Jessica Dykstra Steinbrenner

The purpose of this project is to conduct a pilot study to test the promise of the AFIRM (Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules) for Paraeducators (AFP) program for increasing the use and fidelity of evidence-based practices (EBPs) among paraeducators and the goal attainment of elementary-aged students with autism. The increases in the prevalence of autism diagnoses and the number of paraeducators providing instruction in special education has created a need for preparing t...

The purpose of this efficacy study is to evaluate the comparative efficacy of two interventions for middle school students on the autism spectrum. Students with autism have challenges related to social skills and executive functioning that impact educational outcomes, yet there is limited evidence about effective school-based programs addressing these core areas of need for pre-adolescents with autism. The proposed study will address this need by evaluating an intervention that targets socia...

This project aims to develop and test an adapted professional development (PD) model to be used with the Advancing Social-communication And Play (ASAP) intervention, which is an intervention that focuses on improving early social communication and play skills of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that current PD models may not sufficiently improve educator practice and student outcomes or lead to sustained implementation. To address this, the project wi...

The purpose of this project is to determine the longer-term outcomes for high school students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who participated in an efficacy study of a comprehensive treatment model developed by the IES-funded Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA). Compared to other high school students with disabilities, students with ASD have significantly more difficulty with daily living activities, a lower sense of self direction, fewer p...