University of Colorado, Denver

The purpose of this study is to explore factors (e.g., preschool center policies, staff buy-in, family involvement) that are related to teachers' initial and long-term fidelity of implementation of the LEAP Preschool Model (LEAP), an intensive, inclusive intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). One of the greatest challenges in the field of early intervention is closing the gap between what is known about effective instructional practices for preschool children and the...

Growing evidence shows extended clinical placements (residencies) support teacher candidate effectiveness, and states are increasingly requiring residencies for teacher preparation. Little is known, however, about the critical features of residency. Residency models vary widely in standards, approaches, and resources. Data on why and how models differ, or how candidates perform, is limited and often not comparable across programs. This project will (1) examine how and why the seven teacher r...

The purpose of this project is to assess the efficacy of LEAP-USA in achieving positive child and family outcomes as a model of intervention for young children with autism. The researchers intend to examine the differential effects on key outcomes resulting from high-fidelity implementation.