VCU Autism Training for Paraprofessionals
Autism Spectrum Disorder for Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective Instruction and Support
https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/courses/paraprofessionals.cfm

In response to the need for comprehensive training for individuals working with students with ASD in Virginia as well as House Bill 325 and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Training Standards for Paraprofessionals Assigned to Work with a Teacher Who Has Primary Oversight of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, VCU-ACE has developed online training opportunities for paraprofessionals. 

This course is designed to provide paraprofessionals with skills and knowledge needed to support students with an ASD in the school setting. The course will provide an overview of the potential roles and responsibilities the paraprofessional may be asked to deliver. Participants will learn how to carry out their responsibilities while maintaining respect for the students and exhibiting sensitivity to beliefs, values, and cultures. Teaming and communication with professionals and parents will also be highlighted. The course will provide participants with an overview of ASD including primary and secondary characteristics. Information regarding the development and implementation of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be discussed. Participants will gain knowledge of educational modifications, accommodations and educational strategies used to support students with ASD. A focus of the course will be on understanding interfering behaviors which students with ASD may demonstrate and effectively supporting the student to reduce these behaviors and increase positive skills.

A new section of the paraprofessional course runs monthly. Participants may register on the ACE website for any of the upcoming available sections. Participants have the entire month for which they registered to complete the online course. New sections open on the first week of the month and close on the last week of the month. You can register for the course any time for available sections, but you will not be able to access the course until the section for which you registered opens. For example, you may register in April for a section that begins in July. At the beginning of July, you would receive an e-mail with information about how to access the course. This course is estimated to require 20 contact hours to complete.

Course Information Contact: [email protected]
Technical Support:  Lucian Friel, 804-827-1434 or email: [email protected]