Autism-Related Workshop May 18 Covers Two Topics: Games and Compliance

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology offers free monthly spring workshops of particular interest to parents, educators and professionals who deal with issues of autism. The next will be on May 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment seminar room.

This workshop is based on the research and thesis material of School of Psychology graduate students. One topic is “Effect of choice of games on social behavior on children with autism” by Tara Loughrey. The other topic is “Effects of response effort on compliance among young children” by Anthony T. Fischetti.

Fischetti’s presentation will review the previous research investigating childhood noncompliance, which affects nearly 80 percent of school-aged children. As a behaviorally-based disorder, noncompliance can be treated many ways. Each way has benefits and drawbacks.

His presentation will review behaviorally-based interventions for childhood noncompliance, discuss the rationale for his thesis and its results, and conclude with a brief discussion of future treatments.

The next workshop, and last for spring 2011, is on June 22. It’s titled, “Science and Nonsense in Autism Treatment: How to Tell if What They’re Selling is What You’re Buying.” Josh Pritchard, BCBA, will present.

The seminar room is located on the second floor of the Scott Center for Autism Treatment at the south end of the Florida Tech campus. Parking is available off Psychology Place, near University Boulevard.

For more information, contact the School of Psychology at

(321) 674-8106 or e-mail the center at thescottcenter@fit.edu.