Who are we?
Founded in 1975, our agency has grown from one small school into a large network of programs serving a wide range of New Yorkers who face significant challenges. Through a wide range of educational services, residential and family support programs, we enable these adults and children to achieve their full potential — while also transforming their lives.
How do we reach our goals?
We continually search for winning solutions for life’s complex challenges. Thanks to the skills, commitment and hard work of our staff and volunteers, we inspire hope and touch lives.
Family Support Services Resources Donate Contact Us

Training and Workshops

1. Introduction to TEACCH - Structured Teaching - Part I

Approved Continuing Education Provider: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Two-Day Core Training (Up to 30 Trainees at your site) *Please note that the location of your site must be within New York City's 5 Boroughs and Long Island

2. Introduction to TEACCH - Structured Teaching - Part I

Approved Continuing Education Provider: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Two-Day Core Training (per trainee)

3. Introduction to TEACCH - Structured Teaching - Part II

Approved Continuing Education Provider: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Hands-On Core Training (per trainee)

NOTE: Birch Training Institute and Bank Street College of Education have partnered to provide 2 Master's Level Bank Street credits for students participating in Intro to TEACCH parts I and II. (Additional credit fee of $600 applies, and a final paper is required.)

4. Full Day Training

Approved Continuing Education Provider: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Advanced Workstations
  • From Problems to Passions: Utilizing Strengths and Interests to Motivate Students with ASD
  • Linking Spoken Language to Written Words: Shared Reading
  • Integrating Technology in a Structured Teaching Environment (various topics)
  • Making Groups Meaningful: Utilizing Structured Teaching Principles in Group Activities
  • A Step in the Right Direction: Setting up Vocational Training Opportunities in an Educational Environment

 

5. Two and Three-Hour Training:

(ask about combining workshops to create a full day of training)

  • Autism 101
  • Toilet Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Food Glorious Food: Working Through the Challenges of Food and Eating For Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Opening the Doors of Communication between Classroom & Related Service Staff
  • Work Walls and Environmental Print: Creating a Print Rich Environment that Increases Vocabulary Development
  • "Fun with Phonics"

 

6. Classroom Consultation Services includes all of the following:

  • Site Visit
  • Detailed written report including recommendations
  • Debriefing meeting with key staff on the day of site visit

 

7. Professional Development Assessment: Introduction to TEACCH - Part I: Structured Teaching

Let us asses and address your staff development needs:

  • Classroom observation
  • Staff survey
  • Exit meeting
  • Recommendations for specific staff development
    • Consultation
    • Workshops
    • Hands-On Training

 

Introduction to TEACCH - Structured Teaching - Part I

Length: 2 Consecutive Days (attendance at both days is mandatory)
Description: Workshop provides an introduction to the characteristics of autism, diagnosis, culture of autism, and its classroom implications; a TEACCH overview, as well as information on the structured teaching component of TEACCH (physical structure, daily schedules, one-to-one instruction, and workstations). Sessions include the use of videotape, a slide show, a "make and take" and Q&A Session.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Introduction to TEACCH - Part II: Hands-On Core TrainingIntroduction to TEACCH - Hands-On Core - Part II

Length: Full day
Description: Training provides an opportunity to practice the skills that were acquired in the Two-Day Core Training. This is a "hands-on" day where participants will be able to participate in all of the daily structure and routines that occur in a TEACCH classroom. There is time allotted for questions and discussion at conclusion of day. Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend upon completion of Two-Day Core Training.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Additional Full Day Training

Advanced Workstations

Length: Full Day
Description: Workshop provides participants with strategies to enhance the use of workstations. Topics include the physical structure of a workstation, embedded schedules, visual structure, visual clarity, visual instruction, and advanced task design. Participants are also asked to bring existing tasks to evaluate and redesign.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

From Problems to Passions: Utilizing Strengths and Interests to Motivate Students with ASD

Length: Full day
Description: Workshop provides participants with techniques for utilizing interests that are often viewed as problematic or distracting in productive and meaningful ways. Attention will be paid to educational, home and work settings.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Linking Spoken Language to Written Words: Shared Reading

Length: Full day
Description: Workshop provides an introduction to strategies and specific skills needed to conduct a shared reading lesson. How it can relate to other curriculum areas and the development of literacy based activities. Session will include the use of a "make and take" and Q&A Session.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Integrating Technology in a TEACCH Environment

Length: Full day
Boardmaker
Advanced Boardmaker
Intellipics
Photoshop
Description: Workshop(s) will train participants in the use of various software programs to create visual materials for individual students and the classroom environment.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Making Groups Meaningful: Utilizing Structured Teaching Principles in Group Activities

Length: Full day
Description: Workshop will provide participants with numerous strategies for increasing meaning for children with ASD as they participate in group instruction. Video will be used throughout to high light successful group lessons in a pre school and school age settings.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

A Step in the Right Direction: Setting up Vocational Training Opportunities in an Educational Environment

Length: Full day
Description: Workshop will provide participants with strategies to teach vocational skills in a school setting. Techniques for applying the skills throughout the curriculum and generalizing into the community will be addressed.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Additional Two-Hour Training

Autism 101

Length: Two hours
Description: Workshop provides participants with a general overview of autism, including diagnosis, educational implications, characteristics and the culture of autism.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Overview of TEACCH

Length: Two hours
Description: Workshop provides the participants with a basic understanding of the Culture of Autism and its implications in the classroom. A general overview of the four basic components of structured teaching is provided. These include: physical environment, individual schedules, one to one instruction and independent workstations.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Toilet Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Length: Two hours
Description: workshop will provide participants with a thorough understanding of the challenges associated with toilet training a child with ASD as well as practical strategies and tips to accommodate these challenges.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Food Glorious Food: Working Through the Challenges of Food and Eating For Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Length: 2 hours
Description: Workshop will provide participants with the tools needed to identify, understand, and accommodate the often unusual or limited involvement children with ASD have with food and eating. Suggestions for change will be based on the principles of structured teaching.  Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

Consultation

TEACCH Classroom Consultation

Length: Varies
Description: Consultation includes classroom observation and feedback on the components of structured teaching. Time is provided for a meeting at a mutually-agreed upon point in the day. A written report is provided within one week of the visit.
Pre-requisites: Completion of Two-Day Core Training; Completion of Day Three Hands-On Training required.
Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Staff, Counselors, Administrators and Supervisors are all strongly recommended to attend.

For more detailed information regarding each training and or/to register, please contact Tanya Santiago at (212) 616-1858 or tanya.santiago@birchfamilyservices.org