Autism society offers workshop to help solve problems and manage conflicts

St. Paul, Minn. (Sept. 1, 2021) – The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) will host a virtual workshop on Oct. 1, “More Effective Together: Building Relationships and Trust Through the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model,” focused on the evidence-based model designed to help caregivers and children work together to address challenges, reduce conflict, and increase success.

Based on the premise that conflicts occur when expectations placed on a child exceed their capacity to respond effectively, the emphasis of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model is to identify the expectations the child is having difficulty meeting (unsolved problems) and then help the caregiver and child work together to solve those problems rather than modifying the child’s conflict response.

As many caregivers seek to support their children through conflicts, the CPS model provides a compassionate understanding of challenges as a non-adversarial, effective approach for reducing conflicts, improving communication, and building relationships and trust. This model has been implemented in schools, inpatient units, residential facilities, treatment programs, and juvenile detention facilities.

“Caregivers and teachers know that when a child acts out, they need support. Knowing how to offer effective support can be a challenge,” AuSM Executive Director Ellie Wilson said. “This workshop will provide concrete tools that will allow any two people to better understand each other’s concerns and work through challenging situations together.”

AuSM invites caregivers, teachers, a direct service providers, professionals, and other community members to this virtual one-day workshop during which an expert from Lives in the Balance will share an overview of the CPS model interspersed with hands-on reflection, examples, and discussion. Participants will gain practical assessment and intervention tools that can be implemented across settings. The workshop will be led by Kim Hopkins, an independently licensed clinical social worker who has specialized in working with behaviorally challenging kids for more than 20 years. Hopkins has been a Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Trainer since 2007, helping schools, residences, hospitals, and individual homes successfully implement the CPS Model. She also is the Director of Outreach & Communication for Dr. Ross Greene’s nonprofit, Lives in the Balance. Hands on sessions will be led by Zaidee Martin, the moderator of the international Facebook group The B Team (run by Lives in the Balance), and Sonya Emerick, an autistic adult and parent to two autistic children as well as an AuSM board member.

In addition to the full day workshop, participants will have access to a question and answer session one following the event in order to debrief with the speakers and reflect on and better understand workshop content.

More Effective Together: Building Relationships and Trust Through the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model
Virtual Workshop from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2021

Cost
AuSM Member: $65; Non-Member: $75; Individual with ASD: $35

To learn more and to register, visit the workshop page.