In response to the need for comprehensive training for individuals
working with students with ASD in Virginia as well as House Bill 325
and the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Training
Standards for Paraprofessionals Assigned to Work with a Teacher Who Has Primary
Oversight of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(PDF)
, VCU-ACE has developed online training opportunities for
paraprofessionals. The training is provided through the use of online
technology. Our online training activities offer high-quality, intensive
training on aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). To participate, you
need a computer with internet access (preferably high-speed), Adobe Flash
Player software within your browser, and a sound card with speakers in order
to listen to the lectures (full text transcripts are provided for all lectures
and multimedia).
Paraprofessionals Training in Wise County
In August 2012, Wise County invited VCU-ACE to provide training to their
paraprofessionals. The training provided paraprofessionals with information,
opportunities to practice skills, and feedback on the skills they were learning.
Paraprofessionals from Wise County, VA who went through the Autism Spectrum
Disorders for Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective Instruction and Supports
training shared their feedback and experiences in this video
(Flash media, 10:18;
Video transcripts:
MS Word
|
Plain text):
Although training is an important element in learning and developing
successful skills and strategies for working with individuals with ASD,
it is imperative that training be followed by support, coaching, and
mentoring to ensure successful implementation of skills and proficiencies.
Local educational agencies are strongly encouraged to follow ACE training
activities with support to assist the paraprofessional with implementation
in the school setting.
Paraprofessionals have provided very positive feedback about the course.
Here are just some of their comments:
"This was so complete. I did not even feel like I was learning. I'm just
so glad to have had the opportunity to take this course. It was wonderful!"
"I enjoyed the course. The information will be invaluable with my
interactions with my students."
"I did enjoy this course. I learned a lot of new information and plan
to implement a few of the strategies with the help of my supervisory teacher!"
"I really enjoyed taking this course, it was very helpful and I enjoyed
sharing this with my leading teacher. We shared many great discussions
about the materials in this course. Thanks again for the opportunity
to take this course."
To see more about what paraprofessionals who have taken the course think
about it, please see the course feedback page.
This course is designed to provide paraprofessionals with skills and
knowledge needed to support students with an ASD in the school setting.
The course will provide an overview of the potential roles and responsibilities
the paraprofessional may be asked to deliver. Participants will learn how to
carry out their responsibilities while maintaining respect for the students
and exhibiting sensitivity to beliefs, values, and cultures. Teaming and
communication with professionals and parents will also be highlighted. The
course will provide participants with an overview of ASD including primary
and secondary characteristics. Information regarding the development and
implementation of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be discussed.
Participants will gain knowledge of educational modifications, accommodations
and educational strategies used to support students with ASD. A focus of the
course will be on understanding interfering behaviors which students with
ASD may demonstrate and effectively supporting the student to reduce these
behaviors and increase positive skills.
A new section of the course runs monthly. Participants may register for
any of the upcoming sections available on the website. They will have
one month to complete the online course. New sections open on the first
weekday of the month and close on the last weekday of the month. You
can register for the course any time, but you will not be able to access
the course until the section for which you registered opens. For example,
you may register in April for a section that begins in July. At the
beginning of July, you would be able to access the course.
This course is designed to target paraprofessionals who provide any
type of instruction or behavior support to these students. However,
the course is appropriate for any person who works in a support role
within the school division or any person who interacts with students
with an autism spectrum disorder but may not have primary
responsibilities for the student. This can include but is not
limited to:
Paraprofessionals who support one particular student
The course consists of 5 modules. Participants are to complete each
module in order until all are successfully completed. The course
begins on the first day of each month and closes on the final day
of the month. Participants can complete each of the 5 modules at their
own pace. However, access to the modules will be staggered over the
course of the month to help ensure the participant completes the modules
in the correct order and devotes the appropriate amount of time to each.
Participants will be given access to the modules using the following schedule:
Modules 1 & 2 will be open during the first week of the section.
Modules 3 & 4 will open during the second week of the section.
Module 5 will open during the third week.
