Training Series Overview

This training offers a series of 7 courses with topics related to developing comprehensive programming for students across the autism spectrum and across grade levels. The courses take a wholistic approach to programming by addressing the behavior, learning, communication, social, and sensory needs of students. Each course includes strategies that are research based.

Material was developed into sections to better facilitate learning. The sections under each course are structured to be viewed sequentially.

Training Series Length: 25 hours

Courses Included:

• Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (1 section; 1 hour)

In this course, attendees will gain a better understanding of the range of characteristics associated with an autism spectrum disorder, including social skills, communication, behavioral and other characteristics. This course is helpful for professional or paraprofessional staff working with those on the spectrum across a range of settings. Importance of family support will also be discussed.

• Strategies for Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors (3 sections; 3 hours)

This course will help attendees understand processes involved in responding to crises, understanding and assessing problematic behavior, and in developing behavior support plans.

• Instructional Strategies: Students Across the Grade Level and Across the Autism Spectrum (2 sections; 2 hours)

This course addresses evidence-based practices for teaching students across the autism spectrum and across grade levels. Strategies associated with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are also mentioned.

• Communication for Students on the Autism Spectrum (4 sections; 5 hours)

This course focuses on a variety of topics included in communication, including how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may affect a person’s receptive, expressive, and pragmatic communication skills. Emphasis will be on practical strategies for both classroom settings and home teaching to support students across their day. Examples will be shared to address the needs of a variety of ages and ability levels, from students who are non-verbal who may use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to communicate, to those who are following a general education curriculum and need conversational language support.

• Structuring for Success (4 sections; 4 hours)

This course will explain the evidence-based methodology of Structured Teaching. Emphasis will be on practical examples for both classroom settings and home teaching. Examples will be shared applicable to a variety of ages and ability levels from students who are non-verbal to those who are following a general education curriculum.

• Teaching Social Skills to Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

This course will highlight the social characteristics associated with an autism spectrum disorder across settings. Evidence-based strategies will be described, including how to implement with fidelity. Social skills lessons will be shared including how to develop, maintain, and understand friendship skills.

• Autism and Sensory Processing (4 sections; 6 hours)

This course explains each of the sensory systems, and typical and atypical responses. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how sensory differences impact individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and learn the benefits of sensory strategies and evidenced-based practices to support student/individual success across settings.

Objectives

Our goals for all participants of the  Comprehensive Programming for Students Across the Autism Spectrum Training Series that attendess should be able to:

1. Develop programming for individuals across the entire autism spectrum and in a variety of settings that addresses the whole person, including their social, communication, sensory, behavioral and academic needs;
2.  Adopt strategies that have been identified as evidence-based and address long term outcomes; and
3. Utilize an individualized approach that considers the role and involvement of families and community resources.