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Educational Interventions

Components of an Effective Educational Program

The National Resource Council has summarized its recommendations for early intervention and quality educational interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Recognizing an overall goal of personal independence and social responsibility, they recommend that programs focus on development of functional verbal and nonverbal communication skills, social skills, cognitive abilities, positive behavior approaches, and generalization of skills across multiple environments.  (National Research Council, Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, Educating Children with Autism, Catherine Lord and James P. McGee (eds.), Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2001, http://www.nap.edu/.)

Although educational programs will vary due to the uniqueness of each child and the wide range of autism spectrum disorders, there are a number of characteristics present in effective intervention programs. Intervention should begin as soon as an autism spectrum diagnosis is seriously considered. An effective program must be tied to the needs of the individual child and family and include opportunities for interaction with typically developing peers.

The following are nine indicators in a quality educational program for children with autism spectrum disorders:

  • Comprehensive team approach involving the family
  • Comprehensive assessment of skills and deficits
  • Clearly defined goals addressing the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder 
  • Structure the environment 
  • Effective teaching strategies
  • Applying functional behavior assessment to problem behavior
  • Assessment of the intervention (data collection)
  • Transition planning
  • Opportunities with peers
Resources
 
The Educational Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, a publication of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, was recently updated and is now available online.   The manual, designed to provide education related information on autism spectrum disorders and to assist Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams in developing educational programs for students with ASD, contains detailed descriptions on each of the quality indicators listed above.
 
Click here to download the new The Educational Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders. 
 
Another helpful resource is The Puzzle of Autism, a guide produced by the National Education Association (NEA) in collaboration with the Autism Society of America, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists.  This concise and effective informational guide is designed for all education personnel who work with students with autism spectrum disorders. The guide explains common characteristics and suggests effective classroom strategies for improving the communication, sensory, social, and behavioral skills of children who have autism. 
 
Download a copy of The Puzzle of Autism.
 
The Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit provides a wealth of information for use by all members of the school community.  Included are sections covering general strategies for intervention as well as information designed for specific members of the school staff including bus drivers, custodians,  general and special education teachers, administrators, office staff, paraprofessionals, school nurses, and peers. 
 
Click here to view the School Community Tool Kit.
 
The Interactive Collaborative Autism Network (ICAN) is a project supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  This site provides a series of free online training modules on autism spectrum disorders containing information about characteristics, assessment, and academic, behavioral, communication, environmental, sensory, and social interventions.
 
Click here to access ICAN training. 
 

The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) has posted free online training on evidence-based interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders.

 
Click here to view the Autism Internet Modules.  
 
Appropriate Interventions

Selecting the appropriate intervention for your child or student is a highly individualized and personal decision. Ilene Schwartz, Professor and Chair of Special Education at the University of Washington, suggests considering these four questions when evaluating the effectiveness and the fit of an intervention program.

  1. Are the goals and objectives clearly stated? Are they important to you?
  2. Are the procedures clearly stated? Are they acceptable to you?
  3. What data have been collected about this procedure in general? What data have been collected in your classroom or with your child? Are they convincing to you?
  4. How does this procedure affect your family? Is this acceptable to you?
Research-based Interventions
 
Highlighted are four often-cited research-based intervention methods.  For further information on specific educational strategies, please visit our links page.  Inclusion of this information should not be construed as an endorsement of the intervention.
    Last Modified on 4/19/2010 1:01:28 PM
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