Foundational
About this Series
Working with students with autism requires knowledge, patience, and skills. We created this series to give teachers, parents, and anyone living and working with individuals with autism a firm foundation. Courses here provide information on the disorder itself, specific information on the areas of core deficit, along with evidence-based and practical approaches to intervention.
If you’ve never worked with a student with autism or you are looking for new information and strategies, this is the place to start.
Courses
Augmentative and Alternative Communication and the Autism Spectrum (AAC)
This is an overview on AAC and how it is used to support students with autism who struggle to communicate effectively on their own.
Participants will be able to:
- define AAC
- explain why it is considered for some
- list different types of AAC systems
- discuss how to assess which systems work best for an individual student
Autism 101: Top Ten Pieces to the Puzzle
Provides an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder including the characteristics that define it, its impact on different areas of development, and effective, research-based approaches to intervention.
Participants will be able to:
- define the characteristics of ASD
- identify evidence-based strategies to address the behavioral, social, and communication needs of individuals with ASD.
Classroom Organization: The Power of Structure for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Learn how organizational structure can clarify expectations and reduce anxiety in many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Learn about the neurobiological basis of ASD and its connection to structured environments. Learn how to organize physical space, dimensions of time, and learning activities to positively impact student success.
Participants will be able to:
- describe how a well structured environment, time management, and work tasks can benefit a student with autism
- Identify 2 or 3 strategies to use for physical, time, and work space organization
Communication: The Power of Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Communication, one of the core challenges for students with autism, has the power to impact everything a student does. This course will provide information on how communication develops and the intervention approaches that support the development of these skills in students with autism.
Participants will be able to:
- discuss how communication develops
- describe 1-2 core communication challenges
- name three interventions you could use
Futures Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Planning for a student with autism post-secondary life is the focus here. Learn the answers to these key questions. What is futures planning? When should it begin? What resources and tools are available to help in the process?
Participants will be able to:
- define futures planning
- identify their secondary transition team
- dentify resources, services and agencies available to support students with autism
- develop a plan with supports for the student’s independent living, post-secondary education and employment
Navigating the Social Maze: Supports & Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Social interaction and communication, a core deficit in autism, is covered in this course. Learn about the complexities of social communication and interaction for students with autism. Learn assessment strategies and implementation strategies help ensure your students navigation the social maze of everyday life.
Participants will be able to:
- define the necessary parts of social skills
- describe ways to assess social skills
- identify research-based strategies that explicitly teach social skills
- develop a plan to support students in the implementation of social skills training
Solving the Behavior Puzzle: Making Connections for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
In this overview of the concepts and strategies that develop positive behavioral skills in individuals with autism, you will learn about the components of applied behavioral analysis, research based strategies that teach and develop positive behavioral skills, and planning for the prevention and intervention of specific behavioral needs.
Participants will be able to:
- discuss the characteristics of behavior in students with autism
- identify the basic elements of behavior
- plan and implement behavior intervention programs to promote positive behavioral change
Executive Functioning
Provides information on executive function and how deficits in this area influence academic success. Learn strategies to access and develop student cognitive abilities to improve attention, behavior, and organization.
Participants will be able to:
- describe how cognitive differences can negatively impact memory and self-regulation
- recognize and describe students who have difficulty with executive functions
- describe how trouble with executive function can negatively impact academic performance
- describe classroom strategies to improve student attention, recall, memory recall, emotional self-regulation, time management, and focus