Autism Spectrum Disorder:An Introductory Training Program for York Region Service Providers and Parents

In the Spring of 2012 and Winter of 2013, the York ASD Partnership provided an intensive 8 session introductory training program to any York Region service provider who was involved with intake, screening, first contact or direct support to families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Course content included an introduction to ASD, a review of best practice interventions, a review of the service system for children and adults with ASD in York Region, and an overview of single plans of care and the shared electronic record. Those sessions were recorded and edited and are now available through the CTN Community Learning Library.

Who should complete this training?

Any staff involved in screening, intake, first contact or direct support to individuals and families who are seeking or accessing services in York Region. This includes agencies who are not ASD service providers, and staff who did not complete the original training or staff who may need a refresher.

Why is this training important?

A good understanding of ASD, of the challenges facing families of individuals with ASD and of the service system in York Region will enhance the ability of service providers to meet the needs effectively and efficiently while ensuring the experience is supportive and positive for those families.

How Do Professionals Access These Modules?

Interested staff must be registered by their supervisor/manager.
To receive login information, supervisors/managers should contact Janette Seymour, Assistant Project Manager for the York ASD Partnership
Please provide the participants’ name as they would like it to appear on their certificate and their email address.
Once this information has been received, a training “seat” will be made available to that staff. An email notification will be sent directly to that staff.
The training “seat” will remain open for 90 days. The participant will be reminded by email 14 days prior to the closure of the seat.
Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of participation.

Please note that introductory ASD information is not part of this training; however, current information is easily accessible online at Autism Ontario.

How Do Parents Access these Modules?

Interested parents can register for this training by contacting Autism Ontario York Region.
A training seat will be opened and will remain open for 90 days.
The participant will be reminded by email 14 days prior to the closure of the seat.
Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of participation.

Please note that introductory ASD information is not part of this training; however, current information is easily accessible online at Autism Ontario.

Training Module Descriptions

Each module shows its number, title, presenter, description and duration.

A Review of Evidence Based Practices: A Definition and an Introduction to ABA

Neil Walker

In this module you will learn:

The definition of evidence based practice

How intervention can be rated as established, emerging, unestablished or ineffective/harmful

The importance of an individualized approach

Tips for guiding families to make informed decisions about intervention

The basic principles of ABA intervention

18:55

A Review of Evidence Based Practices: The Neurological Basis of Memory, Positive Behaviour Support and Functional Behaviour Assessment

Neil Walker

In this module you will learn:

The difference between rote and representational memory and the impact of ASD on these systems

An overview of evidence based practices Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Functional Behaviour Analysis (FBA)

7:55

A Review of Evidence Based Practices: Intensive Behaviour Intervention, Structured Teaching and Communication Supports

Neil Walker

In this module you will learn:

An overview of evidence based practices Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) and Structured Teaching

An overview of using visual strategies to support communication

10:32

A Review of Evidence Based Practices: Pivotal Response Training and Communication Interventions

Neil Walker

In this module you will learn:

An overview of pivotal response training (PRT) with an emphasis on the key skills of initiation and asking questions

Communication interventions with an understanding of expressive and receptive communication, the link between communication and behaviour, the total communication approach and the Picture Exchange Communication System

13:10

A Review of Evidence Based Practices: Verbal Behaviour, Social Skills Interventions, Sensory Differences, and Biomedical Interventions

A Summary of Family Supports and Provincial Programs

Neil Walker

In this module you will learn about:

An overview of verbal behaviour

An overview of evidence based social skills interventions including Peers Training, Circle of Friends, Social Stories and Stories to Increase Social Understanding

An overview of strategies to address sensory differences

A review of biomedical interventions including medications, homeopathic interventions and dietary interventions

A review of the necessary family supports

A review of provincial programs including Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI), Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Preschool Speech and Language and Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

A discussion of working with education and crisis response