In this interactive session, participants will learn how the National Professional Development Center on Autism (NPDC) model supports program quality, use of evidence-based practices, and goal attainment for autistic students in preschool through high school settings.
Training Description
This online training is designed for professionals who work with autistic students across school ages. The information shared is relevant for early career teachers, experienced teachers, related service providers, coaches/technical assistance providers, paraeducators, and administrators. The strategies discussed can be used in both inclusive and separate settings.
Participants will take part in a two-day virtual training to:
- learn about the NPDC model;
- learn about program quality for autistic students;
- select and scale goals to monitor progress (goal attainment scaling);
- understand and select evidence-based practices to address a goal;
- implement foundational evidence-based practices to address key areas of need for autistic students (e.g., independence and adaptive skills, social-communication needs, school readiness and academics, and interfering behaviors); and
- develop an action plan to enhance quality and the use of evidence-based practices in their setting.
Training will include both didactic instruction and small group discussion. Participants must participate and leave cameras on to obtain CEUs and a Certification in the NPDC Model.
If you have questions or are interested in registering 50 participants for an internal training for your district or organization with a preferred date, please send your request to: npdc@unc.edu.
Upcoming Event Dates
June 13 - 14, 2024 | Access June registration
August 6 - 7, 2024 | Access August registration
Event Price
$440
Training Instructors
Ann Sam is a senior research scientist at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. Her research and professional development interests are rooted in her direct experience as a public-school teacher working in preschool and kindergarten classrooms with students with autism. The primary goal of her work is to increase awareness and use of evidence-based interventions and resources designed to improve outcomes for students with autism. At the heart of her work is ensuring this access extends to professionals in under-served communities—those with fewer resources available for extensive in-person training and support. To address this goal, Sam's research and professional development activities focus on two primary areas: 1) using novel technologies to provide interventions to students and professional development to educators; and 2) rigorously researching professional development materials and models for educators to determine effective ways to increase successful implementation of evidence-based practices with students with autism.
Becky Dees is an Educational Consultant with the autism group at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. She spends time in classrooms, coaching teachers on their use of evidence-based practices. She has written modules for the Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM) and AFIRM for Toddlers. She provides training for the National Professional Development Center on Autism (NPDC) and on the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS). She also works with the TEACCH Autism Program providing training for educators and clinicians working with individuals with autism. Dees has more than 20 years of experience working with autistic individuals of all ages and providing training and coaching for professionals.
