This VTSS overview session will help autism specialists grow common vocabulary and understanding of the framework being adopted by many school divisions across Virginia to increase student behavior and academic outcomes.  Participants will consider how VTSS impacts the selection and implementation of evidence based practices, collaboration and professional learning, and most importantly, how the framework aligns with their work as autism specialists. 

After the session, participants will be able to: 

• Name and describe the essential features of VTSS 
• Describe where special education  and ASD EBP fit within the VTSS framework
• Use the VTSS framework to resource map interventions for learners with and without ASD
• Propose ideas and/or action plan ways to integrate ASD professional learning within a tiered framework

Karen Berlin, M. Ed, BCBA, LBA serves as an educational specialist for the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Training and Technical Assistance Center, (T-TAC) at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.  Karen serves as a T-TAC coordinator in the areas of autism and intellectual disabilities, and as a VTSS and PBIS coach for Region 4, the northwestern region of Virginia.  She received her special and elementary education undergraduate degree from Penn State University, her M.Ed. in Special Education from Georgia State University, and completed her BCBA coursework at George Mason University.   Karen provides classroom, school and systems level coaching to increase achievement and positive outcomes for students with disabilities, including those with ASD.