EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES

The field of autism spectrum disorder is constantly changing and evolving. Practically every single day we are learning more about how to serve and support this population in order for them to learn critical skills and become more independent. Because of such ongoing changes in the field of ASD, it is necessary for educators, medical personnel, parents, and other service providers to stay up-to-date on best practices for interventions and strategies available to those with ASD.

Evidence-based practices are those that have been researched and are widely accepted and recognized as effective techniques. There are a number of accepted evidence-based practices regarding autism spectrum disorder. On this page you will find a variety of resources to help you identify and implement evidence-based practices.

VCU Autism Center for Excellence Resources

Courses

Evidence-Based Practices to Teach Students with ASD

Strategies for Supporting Positive Behavior in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Webcasts

Implementation of Evidence Based Practice in the General Education School Setting

Research Based Intervention: Ensuring Program Quality for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Applied Behavior Analysis: Just the Facts

ABA=Good Teaching

Seminars

Introduction to the Use of Schedules with Individuals with ASD

Structuring the Environment and Tasks for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Visual Supports and Autism Spectrum Disorder

How To Videos

Guides and Factsheets

VCU-ACE has developed several fact sheets related to evidence-based practices:

Autism Q and A: Designing Instructional Programs for Skill Acquisition

Autism Q and A: Facilitating Skill Acquisition Using Positive Reinforcement

Autism Q and A: Reinforcement Assessment

Autism Q and A: Using Prompts to Promote Skill Acquisition

The Organization for Autism Research has an extensive parents' guide to research document that helps a parent to be a savvy consumer of research and to determine good sources of information in autism.

The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders has created Evidence-Based Briefs that outline practices determined to be evidence-based and provides a thorough description of how to implement the strategy.

The National Autism Center has developed the National Standards Report which provides an overview of the National Autism Center and provides a list and description of evidence-based practices and the level of scientific evidence available for each. The National Autism Center has also developed an Evidence-Based Practice and Autism in the Schools guide which provides information on evidence-based practices and considerations for implementation in the educational setting.

The Virginia Autism Council (VAC) created a guide to support best practices for educating students with ASD through the Skill Competencies for Professionals and Paraprofessionals in Virginia Supporting Individuals with ASD Across the Lifespan.

Videos and Training

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Toddler Initiative will develop new materials and modify existing processes to support the use of evidence-based practices for young children (birth-3) and for their families.

Virginia's Training and Technical Assistance Centers provide quality training and technical assistance in response to local, regional, and state needs. T/TAC services increase the capacity of schools, school personnel, service providers, and families to meet the needs of children and youth. The regional T/TAC's provide consultations, newsletters, resources, planning, presentations, workshops and trainings, as well as, referrals to other services..

Autism Internet Modules has an online training module regarding evidence-based practices.

Other Websites

The National Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders is a multi-university center dedicated to the promotion of evidence-based practices for ASD. The Center operates three sites at UC Davis MIND Institute, Waisman Center, and the Franklin Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Each of these websites delivers a wealth of information including online training modules, resources, factsheets, and more.

The National Autism Center has an online library and a collection of resources, including articles and information on the National Standards Project and the National Standards Report.

The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, or OCALI, is a clearinghouse of information on autism research, resources, and trends. The OCALI website contains training and technical assistance including assessment resources and ASD service guidelines.

The Organization for Autism Research is an organization focused entirely on applied research: practical research to address the day-to-day challenges of ASD at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, and in the community.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee coordinates ASD related activities across the United States Health and Human Services Department and the Office of Autism Research. The IACC publishes yearly summary advance updates from the field of autism spectrum disorder.