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Autism Guides and Webinars

GUIDES

Deciphering Students with Autism, by xMinds

The Deciphering Students with Autism guide was written by xMinds Professional Member Sarah Wayland, Ph.D, founder of Guiding Exceptional Parents, with the help of xMinds Executive Director Susan Keisler, and Monica Adler Warner, former director of the Model Asperger Program at Ivymount. This document translates perceptions teachers and others may have of students on the autism spectrum into possible explanations of what might actually be happening for the autistic student.


Inclusive Education and Classroom Strategies, from New York University

The NYU ASD Nest Support Project provides training and support for educators working with students with ASD, including those in the NYC ASD Nest Program. The goal of the ASD Nest Support Project is to advance the development and implementation of educational solutions for children living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Professors from NYU and Hunter College who are affiliated with the Nest Program have written two texts that MCPS educators may find helpful:

Cohen, Shirley and Lauren Hough. The ASD Nest Model: A Framework for Inclusive Education for Higher Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Bleiweiss, Jamie PhD, Lauren Hough, MsEd, and Shirley Cohen, PhD. Everyday Classroom Strategies and Practices for Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

In addition to these texts, the ASD Nest Support Project has made a number of resources available for free online.


Educator Guides by the Organization for Autism Research

The local Organization for Autism Research has also published two guides for educators as well as an entire curriculum for fostering autism awareness in schools:

An Educator's Guide to Autism helps educators prepare for having a student with autism in the classroom; emphasizes the importance of collaborating with the parents; supports the creation of an inclusive environment; and helps educators collaborate with the team supporting the child with autism, including therapists and special educators.

An Educator's Guide to ASD (Level 1 Supports) is designed to serve as a primer for general education teachers to support their students who have Level 1 ASD, as introduced in DSM-5 and defined as a mild form of autism that requires support.

The Kit for Kids program is designed to teach elementary and middle school students about their peers with autism. The kit is centered around an illustrated booklet entitled “What’s Up with Nick?”. This colorful, kid-friendly booklet tells the story about a new student, a boy with autism named Nick, through the eyes of a typical peer. The story teaches children that students with autism may think differently or need some accommodations, but all students are of equal worth and should be treated as such.


Autism Internet Modules (AIM)

50 Online Modules -- Various Topics

Organization:  Modules developed by developed by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders in collaboration with Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) and other partners.

Course:  Autism Internet Modules (AIM)

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Parents

Description: A list of 53 modules that are designed for people who work with, instruct, or live with someone with ASD.  Each module guides you through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. 

Cost: Modules are available for free; an AIM account is free; credit options and professional development certificates are available for a fee

Length: Modules range from 30 minutes to 3 hours in completion time


Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM)

Prompting: Introduction & Practice

Organization: Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM)

Course: Prompting: Introduction & Practice

Target Audience: Paraeducators

Description: This module guides the learner through what least-to-most prompting is, how to support learners with ASD by using prompting, and activity based scenarios that promote real world application of prompting. 0.3 of a CEU(3 Type-II CEs) is available.

Cost: $35

Length: 1.5 to 2 hours

Communication for Education

Communication for Education

Organization: Communication for Education

Course: Communication for Education

Target Audience: Educators and related professionals who support non-speaking autistic individuals

Description: This course provides a solid foundation of best practices for developing a partnership between communication partners and autistic individuals by fostering understanding of presumption of competence, apraxia, emotional and physical regulation strategies, and varied communication strategies. 

Cost: $725

Length: During an 8-week period, participants will watch prerecorded modules each week and participate in weekly live online sessions to receive further instruction and engage in discussion.


Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA)

Addressing Trauma in Middle School Students with Disabilities

Organization: Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA)

Course: Addressing Trauma in Middle School Students with Disabilities

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This webinar discusses how to support middle school students with disabilities during online learning, which has led to a lot of additional anxiety and stress for students with ASD.

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour


Global Online Academy (GOA)

CBL: From Educator-Designed to Co-Designed

Organization: Global Online Academy (GOA)

Course: CBL: From Educator-Designed to Co-Designed

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This course is centered around transitioning from an “educator-designed” to “co-designed” classroom in which the students have a say in their educations. A digital badge is awarded upon completion.

Cost: Free for members, $200 for non-members

Length: Asynchronous

CBL: From Time-Based to Performance-Based

Organization: Global Online Academy (GOA)

Course: CBL: From Time-Based to Performance-Based

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This course discusses why classrooms should shift from time-based learning to competency-based learning, and how to make this change. A digital badge is awarded upon completion.

