Register Now For Our Behavior Interventionist Workshop, June 21st and 22nd, 2025
Thursday, August 28th, 2025 · 8:30am - 4:30pm PDT
A Conference for Educators of Autistic and other
related Neurodivergent Learners
Join us either IN PERSON or ONLINE for a professional development event for
Teachers, Administrators and Education Assistants.
Located at the incredible
Pacific Autism Family Network facility
3688 Cessna Drive, Richmond BC
Keynote address by Kavita Kamat, MSW, M.Ed., BCBA
Kavita Kamat is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and the Clinical Director of posAbilities - Laurel Behaviour Support Services (LBSS), a non-profit organization in BC (www.laurelbc.ca) LBSS provides behaviour support to over 300 children and approximately 250 adults across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and the Okanagan region in British Columbia. Prior to joining Laurel, Kavita worked as a preschool teacher in an integrated state-run program in Atlanta, Georgia USA, where her primary focus was to create an inclusive learning environment. Kavita holds an MA in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Bombay, and an M.Ed. from the University of British Columbia. She joined LBSS in 2004 as a behaviour consultant and, in 2014, became the Clinical Director of the program, providing clinical and operational oversight for all Laurel programs across multiple regions.
With extensive experience across diverse roles and settings, she brings a deep understanding and expertise to her work. Kavita is passionate about the dissemination of science and bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). She has developed and delivered several workshops and trainings on ABA-related topics to school and community audiences. She is also an active member of the Indo-Canadian Autism Network (https://www.ican-autism.org). Through this network, she works to advance knowledge and practice by collaborating with agencies and the medical community in India. She has presented at their annual conferences and continues to deliver virtual sessions. Her career has been defined by a dedication to working in the non-profit sector to deliver effective, inclusive, and culturally responsive services.
Presented By:
Kavita Kamat
MSW, M.Ed., BCBA
What You Will Learn: Transition to adulthood is a significant milestone that demands deliberate preparation, especially for individuals with diverse and complex needs. Intervening early to build these skills is critical for fostering independence, self-advocacy, and meaningful integration into the community.
Behaviour Analysts can play a vital role in supporting this process by collaborating with families and developing individualized, evidence-based strategies that address a wide range of developmental, social, and functional needs.
This presentation will use case examples to demonstrate the importance of prioritizing these key skills while also addressing the potential risks of neglecting them. Attendees will gain practical insights to enhance transition outcomes and how they can contribute to Good and Full Lives for Everyone.
Thursday, August 28 · 8:30am - 4:30pm PDT
In this session, presenters Mary Penrice-Edmondson and Valerie Goodman will introduce the ACT Matrix and Pro-Social Matrix as
valuable tools for behavior support in educational settings, with an emphasis on fostering inclusivity and collaboration. Evolved from Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), the ACT Matrix is a visual process that enhances psychological flexibility by exploring the relationship between behavior and the environment from an observer’s perspective. This process not only promotes behavior change but also increases internal motivation for meaningful change.
Participants will learn how to apply the ACT Matrix and Pro-Social Matrix to facilitate person-centered and culturally responsive
behavior change, promoting inclusive practices in schools. By focusing on collaboration within the educational community, this approach helps bridge the gap between students, families, and educators to create supportive, inclusive environments for all learners.
Learning Objectives:
Gain an overview of the ACT Matrix and Pro-Social Matrix and how to use them to promote behavior change toward a shared,
collaborative goal.
Improve psychological flexibility and increase awareness of the complexities when supporting students and their families in a
school setting.
Learn strategies to further promote inclusivity within educational environments.
Presented By:
Valerie Goodman
M.Ed., BCBA
Richmond School District
Mary Penrice-Edmondson
M.S., BCBA
Richmond School District
Presented By:
Jillian Newman
M.Ed., BCBA
There is an increasing need for practitioners to support youth exhibiting extreme school, demand and social avoidance, and associated unsafe behaviour. This is especially complex when the learner is a teenager, as prioritizing an adolescent’s assent and
autonomy is both a logistical and ethical necessity.
In this session, we will identify the unique challenges of working with teens and explore the nature of avoidance. We will discuss how a behaviour analytic lens is helpful, and why some typical behaviour approaches are often counterproductive.
This session will outline practical proactive and reinforcement strategies to build rapport, promote safety and foster a positive learning environment.
What You Will Learn:
Presented By:
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Leah Mumford
M.Ed., BCBA
AUTISM SUPPORT NETWORK BC
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