Understanding Autism – The Student’s POV

This training is being offered twice – the same content is provided at each session. Please choose one to register for.

register Session A: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

REGISTER SESSION B: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM 

Location: Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery
Continuing Education Units: Pending
Please Register By: October 17

Who should attend:  Behavioral Health Clinicians working with children with autism.

Description: A diagnosis written in a book doesn’t portray the child’s full picture such as their strengths, achievements, personality, and challenges. There are other considerations for medical professionals to consider and gather information to make the most informed decisions. This workshop will deep dive into the symptoms of autism beyond the diagnostic evaluation. When making a therapeutic decision, it is important to consider the child’s level of communication, receptive understanding, and history. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss challenges and learn strategies to prioritize behaviors based on intensity and protocols to consider.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to list 4 symptoms of autism and define.
2. Attendees will be able to differentiate between disruptive behaviors, unsafe behaviors, and dangerous behaviors.
3. Attendees will be able to identify levels of escalation and de-escalation

Presenter Info: 
Kim Phan Wolff, BCBA,COBA
As a daughter to Vietnamese immigrants, 2^nd generation American, eldest of the generation, Kim P. Wolff has achieved the American dream professionally and personally. Her collegiate degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, both from Simmons University in Boston, MA. She founded Wolff Behavior Services (WBS) in Haleiwa, HI in 2015 consulting to adopted, fostered, and military children across a variety of diagnosis. Since moving to Ohio in 2018, she consults to non-profits and for-profit businesses in healthcare to assist with driving a structurally sound and sustainable business while maintaining quality care. Wolff-PAC was established in 2021 that encompasses over a decade of leadership & experience practicing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with the hopes and dreams of providing quality services to the families and children touched by autism. Her practice also accepts the Autism Scholarship to address educational needs. She also specializes in medical desensitization, specifically dental care. Kim believes everyone should be able to access basic medical care in the absence of intrusive methods such as sedation when unnecessary. She has been conducting medical tolerance since 2013 including dental, EKG, EEG, and other medical procedures.

Her experience ranges from two years young to geriatric age across many different diagnoses such as autism, developmental disabilities, bipolar, ADHD/ADD, ODD, OCD and more. She has consulted in over a dozen states in the U.S. and in Canada. Between 2020-2022, Kim was a guest lecturer for dental students at Meharry Medical College in Tennessee, recorded a lecture for international students in the Philippines, an invited speaker at the Autism Law Summit 2022, Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis, and New Hampshire Association for Behavior Analysis. She was also a selected speaker for the Ohio Association for Behavior Analysis in 2023. Locally, she has consulted to Medina County Schools and provided training for Seville and Lafayette Safey Responders. Her passion is to use her skills to lift others up, to be a voice, and to inspire.

Kim currently serves on the board of the Ohio Association for Behavior Analysis. Previously, she was President of the Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis in 2017. She is also a graduate of Leadership Medina County in 2021. She was recently selected and is actively participating in Leadership Akron as Class of 2024.