Comprehensive Autism Evaluations for Special Education Eligibility
About this Event
Comprehensive Autism Evaluations for Special Education Eligibility: Determining Level of Need
This exciting NEW training will be held at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD. This 1-day in-person training on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, will provide an overview of IDEA-aligned autism eligibility evaluations, emphasizing multidisciplinary assessment, educational decision-making, and individualized support planning. Participants will explore key assessment domains, including communication, social functioning, adaptive skills, sensory and behavioral needs, and cognitive and academic performance, while learning to synthesize findings into clear eligibility determinations and actionable recommendations.
Lunch will be provided during this training.
In addition, there is an available ADOS-2 Assessment Training on Monday, October 26 & Tuesday, October 27, 2026. This training includes comprehensive training on the Autism and Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2), an assessment often used in comprehensive autism evaluations.
Training Location: Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD
Trainers: Lisa Bannwarth, EdS, NCSP; Heidi Aderhold, EdS; Jessica McHugh Conlin, PhD, OTR/L, BCP; Aimee Deliramich, PhD
Continuing Education: A certificate of completion/attendance will be provided for the training completed. If additional information is needed for your credentialing/licensing board, please contact us.
**If you are interested in attending this training and it is sold out or registration is closed, please sign up on the waitlist in case of cancellations. Walk-ins will not be allowed.
Learn a little more about our multi-disciplinary training team!
Lisa Bannwarth, EdS, NCSP, is a school psychologist with Teachwell Solutions. In her current position, she does virtual psycho-educational evaluations and works with rural school teams to create comprehensive plans for students with disabilities. Lisa has previous experience in public school systems, residential settings, outpatient clinics, and daycare facilities. Lisa has helped develop autism spectrum disorder evaluation teams within school systems and has a passion for working with children with autism.
Heidi Aderhold, EdS, currently serves as the education specialist for the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s Center for Disabilities (SD UCEDD/LEND). She provides continuing education, clinical services, interprofessional training, information dissemination, serves as a school liaison, and provides technical assistance to professionals, parents, and community members. She has served in Special Education for 18 years. Most recently as an elementary education instructional coach in the Sioux Falls School District. Prior to this, she was a special education teacher for students with a wide variety of disabilities; both in Northern Virginia and South Dakota.
Jessica McHugh Conlin, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, is an occupational therapist, researcher, and healthcare leader with over 25 years of experience across clinical practice, education, and systems-level advocacy. She is the former owner of a pediatric outpatient therapy clinic and currently serves as an occupational therapist for the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s Center for Disabilities (SD UCEDD/LEND), and is also the Director of Research for a nonprofit organization focused on community-based health and wellness initiatives. Dr. McHugh Conlin began her career as a special education teacher, working extensively with children with autism, and later served as an Autism Consultant for the state of Missouri. Her work as an occupational therapist focuses on supporting children and families through sensory processing, feeding, and functional skill development across home, school, and community settings.
Aimee Deliramich, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of South Dakota, Center for Disabilities, in Sioux Falls, SD. Dr. Deliramich evaluates children and adults as part of an interdisciplinary diagnostic team within the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic. These training clinics allow LEND (Leadership, Education, and Excellence in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) graduate students across 12 disciplines to observe and participate under the direction, supervision, and mentorship of Dr. Deliramich. As a member of the LEND clinical faculty, Dr. Deliramich teaches courses related to mental health and disabilities, evidence-based treatments, and community resources. Dr. Deliramich is the Clinical and Education Training Coordinator for the HRSA Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program grant in South Dakota, called BEAM-SD.
The development of this course was supported in part by IDEA Part B Grant # H027A130166 and IDEA Part B Section 619 Grant # H173A130091 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs through the South Dakota Department of Education, Special Education Programs. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Education and should not be regarded as such.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 150.00
