Foundational Evidence-Based Practices and Class-wide Strategies for Autistic Learners

This webinar is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of education and is intended for general or special education teachers, paraeducators, school administrators, and school staff in the state of Tennessee who teach students with autism. The webinar will contain didactic information and interactive activities to build participants’ knowledge about autism and its impacts on students in their learning environments. It includes information on the following topics:

1. Characteristics of autism
2. Common myths and truths about communication and social skills regarding students with autism
3. TRIAD-related professional development aimed at assisting educators in better serving students with autism
Date: January 10, 2024, from 3:30-4:30 CST

Register Now!

Are you seeking strategies and knowledge to set the stage for success for your students with ASD and other disabilities? This 1-day workshop showcases strategies that can be incorporated into any learning environment to foster increased student engagement and improve classroom management. This workshop will be from 8-3:30 PM.

The purpose of this four-part virtual article study is to provide educators with additional information, professional discussion, and resources to implement evidence-based practices in their learning environments. The article study will be conducted monthly from November to February and will feature breakout rooms for article discussion, resources, and didactic information about task analyses, token systems, direct instruction, and video modeling. Upon registration, participants will receive a brief article from a professional journal, which is required reading before each virtual session. The webinar series is open to general and special education teachers, paraeducators, and building or district-level administrators. Participants must register for each of sessions they would like to attend. Certificates for one professional development hour will be provided within five business days after each session.

• Session 1: Task Analyses, November 2, 2023, 3:30-4:30 CST. Article: McConomy, M. A., Root, J., & Wade, T. (2022). Using Task Analysis to Support Inclusion and Assessment in the Classroom. Teaching Exceptional Children, 54(6), 414–422.
• Session 2- Token Systems, December 7, 2023, 3:30-4:30 CST. Article: Ackerman, K. B., Samudre, M., & Allday, R. A. (2020). Practical Components for Getting the Most from a Token Economy. Teaching Exceptional Children, 52(4), 242–249.)
• Session 3: Direct Instruction, January 18, 2024, 3:30-4:30 CST. Article: Johnson, H. N., Wakeman, S. Y., & Clausen, A. M. (2022). Inclusive Supports and Strategies to Increase Opportunities to Respond for All Learners. Teaching Exceptional Children.
• Session 4: Video Modeling, February 1, 2024, 3:30-4:30 CST. Article: Ganz, J. B., Earles-Vollrath, T. L., & Cook, K. E. (2011). Video Modeling: A Visually Based Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(6), 8–19.

Vanderbilt’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) will offer a curated, asynchronous course for LEA faculty and staff in Tennessee who directly serve autistic students in a K-12 setting. The purpose the Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) Asynchronous Course is to increase educator capacity to meet the needs of students in their learning environments, including autistic students, using evidence-based strategies.

Vanderbilt’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) will provide a curated library for school leaders (e.g., building-level administrators, coaches, special education supervisors. The library includes modules, tip sheets, and materials that can be utilized to lead brief professional developments for school staff. School leaders can use the library materials to plan for and deliver professional development in their buildings with the aim of increasing educator capacity to meet the needs of students in their learning environments, including autistic students, using evidence-based strategies. This library is for school leaders who will provide professional development to educators who directly serve autistic students in a K-12 setting.