CATCA 2025: Full Schedule

COMPLETE THE CATCA 2025 SURVEY TO IMPROVE FUTURE CONVENTION

CLOSURE REMARKS FROM CATCA 2025!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE CONVENTION AND FOR CATCA 2026 WILL HAPPEN ON FEBRUARY 19 AND 20, 2026 AT RDP.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM YOUR ATA LOCALS.

All pre-recording videos will be up until May 31st.

11:40am MST

Demystifying Autism

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 2501

Autism is a brain-based difference that affects communication and behavior regulation. In this session, we’ll explore key insights to foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and how they impact everyone in the classroom.
Key Topics:
• Characteristics of Autism: Including real-life, lived experiences.
• Understanding Ableism: How society perceives and treats individuals with developmental disabilities like ASD.
• Executive Functioning: Its effect on day-to-day living, with a focus on classroom challenges.
• What You'll See in the Classroom: Recognizing behaviors and communication patterns that impact teachers and students.
• Coping Strategies: Practical techniques for both school and beyond to help autistic students succeed.
• Resources & Tools: Books, websites, posters, and sensory tools like finger fidgets will be shared, with some items available for display.
• Social Skills Survival: Learn how to teach the "unwritten rules" of social interactions.
Join us to better understand autism and create an inclusive, empathetic learning environment!

Speakers

Terri Robson

After overcoming challenges to accept and understand the impact of Autism (Asperger Syndrome) in her own life, Terri Robson was inspired to help others. With a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, she uses her determination to engage in projects aimed at raising awareness... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2501

1:00pm MST

Rethinking Challenging Behaviour - An Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving®

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)

Working with children and teens who demonstrate challenging behaviours can be difficult, stressful and complex. Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) is a compassionate, evidence-based, trauma-informed approach that provides a philosophy and tools to address challenging behaviour. This approach is used in schools across North America and has been demonstrated to build skills and relationships with students while reducing teacher burnout.

This is an introduction to CPS. This session helps educators reflect on their understanding of challenging behaviour and effective and ineffective interventions to address these behaviours. Participants will learn about how the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach describes why people demonstrate challenging behaviour and how CPS can address these behaviours. This session will help educators decide if CPS would be an effective approach to include in their practice and provide the information and resources to learn more.

If you would like more information about CPS prior to the session, please visit https://thinkkids.org/.

Speakers

Matt Sticksl

Teacher

Matt Sticksl is a teacher, parent and Think:Kids CPS Certified Trainer in Collaborative Problem Solving®. For the past two years he has been teaching in a Student Services role in a K-9 school with the Calgary Board of Education. Prior to this, he taught for eight years in adolescent... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)