Researchers consistently agree that intensive, systematic, and evidence-based interventions are the cornerstones of teaching individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These interventions address communication, social skills, daily-living skills, play and leisure skills, academic achievement, and maladaptive behaviors. While there are several models for service and intervention delivery, in order to address the domains identified by the Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services and to ensure consistency in reporting practices for receipt of Autism Waiver services, this training provides an overview of basic behavioral principles and terminology.
In addition to the 10 online information tutorials, it is important for Autism Specialists providing services for Autism Waiver recipients to have information and experience in conducting criterion referenced assessments, developing discrete teaching plans, developing data collection and tracking systems, and provide ongoing training, consultation, and progress monitoring.
Finally, it is important for the Autism Specialist, who is responsible for the management of the child’s team, to be knowledgeable about billing requirements, documentation, and reporting requirements. Consequently, the training provides the following components.
Training consists of three (3) components; online informational tutorials, assessment training (clinic), and follow-up/support. Each component is outlined below:
Autism Specialist: 4-Week Training for Kansas SRS Autism Waiver |
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| Week | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Autism Specialist | ||||
| Online Tutorials (1-2) and Independent Work | • | |||
| Autism, Behavior Analysis, Behavior, Data | • | |||
| Online Tutorials (3-6) and Independent Work | • | |||
| Increasing Behavior | • | |||
| Online Tutorials (7-10) and Clinic | • | |||
| Criterion Referenced and Functional Assessments | • | |||
| Follow-up | • | |||
Ten online tutorials are included in the training. These tutorials include information about autism and the principles of behavior. In addition, these tutorials provide information on how to:
The Autism Specialist training also includes information on Provider Requirements, that is, the development of:
For all of these tutorials, the Autism Specialist will be required to complete independent work assignments. These assignments will include activities such as scoring video-clips of children, program development, assessment planning, conducting an assessment, completing an IBP, and developing a function-based intervention. These assignments will become part of the work portfolio submitted during week 4 of training.
Clinic Training: Following the online tutorial Clinic Training begins. During this time, the Autism Specialist receives training on the use of Criterion Referenced Assessments for experience in conducting assessments and using assessment results for program development and progress monitoring. In addition, Autism Specialists will receive instruction and experience in conducting functional assessments/functional analyses in order to determine the function of aberrant behaviors as well as the development of function-based interventions. This process is essential for ensuring the best program possible. Criterion referenced assessment results and sample programs developed from the assessment will become part of the work portfolio submitted during week 4 of the training.
Follow-up will consist of submission of a final work portfolio during week 4 of the training. In addition, 2 video-clips of the Autism Specialist working with a child(ren) with autism will be submitted and scored by training staff. Finally, in order to provide ongoing consultation and support for the Autism Specialists, the team from KU/LSI will provide 2 regional workshops each year. These workshops will last 6 hours and will require that each Autism Specialist bring video-samples of teaching programs, challenging behaviors, and/or other samples with which they would like feedback and support. This ongoing support will ensure that children receiving Autism Waiver services will receive the best programs and support possible.
