EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are strategies identified through extensive research and practical application. According to the NCAEP (2020), there are 28 recognized EBPs to promote positive outcomes for autistic people.

ACE has identified five practices integral for creating high-quality instructional environments; these serve as building blocks for implementing additional strategies. These include antecedent-based intervention, visual supports, systematic instruction, reinforcement, and social communication instruction. We call these practices The Foundational Five EBPs.

For a complete list, please see the 2020 NCAEP Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism on the National Professional Development Center (NPDC) website.

Below you will find resources to help educators, families, and related service providers explore interventions and strategies to support students with autism.

Featured ACE Resources

Bookmark: The Foundational Five: Evidence-Based Practices in the Classroom

Factsheet: The Foundational Five

How To Videos - Short videos for implementing evidence-based strategies.

Microlearning - Small bites of learning on hot topics focused on foundational knowledge and easy-to-implement skills and strategies.

Learning Paths - An on-demand training resource designed to help you build expertise in autism support through a systematic process grounded in evidence-based practices designed for real classrooms and real results.

Online Course: Evidence-Based Practices to Teach Students with ASD

Virtual Learning Communities in Autism - VLCAs bridge the gap between theory and application of EBPs using self-paced online activities and weekly Zoom sessions.

Additional Resources

Virginia

VDOE Training and Technical Assistance Centers (T/TAC) - Provide professional development and support designed to assist schools in addressing accountability and improvement goals for students with disabilities.

Virginia Autism Council (VAC) - Developed Skill Competencies for Professionals and Paraprofessionals in Virginia Supporting Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan.

National

Autism Internet Modules - Includes 50 free self-paced training modules on evidence-based practices for autism.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center - A federally funded organization that provides resources to enhance naturalistic learning opportunities to support young children and families.

National Autism Center - Offers an online library of resources, including the National Standards Report and school-based guides, which categorize evidence-based practices and provide implementation strategies for families and educators.

National Professional Development Center on Autism (NPDC) - A multi-university center dedicated to the promotion of evidence-based practices for autism. The NPDC Affirm Modules are a series of free online learning experiences designed to help practitioners, families, and paraeducators master EBPs for individuals with autism. Targeted modules for toddlers and paraeducators are also available.

Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) - Serves as a comprehensive clearinghouse for research, resources, and trends, providing a centralized platform for technical assistance, assessment tools, and autism service guidelines.

Organization for Autism Research - An organization focused entirely on applied research across settings.