Autism Activity at FPG

Investigators at FPG conduct research and provide professional development and technical assistance support through a wide variety of autism focused projects. A sampling of those projects is listed below. You can click on an individual project to learn more.

We have published dozens of book chapters, journal articles, reports, policy briefs, and practitioner-friendly resources that address the needs of individuals with autism across the age range, as well as the needs of their families and service providers.

FPG Project Staff:
Rebecca Dees, Educational Consultant
Kara Hume, Fellow
Sara (Sallie) W. Nowell, Postdoctoral Scholar
Samuel L. Odom, Senior Research Scientist
, Intervention Coach
Ann M. Sam, Advanced Research Scientist
Jessica R. Dykstra Steinbrenner, Advanced Research Scientist
Susan Szendrey, Student Assistant
Brianne (Gerlach-McDonald) Tomaszewski, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Victoria Waters, Research Specialist
Related Projects:
Making Professional Development Work for Preschool Classroom Teams Serving Students With ASD: Adapting a PD Model Using Normalization Process Theory
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2024
Award Amount: $307,005
Efficacy Follow-Up Study of the CSESA Model
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2021
Award Amount: $1,100,000
Supporting Paraprofessionals' Use of Evidence-Based Practices for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2021
Award Amount: $1,399,984
AFIRM for Paraprofessionals
Post-Doctoral Training in Special Education and Autism Research
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2021
Award Amount: $682,884
An Efficacy Study of the School-Based National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder's Model
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2019
Award Amount: $3,498,529
The Efficacy Study for Elementary Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder (TESELA)
Step It Up: Increasing Physical Activity for Adults With ASD and ID Through Self-Management
Organization for Autism Research
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Award Amount: $28,718
Step It Up
Toddlers and Families Together: Addressing Early Core Features of Autism
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2017
Award Amount: $299,999
Center on Secondary Education for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA)
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2017
Award Amount: $9,994,452
Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA)
Joint Attention Mediated Learning Intervention for Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families
Indiana University
July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2017
Award Amount: $1,045,935
Promoting the Use of Evidence-Based Practices for Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families in Saudi Arabia
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre Riyadh
September 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
Award Amount: $84,986
Online Module Development of Evidence-Based Practices for Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Vanderbilt University
October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2016
Award Amount: $398,000
AFIRM (Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules)
Improving Social-Communication and Engagement of Elementary Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Adapting a Preschool Intervention for Elementary School Classrooms
Organization for Autism Research
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Award Amount: $30,000
ASD Toddler Initiative: Promoting the Use of Evidence-Based Practices for Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Speaks
February 1, 2012 - July 31, 2014
Award Amount: $400,000
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2014
Award Amount: $5,000,000
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC)
Comparison of Two Comprehensive Treatment Models for Preschool-Aged Children With Autism
U.S. Department of Education
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2012
Award Amount: $3,019,247