Title
Innovations in Behavioral Intervention Preparation for Paraprofessionals Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
UMMS Affiliation
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center; Shriver Center
Publication Date
2015-01-01
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Mental Disorders | Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychology | Special Education and Teaching
Abstract
Given the empirically validated success of behavioral intervention based on applied behavior analysis for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, the demand for knowledgeable and skilled paraprofessional teaching staff is very high. Unfortunately, there currently exists a widely recognized shortage of such practitioners. This article describes the development of an online training program aimed at preparing paraprofessionals for face-to-face training and supervision as part of a solution to the growing demand. The focus of the program has been on moving beyond traditional online pedagogy, which has limited interactivity. Instead, the approach to teaching fundamental knowledge and implementation skills in behavioral intervention methods incorporates first-person simulations, typical of live mentor/mentee training. Preliminary program evaluation data are also described.
Source
Serna, R. W., Lobo, H. E., Fleming, C. K., Fleming, R. K., Curtin, C., Foran, M. M., & Hamad, C. D. (2015). Innovations in Behavioral Intervention Preparation for Paraprofessionals Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Special Education Technology, 30(1). PMCID:NIHMS604362
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of Special Education Technology
Repository Citation
Serna RW, Lobo HE, Fleming CK, Curtin C, Foran MM, Hamad CD. (2015). Innovations in Behavioral Intervention Preparation for Paraprofessionals Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center Publications. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/iddrc_pubs/32