Evidence-Based Practices

The following resources were developed by VKC TRIAD and provide information for promoting evidence-based practices. An intervention is an evidence-based practice when there is scientific evidence to support its claims.

If you need materials in an accessible format, please contact kc@vumc.org or call (615) 322-8240.

Tips and Resources for Educators

Click to access and download.

Choice boards are a form of visual support, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Visual supports are defined as a “visual display that supports the learner in engaging in a desired behavior or skills independent of additional prompts." (Steinbrenner et al, 29)

   View or download "An Overview of Choice Boards" in PDF Format

A functional behavior assessment (FBA) involves evidence-based processes for understanding the factors in a student’s environment that are influencing the occurrence of challenging behavior. Information from an FBA often directly informs a behavior intervention plan, which helps all members of the team implement consistent evidence-based practices aimed at reducing challenging behavior while simultaneously ensuring that students and staff are safe and that student needs are met to the extent possible. Here we offer some materials to (a) help develop FBAs, (b) use FBAs to inform BIPs, and (c) incorporate additional safety and rapport building practices into BIPs.

   View or download "State Board Rules for FBA/BIPs" in PDF Format
   View or download "Functional Behavior Assessment Summary Sheet - Template" in Word Format
   View or download "Behavior Intervention Plan - Template" in Word Format
   View or download "Self-Assessment Rubric" in PDF Format
   View or download "Functional Behavior Assessment Review" in PDF Format
   View or download "AAC and Restraint and Isolation" in PDF Format
   View or download "Refocusing a Group after Challenging Behavior" in PDF Format
   View or download "Re-Entry to the Classroom Following Restraint or Isolation" in PDF Format

First-then boards are a visual support that incorporate reinforcement, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Reinforcement is defined as “application of consequence that happens after a skill or behavior occurs that increases the learner’s use of the skill or behavior in a future situation." (Steinbrenner et al., 112). First-then boards are based on the principle of positive reinforcement, in which reinforcement is provided to an individual or a small group to increase a desired behavior.

   View or download "An Overview of First–Then Board" in PDF Format

A schedule is an ordered list of specific activities to be completed during a given time period. Schedules are considered an antecedent-based intervention, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students that “include a variety of modifications that are made to the environment/context in an attempt to change or shape a learner’s behavior." (Steinbrenner et al. 63).

Types of Schedules:

   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Written" in PDF Format
   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Photo" in PDF Format
   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Line Drawings" in PDF Format

Token boards are an intervention that incorporate reinforcement, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Reinforcement is defined as “application of consequence that happens after a skill or behavior occurs that increases the learner’s use of the skill or behavior in future situation." (Steinbrenner et al., 112). Token boards are based on the principle of positive reinforcement, in which reinforcement is given to an individual or a small group to increase a desired behavior.

   View or download "An Overview of Token System" in PDF Format

Female African American teacher standing in classroom

Tips and Resources for Caregivers

Click to access and download.

A schedule is an ordered list of specific activities to be completed during a given time period. Schedules are considered an antecedent-based intervention, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students that “include a variety of modifications that are made to the environment/context in an attempt to change or shape a learner’s behavior.” (Steinbrenner et al. 63).

Types of Schedules:

   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Written" in PDF Format
   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Photo" in PDF Format
   View or download "An Overview of Schedules - Line Drawings" in PDF Format

First-then boards are a visual support that incorporate reinforcement, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Reinforcement is defined as “application of consequence that happens after a skill or behavior occurs that increases the learner’s use of the skill or behavior in a future situation.” (Steinbrenner et al., 112). First-then boards are based on the principle of positive reinforcement, in which reinforcement is provided to an individual or a small group to increase a desired behavior.

   View or download "An Overview of First–Then Board" in PDF Format

Choice boards are a form of visual support, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Visual supports are defined as a “visual display that supports the learner in engaging in a desired behavior or skills independent of additional prompts.” (Steinbrenner et al, 29)

   View or download "An Overview of Choice Boards" in PDF Format

Token boards are an intervention that incorporate reinforcement, which is an evidence-based practice for autistic students. Reinforcement is defined as “application of consequence that happens after a skill or behavior occurs that increases the learner’s use of the skill or behavior in future situation.” (Steinbrenner et al., 112). Token boards are based on the principle of positive reinforcement, in which reinforcement is given to an individual or a small group to increase a desired behavior.

   View or download "An Overview of Token System" in PDF Format

The above resources were made available at no cost through the Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Technical Assistance Network.


Additional Resources

For additional printable resources and resources for caregivers created by VKC TRIAD, please see the links below.



TRIAD is a proud member of the Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN) through the Tennessee Department of Education. TRIAD, the autism institute at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, provides training, consultation, and coaching services for supporting educators and developing school and system-wide supports to address needs specific to autistic students, Pre-K-12.

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