THE ILLINOIS COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIOR DISORDERS
PRESENTS ITS
40TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 2-5
2023
A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE WHERE YOU CAN STAY IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME, HEAR ALL THE GREAT SPEAKERS, AND EARN PD CREDITS.
Getting a copy of speakers handouts and presentations is as easy as peanut butter. Click on the icon above to access presenter hyperlinked materials during the conference.
40th Anniversary Conference Program
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Pre-conference presentation for preschool
6:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.—LISA CIPRIANO--Behavior Analyst, Naperville District 204
Little People with Big Behaviors
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
2:15 P.M.-3:15 P.M. Kickoff presentation with DR. RICHARD VAN ACKER, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois, Chicago
Facing the Demands of Being a Teacher in the Post-Covid Era
It has always been a challenge to be a teacher, especially a teacher of students with emotional, behavioral, and mental health disorders. Over the past several years, however, the demands placed on educators has increased dramatically. While we have a history of addressing challenging student behavior and mental health problems, we currently face a remarkable increase in the intensity of these disorders. We also face increasing shortages of qualified staff, and increased fatigue and a lack of stamina in those of us on the line. As a result, many teachers have begun to demonstrate increased anxiety, depression, anger, and feelings of hopelessness in the face of these challenges. This presentation will explore some of these challenges and identify some approaches educators have found effective in addressing their stress and anxiety when confronted with these demands. We will also identify some approaches school districts have adopted to ease teacher, paraprofessional, and substitute shortages as well as efforts to promote student and teacher mental health support.
3:30 P.M. -4:30 P.M. –JOSH CARLSON—Executive Director, the Knowledge Center at Chaddock,
Trauma 101
Trauma 101 will provide a thorough overview of trauma and adverse childhood experiences and their impact on children and youth. Participants will develop an understanding of the impact of trauma on brain development and how these manifests in behaviors. Participants will leave with basic strategies that can be used to support students in their class.
4:4O P.M. -5:40 P.M.—ELIZABETH HARDMAN, PhD—ILCCBD Executive Board President
Punishment Procedures that Work
For many years, teachers have used a wide range of ineffective, sometimes demeaning, and harsh discipline procedures to address everything from minor disruptions to serious conduct disorders. Teachers need to be knowledgeable about and have access to a wide range of effective punishment procedures, especially when addressing the chronic, severe behavior problems students with emotional and behavioral healthcare needs sometimes present.
5:50 P.M.-6:50 P.M.—JESSICA MERCADO ANAZAGASTY, School Psych Intern, and SAMUEL WHITLEY, School Psychologist/Supervisor, Springfield Public Schools
Use of Local Screening Data to Predict Long Term Behavioral Outcomes
This presentation will introduce a behavioral screening tool which uses local district data to predict long-term behavioral outcomes. Following a preventative model this tool can help guide service provision and be applied to both behavioral and academic screening data. The tool requires minimal statistical knowledge and low technology demands.
7:00 P.M.-8:00 P. M.—MICHELLE LAIRD, Special Educator Director, Troy School District and RHEON GIBSON, Author and PD Provider
Effective Strategies for Working with Challenging Students
Come join this highly interactive, engaging presentation that will provide practical strategies for adults and children that can be implemented immediately. Rheon has authored children’s books for SEL skills and is a sought after professional speaker and PD provider.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
8:15 A.M-9:15. A.M.—CORI MORE and JENNIFER BUCHTER, Assistant Professors, Eastern Illinois University
Troubleshooting Reinforcement
When using reinforcement as a behavior change tool, sometimes the behavior doesn’t change in the way we expect it to. This presentation will explore common issues that can arrive when using reinforcement and provide tools to troubleshoot these issues.
9:25 A.M. 10:25 A.M.—MICHELLE TRAGER, Parent Advocate with a School Social Worker Degree.
The Hidden Epidemic Behind Students’ Behavioral Symptoms: FASD and Neurodiversity
This will include a discussion of the hidden epidemic of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and how learning to identify the impact of FASD guides our response to this brain-based disability in order to improve the outlook for students on the FA spectrum, their families, and those who work with them.
10:35 A.M.-11:35 A.M.--DEBORAH BRUNS and LOUISE YOHO Professor, SIU Carbondale, Co-Principal Investigators, Behavior Assessment Training Project, and MICHELLE CONNET, Behavior Assessment Training Project Coordinator
FBAS AND BIPS Through a Culturally Responsive Lens
It is necessary to reflect on one’s assumptions, beliefs and practices about challenging behaviors to understand and address the behaviors in successful ways. The Behavior Assessment Training (BAT) project focuses on assisting professionals to conduct functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and develop behavior intervention plans (BIPs) through a culturally responsive lens.
11:45 A.M. 12:45 P.M.—MELANIE UNTERMAN—Retired Special Educator
Service Based Learning—A Way to Reach Students with Behavioral/Emotional Challenges
This session provides a description of a unique award-winning program at Glenbard North High School. Incorporated into the program was Service Based Learning to support the goal of the program which was to develop a sense of community, civic awareness, and civic responsibility. New research will be shared that demonstrates that Service Based Learning improves mental health and reduces classroom violence. Academic studies are embedded in the service projects.
12:45 PM.-1:15 P.M.--BREAK
1:15 P.M.-2:15 P.M.-- MARIE MANNING, Assistant Professor, Eastern Kentucky University and VANESSA TUCKER, Pacific Lutheran University
When You Just Want the Behavior to Change! Using Function-Based Interventions to Promote Positive Behavior
This interactive presentation will used case-based activities to analyze behavior and develop an initial hypothesis that explains the function. Participants will then select possible interventions that will promote positive behavior change using multi-tiered systems of supports,
2:25 P.M.-3:35 P.M.—MARGARET CARROLL, Professor, Saint Xavier University
Can’t and Won’t: How Learning Disabilities Impact Behavior
In this year of anniversaries, 40 years of ILCCBD, 60 years since the term “learning disabilities” was coined, let’s explore how specific learning disabilities can impact behavior. Let’s also explore what strategies teachers and parents can use to successfully determine if it’s “can’t” or “won’t” and build success for kids.
3:45 P.M.-4:45 P.M.— JANICE GONT, Professor, Aurora University
Instructional Strategies for Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills with Middle School & HS Neurodiverse Students

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
1:00 P.M.-2:00 P. M.-- BEV JOHNS, ILCCBD Executive Board President Elect/Conference Chair,Author, Speaker, Educator; Elizabeth Hardman, Ph.D., ILCCBD Executive Board President; Rick Van Acker, EdD, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois-Chicago; Elizabeth Mackie, ILCCBD Executive Board ICEC Liaison, Retired Chicago Public School Teacher
Easy, Effective, and Low Intensity Behavioral Interventions that Work for Students with Challenging Behaviors
2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.--MICHELLE LAIRD,SPECIAL Education Director Troy School District and LISA CIPRIANO
Compassion Fatigue
3:10 p.m. -4:40 p.m. Voices from the PastPast Presidents of Illinois CCBD share:
How We Made It In the Field of Behavioral Disorders
Reflections on successful careers working with Students with Emotional/ Behavioral Disorders