Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Early Childhood Coaching Support

Early childhood educators have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one remote coaching support with a TRIAD consultant. The purpose of this coaching support is to increase educator capacity to meet the needs of all students, including autistic learners, in the learning environment through the use of evidence-based practices. TRIAD consultants and educators will use remote coaching and online modules as part of the coaching process. Educators can receive up to 3 remote coaching sessions.

Participant Requirements Participants in this project must:
  1. Register as an individual.
  2. Participants should be early childhood educators working with students receiving special education services. The setting may be general education or special education.
  3. Educators must have the technology for participating in remote coaching support (i.e., computer, webcam, etc.).
  4. Online modules and other resources may be shared with educators.
Learning Topics Topics will vary by educator based on unique needs. Topics may include:
  • Characteristics of autism in young children and its impact on learning.
  • Effective ways to structure and set up your classroom for student success.
  • Evidence-based practices (EBPs) that help children achieve the goals set by the TN Early Learning Standards and optimize learning for all students, including but not limited to:
    • Environmental arrangement
    • Schedules
    • Task analyses
    • Emotional literacy
    • Reinforcement
  • Strategies for scaffolding instructional routines, materials, and activities.
  • Effective utilization of adult support in the classroom.
Educators may choose to engage in goal-setting, problem-solving, and/or deeper learning conversations during their coaching sessions.
Coaching Format

1:1 coaching will include 1:1 remote conversations via Zoom or phone call. Coaching calls may range from 15 minutes to 1 hour in duration. Educators can choose to have up to 3 coaching calls with their TRIAD coach.

Technology required:

  • Webcam
  • Computer or phone
Online Learning Assignments Online learning may be a part of all early childhood coaching partnerships. Online learning may include some of the following:
  • Asynchronous online modules (approximately 10-15 minutes in length per module)
  • Recorded webinars
  • Articles, tip sheets, or other resources
Proof of Attendance Professional development hours are dependent on the number of modules viewed, and the number of coaching sessions. Participants can request a certificate documenting their participation in the early childhood coaching support.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education, through the Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN) and available at no cost to LEAs in Tennessee.

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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