Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Definition: A child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a child with a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal social communication and social interaction, generally evidenced by the age of three. Other characteristics often associated with ASD are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental changes or changes in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

Support - Autism Education Network

The Autism Education Network is designed to provide school teams support, training, and resources to guide services for students with autism. Below are potential offerings autism network team members may provide based on the request. The level of support provided will be based on AU/school team needs as well as autism team availability.

Training (Virtual or In-Person):

The CDE autism team can create targeted, individualized trainings for an AU/school team based on current needs. These trainings can be done virtually or in-person (pending COVID guidelines), and can cover an array of topics related to autism. Trainings can be anywhere from two hours to one full day. The team does not offer individualized versions of currently offered CDE trainings (see professional development page).

Field Support:

Field support is intended to offer consultation/coaching services and allows the CDE autism consultants to partner with AU/school teams to address systemic or long-standing concerns. This service supports implementation of evidence-based practices within the school setting. The consultant will work with the team to understand current needs, and then establish goals and a subsequent action plan. This plan may include up to six virtual or in-person visits (depending on need and COVID guidelines).

TeleSchool:

The CDE autism team partners with Children’s Hospital Colorado to offer support in completing functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and developing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) via virtual coaching sessions. This service is designed for teams looking to expand their skills in addressing challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self-harm, property destruction) and can commit to recurring weekly or biweekly sessions for approximately one to two months. These sessions involve discussions, coaching, and practice implementing various forms of FBA/BIP and analyzing data. This service is recommended for teams addressing unique and intensive behaviors (e.g., considering alternative placement, behaviors that are not responding to intervention over time, behaviors that have injured staff or other students).

Resource Recommendation:

For teams looking to expand knowledge and in need of quick, potentially asynchronous learning opportunities, the CDE autism team can offer recommendations of existing resources to review. Consultants can provide individualized suggestions of webinars, modules, currently offered CDE trainings, and other related resources. To review options, please visit the webinar page to see all archived webinars, or the professional development page to see currently offered CDE autism team trainings.

Training

CDE provides face-to-face and online Education and Training in the area of autism.  You can participate in webinars presented by the Tri-State Autism Collaborative or you can access them on demand. Face to face trainings, projects, and coaching are provided in the areas of literacy and numeracy.

• Virtual Events
• Tri-State Upcoming Webinars
• Archived Tri-State Webinars (On-Demand)
• Other Training Opportunities
• Face to Face

Resources

Resources:

• Autism Program Quality Indicators
• Determination of Eligibility
• Technical Assistance Document for ASD
• Guidelines for Educational Evaluation
• On-Demand Webinars
  • ​2020-2021 Tri-State Webinars
• Local and national ASD organizations

What's New

BCBA Conversations 2020-2021

If you are a BCBA working in a public or facility school across the state of Colorado, you are invited to a monthly gathering of other BCBAs to collaborate, problem solve and share resources. We will be picking up where we left off last year discussing delivering services in the time of COVID 19, so please come with questions, ideas and anecdotes about what has been helpful for you and your teams.

Hope to see you there!

Times/Dates:

Join BCBA Meeting

Brooke Carson, Ph.D.
Phone: 303-866-6691
Email Brooke Carson

Rhonda Danner, M.A.Ed - Email Rhonda Danner

Kelsey Young, Ph.D. - Email Kelsey Young