Groundbreaking online video training program launched to help equip those supporting individuals with autism

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A new online, video training program will ensure families and providers develop a range of skills and techniques to guide their work and support of individuals on the autism spectrum. ASD Strategies in Action provides practical information and skills, demonstrated through real-life settings in the home, school, community, and workplace, to help everyone who interacts with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

"This program – the first of its kind – will educate and empower families, caregivers, service providers, educators, and employers with research-based practices for supporting individuals with ASD," said Shawn Henry, Executive Director at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI). "If we can better equip parents and providers with practical strategies they can use on a daily basis, we can ensure families and individuals have a high quality of life."

The program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners and busy families by providing anytime, anywhere learning opportunities. Developed in consultation with a blue-ribbon panel of internationally renowned experts, the program incorporates multiple research-based approaches.

Learning modules are available through a custom-designed, online, mobile-friendly platform. Content is organized by strategy and age range – from early childhood to young adulthood – which users are able to access and complete at their own time and pace. While practitioners will have the option to earn professional development hours and a certificate the program is designed so that every user can gain knowledge and implement the skills learned immediately.

"The format, structure, and pacing are specifically designed to provide everyone – from experienced practitioners to those who are just starting to learn about autism spectrum disorder – with a comprehensive, flexible, and impactful learning experience," said John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The program was funded under the leadership of DODD in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and the Governor's Office of Health Transformation. It will continue to innovate and expand through a variety of state and national partnerships and value-added services.

The training is free to all Ohioans, and available on a paid subscription basis in other states and countries, impacting millions across the globe. For more information, visit www.autismcertificationcenter.org.

Resources

• What is autism spectrum disorder?
• Preview ASD Strategies in Action
• Quality Lives: Ohio Autism Recommendations

SOURCE Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence

Related Links

http://www.ocali.org