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Sit for Autism. Developed by The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders Southern Connecticut State University Ruth Eren, Ed.D . Director. As a result of attending this session, participants will:.
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Sit for Autism Developed by The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders Southern Connecticut State University Ruth Eren, Ed.D. Director
As a result of attending this session, participants will: • Be able to describe how a training program was developed to serve families in Connecticut who needed babysitters with the important knowledge and skills required when sitting for a child on the spectrum • Gain knowledge of statewide expansion of Sit for Autism training through collaboration with the CMHI sites
Who Are We???? • Southern Connecticut State University • Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Our mission: To serve as a resource and collaborative partner by developing, validating, and delivering innovative training, services and technical assistance to teachers, other school based personnel, families and community service providers in the use of evidenced-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the state of Connecticut.
How It All Began………. • Graduate Program at SCSU: Masters Degree in Special Education with a Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities • Graduate student initiative: Mrs. Kimberly Bean • Further developed and refined by: Ruth Eren, Ed.D. Barbara Cook, M.S. SLP-CCC , Karen Meers, Ph.D.-BCBA
What is “Sit For Autism”? • Two-hour training program for parents, family members, babysitters who care for individuals with ASD • Purpose: To increase knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of ASD • Purpose: Teach 5 evidenced-based strategies that might be helpful when caring for an individual with ASD • Purpose: Share specific materials for use in the home when caring for an individual with ASD
“Sit” Topics • Characteristics of children with ASD: strengths and challenges • “Sit Kit” • Strategies and supports to increase engagement with a child with ASD • Strategies and supports to reduce anxiety in a child with ASD
Launching “Sit” into the Community • CMHI sites in Connecticut • Agency contacts • Dissemination of promotional materials/flyers • Registration
Evaluation of Training • Pre/post training questionnaire • Participants rated their knowledge/confidence on 13 questions using a 5 point scale • 1 (no knowledge/confidence) ------5 (complete knowledge/confidence)
Results: Table 2. Comparison of Pre and Post Mean Knowledge, Confidence Score by Item (n=69)
Next Steps • One more year of grant funding • 10 more “Sit” trainings in state • Measure the effect of training after 6 months • Pursue new funding opportunities to continue
Sincere Thanks to sponsors of the Autism State Implementation Grant: CT Department of Public Health University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities