Virginia Early Intervention Professional Development Center

JLARC Resources
These resources relate to the JLARC assessment of services for children and adults with ASD in Virginia.

Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Organizational Information (PDF)

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Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Families  (PDF)
Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia Guidance Document (Jan 2012)

This Virginia early intervention guidance document provides information for families and service providers about:

• Early signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• Virginia's early intervention process
• Referring young children for further diagnostic testing
• Virginia early intervention supports and services
• Evidence-based practices for working with young children with ASD
• Screening & diagnostic tools for toddlers with ASD, and
• Information on focused practices and comprehensive intervention models

This guidance document was developed as a collaborative effort of the VA Dept. of Behavior Health and Developmental Services, Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU, Virginia Dept. of Education, Commonwealth Autism Service, the ARC of Virginia, and local Part C early intervention providers.

Download a 2-page summary document to share with physicians, child care providers, and other referral sources.

Handouts and Documents

National Autism Center  (external website)

The National Autism Center is the May Institute’s center for the promotion of evidence-based practice. Their latest publication for parents is available as a free download. Click on the Parent Guide link, enter your information, and then you will be given access to the booklet.

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Booklist of Autism Resources (PDF)
Valley CoPA

This 4-page booklist contains the titles, authors, and descriptions of print resources related to ASD.

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The Donovan Family Case Study: Guidance and Coaching on Evidence-based Practices for Infants and Toddlers with ASD (external website)
National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of this case study is to describe the coaching process in the context of early intervention and to outline two parallel coaching processes. This case study provides a description of how an early intervention provider, Jillian, supports the Donovan family through coaching on the use of evidence-based practices with their two-year-old son, Joey, who has autism.

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Concerns about Autism: Talking with Families (PDF)
Adapted by VA Community of Practice in Autism (CoPA)

This handout provides EI practitioners with guidance for how to talk to families about autism spectrum disorders under two common circumstances: when the practitioner has a concern and when the parent expresses a concern. This handout was adapted with permission from a similar resource from the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early Campaign.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Autism (external website)
Laura Shulman, M.D.
US News Health

This article, written by a developmental and behavioral pediatrician specializing in autism spectrum disorder, describes 10 important pieces of advice the author suggests that people remember about children with autism.

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What It's Like to Have Autism (external website)
R. Morgan Griffin

This article provides information for caregivers to help them understand and cope with the symptoms of autism.

eLearning

Autism Internet Modules (AIM) (external website)

The autism internet modules are written by experts in the field of autism are available for free, and cover a wide array of topics focusing on interventions for children and adults with ASD.

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Autism Learning Paths

Visit the Learning Paths page for information about two autism learning paths that include online modules/courses, videos, articles, and links to websites which can be viewed to earn a certificate documenting professional development (PD) hours. You can also link directly to each path here:
Autism Learning Path #1: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? (8 PD hours)
Autism Learning Path #2: Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (3.5 PD hours)

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Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (external website)
VCU Autism Center for Excellence

This self-paced course will provide participants with an understanding of the primary characteristics of ASD, which include impairments in communication and social development and the presence of repetitive patterns of behavior as well as sensory processing issues. Secondary characteristics, including executive dysfunction, imitation, sequencing, and motor deficits as well as common co-morbid conditions will also be explored. The course will discuss the myths and facts surrounding ASD as well as the supports and services available to those with ASD and their families. The course will also provide an overview of the history, cause, and early signs of ASD as well as discuss the importance of understanding and utilizing strengths and interests. This course will also examine ASD throughout the lifespan.

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VCU Autism Center for Excellence (ACE) (external website)
On the VCU-ACE website you will find lots of resources related to supporting individuals with autism, including free monthly webcasts, online courses, resource materials available through the Virginia Autism Resource Center, etc.

• Access free archived webcasts on a variety of topics related to young children with autism spectrum disorder, including sensory, communication, and social-emotional development. When you reach the page, scroll down for access to the webcasts.
  
  
• Access free online courses such as the Foundations in Autism Spectrum Disorders course. This course provides participants with an understanding of characteristics of ASD, the impact ASD has on the person and family unit, and an overview of learning styles, history, cause, and early signs of ASD.

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Webinars

Check Them Out: Great Resources to Support Infants and Toddlers with ASD and their Families 
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative  | Partnership for People with Disabilities 
Presented by Deana Buck and Dana Childress 

This webinar provides information about a variety of resources related to supporting families of infants and toddlers with or who are suspected of having ASD. The CDC Act Early Campaign is highlighted, as well as the document, Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their Families: Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia Guidance Document. 

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Neurotypical Brain Development: "How Different Is It from Autism, ADHD, Language Delay, etc.?"
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative | Partnership for People with Disabilities
Presented by John W. Harrington, MD

In this webinar, you will learn about typical developmental of the human brain and how it differs in children subsequently diagnosed with autism. Understanding this development will better provide you with clues into strategies that we can provide to support families of children with autism and possibly improve the overall developmental trajectory.

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Using BCBAs as Providers of Developmental Services
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative | Partnership for People with Disabilities
Presented by Catherine Hancock, Selena Layden, Carol Burke, and Cori Hill

During this web discussion, information is provided about how Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) can provide developmental services. Click the link above to visit the 2016 Talks on Tuesdays Archive and scroll down until you find the webinar.

 

Learning Bytes about Autism

Learning bytes are brief learning activities that supervisors, faculty, or other leaders can use to facilitate professional development with staff and students. These activities are designed to be of short duration and include instructions, handouts, links, worksheets and answer keys (as needed) to help you facilitate the activity with small or large groups. The learning bytes below focus on topics related to supporting families of young children with (or who are suspected of having) autism spectrum disorder. Visit the Learning Bytes page to review or download the learning bytes or look for additional activities.

• Handy Dandy Autism Resources
• Prematurity and Autism Pop Quiz
• Supporting Caregivers to Engage their Toddlers with Autism

Bringing the Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders Into Focus (YouTube, video)
Center for Autism and Related Disorders – Kennedy Krieger Institute

This free online video tutorial was developed to help pediatricians, parents, and EI providers recognize the early signs of ASD in one-year-old children. The video is 9-minutes long and consists of 6 video clips comparing toddlers with early signs of ASD with toddlers who do not show signs of ASD.

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