National Inclusive Education Initiative for Students with Autism and Related Disabilities

2012

As the population of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) increases, educators need strategies and resources to improve their ability to teach students with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities (ASDRD) in general education classrooms and neighborhood schools alongside non-disabled peers. The NIEI is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities through efforts in the areas of leadership development, personnel preparation, professional development, model demonstration, clinical evaluation services, and research and policy. Leadership The NIEI will support existing leadership efforts and offer two new leadership programs: one for 40 school administrators and one for 40 teachers (both general and special education). The project will support all of these leadership programs to reach a national audience through partnerships with national colleagues and broad dissemination efforts. Personnel Preparation The NIEI will recruit 10 scholars into each of four existing programs of study at UNH that address issues related to inclusive education of students with ASDRD. The NIEI will provide technical support to faculty who teach in these programs to offer two ASD-specific courses via distance learning to a national audience. Professional Development The first will be the development and offering of a self-study web-based module on ?Improving Access to the General Education Curriculum for Students with ASD.? The second professional development activity of the NIEI will be the establishment of an online Community of Practice (COP) for professionals and family members. The NIEI will co-host the IOD?s 11th annual Autism Summer Institute whose theme is ?Show Me the Evidence: Effective Strategies for Including Children and Youth with ASD in Natural Environments and General Education Classrooms Model Demonstration in Schools The NIEI aims to recruit twenty schools as national model demonstration sites. Lessons learned from these schools will be documented in procedural manuals for other schools to use and published in research articles to advance the field of education of students with autism and related disabilities. Based on work with the model demonstration sites, a film concept will be developed, highlighting effective practices for improving the membership, participation, and learning of students with autism and related disabilities in general education classrooms. Model Evaluation and Clinical Services Evaluation and consultation reports written by the SCDC will be used to engage with national partners to develop recommendations to the field for high-quality evaluation and clinical services that promote the participation in children and youth with ASDRD in natural environments and general education classrooms. Fifty individuals from a variety of national organizations will participate in a symposium to discuss principles and practices for conducting clinical evaluations and providing recommendations for including students in natural settings and general education classrooms. Research and Policy The NIEI will produce a white paper that describes the current ?state of the nation? with respect to inclusive education for students with ASDRD. Members of national stakeholder groups will participate in a ?think tank? to discuss the paper and to develop recommendations for future research and policy change.

inclusive education, professional development, autism

Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Education & Early Intervention, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Leadership

Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups

National

Federal

N/A