Cost: Free for members, $200 for non-members

Length: Asynchronous


Inclusive Schooling

On Demand PD 4 Paras

Organization: Inclusive Schooling

Course: On Demand PD 4 Paras

Target Audience: Paraeducators

Description: The four sessions focus on the following topics: making sense of labels, helping kids become independent, understanding the "ABCs" of the IEP, and dealing with emotions. This course provides a certificate of completion, and 10 PD hours.

Cost: $87

Length: 4 sessions, 1 year of access to the content


Jessica Minahan

Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies to Reduce Anxiety in Students

Organization: Jessica Minahan

Schedule of Workshops and Conferences: Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies to Reduce Anxiety in Students

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This course discusses helpful strategies to help reduce anxiety in students and counts as 2 PDPs.

Cost: $199 for members, $229 for nonmembers

Length: 2 hours, October 17, 2024


Kristy Forbes

Autism and Anxiety

Organization: Kristy Forbes

Course: Autism and Anxiety

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Parents

Description: This series allows for viewers to delve into the autistic perspective and insights about how people with ASD are impacted by anxiety. The webinars go into great depth about what this anxiety looks like, why and how it occurs, and how to help.

Cost: $84 ($125 Australian)

Length: 3 part webinar series


Lives in the Balance

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: 2 Day Virtual Training

Organization: Lives in the Balance

Course: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: 2 Day Virtual Training

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: Day 1 talks about a general overview of the CPS model and how to solve problems collaboratively. Day 2 discusses various facets of the model in great detail. This course counts as 6-12 hours towards a CE credit.

Cost: $129.99 for one of two days, $249.99 for both days, $219.99 (group discount for 6 or more registrations)

Length: 2 days, October 3-4, 2024 ( If you cannot join live, your registration gives you access to the recordings)



Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE)

Inclusive Early Childhood Education Webinar Series

Organization: Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

Course: Inclusive Early Childhood Education Webinar Series

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This online course is made up of various webinars (5) on the first steps to preschool inclusion, how to teach preschoolers with special needs, and how to make preschool inclusion work. The link to the webinar(s) will be emailed to the recipent after purchasing.

Cost: $5 for each webinar

Length: Varies for each webinar, approximately an hour


Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

Organization for Autism Research Webinars

Organization: Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

Course: Organization for Autism Research Webinars

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: Many webinars are available on a range of topics concerning autism, including improving executive functioning skills, social skills for adolescents and adults, the transition to adulthood, skilled trades, and sexuality on the spectrum. 

Cost: Free

Length: Varies for each webinar, approximately an hour


Social Thinking

Exploring Our Children’s Stress

Organization: Social Thinking

Course: Exploring Our Children's Stress

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Parents

Description: This course explains how to help children explore their stresses, and also how one can avoid creating more stressors for children during the pandemic. A certificate of completion is available.

Cost: Free

Length: 1.5 hours


Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (SENIA)

SENIA 2024 Virtual Conference

Organization: Special Education Network & Inclusion Association (SENIA)

Course: SENIA Virtual Conference 2024

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: A conference centered around bridging the gap between general education and special education.

Cost: $265 for individual participant

Length: Unspecified, 12PM on December 4th & 5th, many of the recordings of speakers are available for free for 30 days


Teach Me CEUs

Introduction to ASD

Organization: Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM)

Course: Introduction to ASD

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This module guides the learner through characteristics of ASD, how to support learners that have ASD, and activity based scenarios that promote real world application. 0.3 of a CEU(3 Type-II CEs) is available.

Cost: $35

Length: 2 to 3 hours


Universal Class

Autism Spectrum Disorders for Teachers

Organization: Universal Class

Course: Autism Spectrum Disorders for Teachers

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: An overview of autism spectrum disorders for teachers and paraprofessionals. The first half of the course focuses on definition, diagnosis, causes, intervention and program planning. The second half of the course examines specific intervention strategies. 0.9 of a CE Credit is available.

Cost: $95 no certificate, $120 with CEU Certificate

Length: 9 hours average time, unlocked for 6 months after purchasing

Autism 101

Organization:  Universal Class

Course: Autism 101

Target Audience: General Educators, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Description: This course offers insight into ASD. It also disproves common myths about autism and helps teachers gain a better understanding of it as a whole. One CE credit is available!

Cost: $95 no certificate, $120 with CEU Certificate

Length: 10 hours average time, unlocked for 6 months after purchasing

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