Birch Family Services’ mission is empowering individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. To help fulfill that mission, Birch Family Services provides a robust training program for staff, parents, families and community members who wish to obtain specialized strategies to engage children, adolescents, and adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
We offer training on a variety of topics including autism and developmental disabilities, communication, behavior management, applied behavior analysis, increasing self-help skills, child & adolescent development, and community integration. In addition, we offer a monthly Family Support Group open to all. This forum allows for the exploration of different topics, a place to share success stories and voice concerns.
Register for Upcoming Free Parent and Family Training Sessions Below!
2025
- Understanding Developmental Disabilities – March 5 – 11:00 am
Learn to recognize old ways of thinking and challenge common stereotypes. Gain understanding about the lives of people with disabilities from the Americans with Disabilities Act to present. - Understanding Behavior – March 14th – 10:00 am
This session will focus more on the how and why of behavior than what it looks like. At the core of understanding behavior is knowing the function. This workshop will review the functions of behavior, data collection and intervention strategies that can be used every day. - Communication at Home & In the Community – March 17th – 10:00 am
Learn strategies for families to incorporate speech and language activities into everyday routines and interactions at home, fostering language development in naturalistic settings. This workshop will empower parents, caregivers, and professionals to better support children in reaching their communication goals. - Toilet Training – April 4th – 10:00 am
Attendees will gain practical strategies on how to guide their child through the toilet training process. Discuss how to assess readiness, establish a routine, provide structure and predictability, use reinforcement to motivate using the toilet, model and demonstrate appropriate toilet training behaviors, accommodate sensory needs, and address anxiety and fear your child may have. - Autism Overview – April 11th – 10:00 am
This presentation covers some of the statistics and facts surrounding Autism. Myths about ASD are dispelled. The diagnosis and its practical meaning are reviewed. Some of the more common treatment modalities are also reviewed. The goal of this training is to provide families with a clearer understanding of what the diagnosis of ASD means for their child and the family.
All sessions will be held on Zoom.
Meet Our Instructors!
Margaret chiara, senior vp of workforce development
Margaret has over 30 years in the field of disabilities. Over her career she has had the pleasure of supporting individuals, their families and staff. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher and then went on to join a training department where she pursued her BCBA, NYS LBA as well as her education administration certificates. Training is her passion where she has the opportunity to meet new staff, work with parents and families and directly impact the individuals Birch Family Services supports.
lori volpe, phd., autism coordinator
Lori has 40 years experience working with adults and children with ASD and other developmental disabilities in educational, residential and vocational settings. In addition to her position with BTI, Lori has worked for agencies in the New York area developing and opening programs for individuals on the autism spectrum. Lori was trained in TEACCH at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a BA in Psychology from SUNY at Albany, an MA in Developmental Psychology from Yeshiva University, an MA in School Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology both from Hofstra University.