Each module varies in length; however, we estimate it taking approximately
15 hours to complete the entire course. Participants can take the entire
month to complete all 5 modules but will not be able to begin a module
until access is provided.
The modules are comprised of narrated presentations. Participants are to
listen to each presentation in its entirety. Each module will consist of
the following activities:
Narrated presentations with video examples
Guided learning activities
During the presentations, participants will apply content
using learning activities in the form of case studies.
Additionally, other learning activities encouraging
participants to apply the content with students with ASD
with whom they work are provided. These activities are to
be done outside of the time spent online. They are optional,
however, participants are strongly encouraged to complete the
activities and share with their supervising teacher.
Quizzes
Once all content is reviewed in a module, participants are
to complete a module quiz. A score of 80% or better is needed
to move to the next module. Participants will have two attempts
to complete the quiz with a score of 80% or better. If
participants are unable to meet this requirement, they would
be welcome to complete the course for no credit or discontinue
the course at that time and register for the next course where
they would have to complete the entire course again.
Discussion board postings
Participants are required to answer three discussion board
questions based on case studies and respond to their assigned
instructor. Participants must answer all three of the
discussion board questions and respond to their instructor
in order to receive their certificate. If participants do
not answer all three discussion board questions, they would
have to complete the entire course again.
Modules
Module One:
Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Module Two:
Responsibilities of the Paraprofessional and Description
of the Educational Process
This course meets the requirements of House Bill 325 and the
Training Standards for Paraprofessionals Assigned to Work with a
Teacher Who Has Primary Oversight of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(PDF)
. A complete list of the competencies covered will be
provided to participants.
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Identify the core characteristics of ASD and discuss the impact of these
characteristics on a student with ASD.
Discuss what it means to presume competence and how to demonstrate
respect for individuals with ASD
Describe the different components of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Identify team members instrumental in supporting individuals with ASD
and describe the importance of communication and collaboration in the
educational process
Identify strategies for effective communication with educational team members
List ethical and legal considerations and describe the importance of
confidentiality in the educational environment
Identify legal and general responsibilities of the paraprofessional
Describe different ways to structure the environment to support
individuals with ASD
Describe how to implement a variety of educational modifications and
accommodations to provide an individualized education
Discuss how to structure instructional activities for success
Define prompting, shaping, chaining, task analysis and reinforcement
and describe how to teach using these strategies
Describe how to use visual supports to promote understanding and
independence and discuss how to use schedules, first-then boards,
choice boards, and work systems
Describe strategies to promote communication and socialization
of students with ASD
Define the term behavior
Identify and discuss the functions of behavior
Describe the Behavior Intervention Plan and identify how it is used
in the educational setting
Describe strategies used to deescalate interfering
behavior and ensure safety
Certificate of Completion from Virginia Commonwealth University
Autism Center for Excellence
Participants can earn a Certificate of Completion if they have reviewed
all content, have scored a minimum of 80% on each of the five quizzes to
receive a passing grade for each lesson, and answer the required discussion
board questions. Certificates will be made available to participants who
successfully complete the course after the completion of their
registered section.
Many school divisions use the VCU-ACE Paraprofessional online course to meet
the requirements of HB 325, which requires training for paraprofessionals.
You may be asked to provide a copy of your certificate to the school division
where you are employed.
In addition, a school division may ask VCU-ACE for the names and/or
certificates of participants who have registered for or completed the
course. To assist school divisions in accurate record keeping, VCU-ACE
will provide the names and/or certificates of participants who registered
and/or completed the course to their school divisions if requested.
If you, as the participant, do not wish to have your name or certificate
information shared with a school division, you may opt out in writing by
contacting Dr. Selena Layden at smjoy@vcu.edu.
Accessing the Course
To participate, you need a computer with (preferably high-speed) internet access,
Adobe Flash Player software within your browser, and a sound card with speakers in
order to listen to the lectures (full text transcripts are provided for all lectures
and multimedia).
Participants will be able to access course materials on VCU's "Blackboard"
website. Each participant is provided the course URL, a unique username
and a password on the first day of class for the section that they have
registered. Please note that each participant must have his or her own
email address that is not shared with other individuals.
