Synapse Training - Behaviour Experts to visit Australia

Tuesday, 8th of March, 2011

Two highly regarded specialists in behaviour management from the California-based Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis (IABA) will be visiting Australia over the next two months.

Dr Gary W. LaVigna and Dr Thomas J. Willis, co-founders of the IABA, will be delivering a 4-day training program called “Positive Practices in Behavioural Support”. Synapse will partner with them for the Brisbane leg of their tour where Dr LaVigna will be presenting the program at the Diana Plaza Hotel.

The program will cover such areas as:
•    Day 1: Nonaversive Behavioural Support & basic principles of Positive Programming
•    Day 2: Comprehensive Functional Assessment & Advanced Support Strategies
•    Day 3: Emergency Management & Reactive Strategies within a positive practices framework
•    Day 4: Assuring Staff Consistency & the Assurance of Quality Services through the Application of organizational Behaviour Management

The IABA recommend this intensive training for early interventionists, nurses, psychologists, behaviour specialists, autism specialists, group home personnel, client support managers or any person who provides educational or support services to individuals with complex and challenging needs.

The IABA program will visit Perth and Bendigo (on 22-25 March), then Adelaide and Sydney (on 29 March – 1 April), and finish in Brisbane and Townsville (on 5-8 April).  Dr LaVigna will present in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and Dr Willis in Bendigo, Sydney and Townsville.

The IABA was established in 1981 to provide behaviour management services, supported employment, supported living and supported educational services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Southern California. They are committed to providing the most advanced and highest possible quality services in support of people with challenging behaviour. They strive to ensure “the highest quality of life possible” for the people they support to enable them to “live regular lives in natural settings with full, positive and valued community presence and participation”.

The IABA quickly became internationally recognized as a source for training and consultation in the areas of positive, person-centred behavioural support, instructional strategies and total quality assurance systems.

In addition to the support services provided in the US, IABA has become an internationally recognized source for training and consultation in the areas of positive, person-centred behavioural support, instructional strategies and total quality assurance systems. Since 1987, professional training programs to advance positive practices in the field of challenging behaviour have been presented to audiences in 8 countries on 3 continents.

To download a complete brochure and register on-line (go to the Training section) click here.

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Media inquries: Anna Petrou on +61 7 3137 7400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .