Professional Learning (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Training and information is available in various formats noted below.  Please note that these training workshops are reserved first for Colorado School District and Administrative Unit personnel who work directly with children with autism spectrum disorders and parents of those children. All other reservations have been added to the waiting list and you will be notified at the registration deadline if there are open spaces.

 Face-to-Face

This is a list of trainings requiring attendance in person.

ASD Literacy Institute, Tier 1

Description

This statewide institute will be conducted by nationally recognized experts on literacy and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dr. Christi Carnahan and Dr. Pam Williamson. The institute content will focus on a balanced approach to literacy including instruction in phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Each aspect of literacy will be linked to the unique cognitive, social, and communication issues inherent in ASD. Assessment strategies will include an overall estimation of the students' literacy abilities from interactive to independent, which will help teachers determine what additional literacy assessments may be needed to inform instruction. Measures of student outcomes and teacher outcomes will be incorporated into the project, developed by the presenters in conjunction with the CDE autism consultants.

Requirements

Each team member must commit to attend each full day of the training in BOTH October and March. Substitution of team members will not be allowed. If a participant does not honor this attendance requirement, he or she will not receive the CDE 32 hour certificate of attendance. Clock hour certificates will not be prorated to time in the course. There will be an additional option for participants to have virtual coaching from the presenters for additional clock hours for a virtual project identified during the institute.

Registration

Tier 1 Literacy Institute Application for Registration

Each team member must register individually. There will be space on the registration form where you will be required to include the names of your teammates who are also registering individually. There is a limit to the number of participants who can attend so please register accordingly.  A wait list will be started if the maximum is reached.

**Please Note** The application for registration will close on October 9, 2019 at 5pm.

This 2-day Toolkit training has been developed to support districts in the development of understanding how to identify students having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with evaluation tools using a body of evidence in an educational setting (without using the ADOS).

Topics covered include:

• How to develop an evaluation plan that meets the triad of characteristics of ASD across the full spectrum
• Colorado numbers and trends for identification
• Identification of girls with ASD
• Frequently Asked Questions about Educational Identification

View ASD Educational Identification Flyer to learn more! 

Communication Toolkit

This two day training is in response to feedback from administrators and teachers/service providers working with students with ASD. Participants must come with a student(s) in mind, along with a basic summary of the student's current communication skill levels. We will use these individual student profiles during training. 

See ASD Communication Toolkit Flyer for more details.

 Tri-State Webinar Series - Upcoming

The Colorado Department of Education is partnering with the Kansas TASN Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports Group and the Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network to bring a comprehensive series of webinar trainings to their educators, families, and related service professionals.

Fall Webinars

Spring Webinars

Other Training Opportunities

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Online Training Opportunity

This 40+ hour readiness training is a free, self-directed, online training which fulfills the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) eligibility training requirements toward attaining a Registered Behavior Technician^TM (RBT^TM) credential. Please note this course is for staff or families working/living in Colorado,

Dates: September 26, 2019 -  March 23, 2020

This the application is no longer open. The upcoming session of the RBT course is at capacity. 

More information regarding the September 26, 2019 - March 23, 2020 RBT Online Training Opportunity

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive ASD Educational Identification

This workshop will provide school professionals with advanced training pertaining to considerations regarding ASD assessment practices when working with traditionally underserved children, including children that are economically vulnerable, racially/ethnically diverse, linguistically diverse, and females.  See flyer for more information and to register.

More information coming soon! 

Specialist Contacts