation to their child’s screen use.
Objective 2:
Describe three strategies that could be implemented to address challenges around screen access and use.
Elevate Your Impact is Catalight’s annual virtual conference, dedicated to advancing person-centered care for individuals with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DDs). Offering continuing education to those who qualify, the conference features a dynamic mix of live sessions and on-demand content, providing a flexible learning experience. Elevate Your Impact is an opportunity to connect with thought leaders, gain insights and optimize care outcomes in behavioral health.