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Professional Training
Education Spectrum provides training for teachers from preschool through high school who work with individuals with spectrum disorders. It is vital that educators are equipped to support their students whether they are in a general education or special education or non-public school environments. The following is a sample of topics:
- Understanding Autism/Aspergers
- Early warning signs of autism
- Cognitive Strengths and weaknesses of students with spectrum disorders
- Instructional Strategies and curriculum
- Behavioral Intervention and classroom management
- Support strategies for inclusion
- Social skills development and intervention
- Working effectively with parents
- Designing classrooms to promote effective learning
- Preparing individauls with autism for transition
- Working with children with autism sectrum disorders
- Utilizing published best practice guidlines
For clinical psychologists, school psychologists and other clinical professions working with clients with spectrum disorders, Education Spectrum provides training's that fulfill continuing education units requirements. Topics in this are are:
- Overview of Asperger Syndrome
- Recogninzing and treating asperger syndrome in young children
- Effective early intervention strtegies for children with ASD
- Adolescent Issues and autism sectrum disorder
- How to develop social thinking
- How to promote positive Behavioral change
- Effective psychotherapy strategies strategies
- Understanding Theory of Mind
- Social Skills Training: From eye contact to empathy
Instructional Assistant
For many students on the autism spectrum the support of an instructional assistant is a vital part of their educational program. Education Spectrum offers training for instructional assistants on two different levels:
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Workshops
These sessions are delivered in full and half day formats. Workshops provide instructional assistants with a basic knowledge of autism as well as strategies and interventions that are often used with students on the spectrum. They provide introduction on a variety of subjects including but not limited to:
- Understanding autism
- Social skills facilitation
- Overviews of interventions such as floor time, ABA/DTT, PECS, Pivotal
- Response training, natural language paradigm, aumentative, communication etc.
- Roles and Responsibilities of Paraprofessionals
- General principles of behavior modification
Training Series
Education Spectrum also provides training for instructional assistants on a more intensive level. This four day program culminates in the participant passing a test in order to receive a certificate of completion. As part of the training program, the school district or private school sending the assistants would be required to send a designated staff person (ie. psychologist, teacher specialist, resource teacher, SPED teacher, etc.) to complete the training and be designated to provide supervision and support ot the assistants once they enter back into their classroom settings. Education Spectrum would then hold quarterly meetings for supervisors to help them trouble shoot areas of concern as they provide follow up and supervision. When necessary staff from Education Spectrum can provide school based follow up through site consultation services listed above. The training program provides intensive instruction in the areas listed above as well as:
- Facilitating social interaction on the playground or during free time
- Positive behavior management strategies
- Review published best practice guidlines
- Cognitive strengths and weaknesses
These training sessions will also include role playing, in vivo training, and classroom vignettes.
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Parent
The ability of parents to be educated about their child’s needs and how to effectivly meet these needs in the home and the community is essential. The following is an overview of some of the areas in which Education Spectrum provides parent training:
- Understanding Autism/Asperger’s
- How to choos appropriate intervention techniques for your child
- Behavior management inthe home
- How to participate in your child’s IEP effectively
- How to play with your child
- How to set up successful play dates
- Issues of puberty and dating
- Positive parenting strategies
- What to do with your child when school is not in
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