Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a scientific approach to understanding problem behavior through the multiple lenses of person-centeredness, applied behavior analysis, biomedical intervention, and systems change.  Providing PBS for individuals with ASD at work presents challenges related to many factors, such as a limited number of paid support staff and lower tolerance for the time and resources needed for implementation.  While the provision of PBS in a workplace presents some challenges, the opportunities to increase the success of individuals with ASD at work outweigh those challenges.  This webcast presents a review of the PBS practices that assist individuals with ASD to become independent at work.  Dr. Schall will discuss implementation considerations for use in the workplace and review future research recommendations.  Finally, this webcast will include the presentation of case studies exemplifying the provision of PBS in a work setting.

Dr. Schall has been learning from and supporting individuals with autism since the early 1980’s.  She is involved in supporting individuals across Virginia through her work as the director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is well versed in completing functional behavior assessments and using positive behavior supports to develop comprehensive plans for individuals from a person-centered approach.  She is a state trainer for the Positive Behavior Support project with the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Schall is also the principal investigator for the VCU ASD Career Links Project.  Her research interests include the monitoring of psychotropic medication for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, transition from school to work and adulthood, and training for parents and professionals on serving individuals with developmental disabilities.  Dr. Schall is listed in the 2005 and 2006 editions of Who’s Who in America and has been honored by TASH with their Positive Approaches Award.  Finally, she is the lead author of the Youth with Autism Chapter in the 4th edition of Dr. Paul Wehman’s popular book Life Beyond the Classroom and editor and author of Autism and the Transition to Adulthood: Success Beyond the Classroom available through Paul H. Brookes Publishers.