Mark Durand

Speaker Bio:

V. Mark Durand is known worldwide as an authority in the area of autism spectrum disorders. He is a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he was the founding Dean of Arts & Sciences and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Dr. Durand is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and has received over $4 million in federal funding to study the behavior problems in children with disabilities. Previously he served in a variety of leadership positions at the University at Albany, including chair of the psychology department, and interim dean of Arts and Sciences and started the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.-all in psychology-at the State University of New York-Stony Brook.

Dr. Durand was awarded the University Award for Excellence in Teaching at SUNY-Albany in 1991 and in 2007 was given the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Dr. Durand is currently a member of the Professional Advisory Board for the Autism Society of America. He is the co-editor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions and has written 10 books including abnormal psychology textbooks that are used at more than 1,000 universities world-wide. These now classic texts have been reprinted in Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Hindi and Chinese. .

Title:

An Optimistic Approach to Helping Students with Challenging Behaviors

Description:

Challenging behaviors continue to top the list of concerns for families and teachers of persons with ASD. Although we have made impressive gains in helping reduce these problem behaviors, obstacles remain. This talk will cover new insights into these obstacles and how teachers and families can overcome them and effectively help persons with even the most severe behavioral challenges. Evidence-based approaches to replacing behavior problems will be discussed and the presenter will describe how advances in positive psychology can help caregivers and teachers be more effective in their efforts to help those with ASD and how to help themselves lead happier and less stressful lives.

Objectives:

1. Describe the research basis for Optimistic Parenting
2. Describe to families the role of thoughts and beliefs in parenting
3. Identify themes in parental self-talk
4. Help parents identify the consequences of their thoughts and beliefs on their behavior toward their child
5. Use several techniques to increase optimism