Project Activities
Structured Abstract
Setting
Sample
Research design and methods
Control condition
Key measures
Data analytic strategy
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Products and publications
Products: The expected outcomes from this study include evidence on the effects of the Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research Program and a typical service classroom model on a wide range of developmental skills for children ages 5-8 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, published reports, and presentations.
Journal article, monograph, or newsletter
Azad, G. F., Locke, J., Downey, M. M., Xie, M., and Mandell, D. S. (2015). One-to-One Assistant Engagement in Autism Support Classrooms. Teacher Education and Special Education, 38(4): 337-346. doi:10.1177/0888406415603208 Full text
Azad, G., Mandell, D. S. (2016). Concerns of Parents and Teachers of Children with Autism in Elementary School. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 20(4): 435-441. doi:10.1177/1362361315588199 Full text
Dingfelder, H.E., and Mandell, D.S. (2011). Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap in Autism Intervention: An Application of Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5): 597-609. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1081-0
Kratz, H.E., Locke, J., Piotrowski, Z., Ouellette, R.R., Xie, M., Stahmer, A.C., and Mandell, D.S. (2015). All Together Now: Measuring Staff Cohesion in Special Education Classrooms. Journal of School Psychology, 33(4): 329-338. doi:10.1177/0734282914554853
Locke J, Wolk CB, Harker C, Olsen A, Shingledecker T, Barg F, Mandell DS, and Beidas R. (2016). Pebbles, Rocks, and Boulders: The Implementation of a School-Based Social Engagement Intervention for Children with Autism. Autism. doi:10.1177/1362361316664474
Locke, J., Rotherham-Fuller, E., Xie, M., Harker, C., and Mandell D.S. (2014). Correlation of Cognitive and Social Outcomes Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Randomized Trial of Behavioral Intervention. Autism, 18(4): 370-375. doi:1362361313479181
Mandell D.S., Stahmer, A.C., Shin, S., Xie, M., Reisinger, E.M., and Marcus, S.C. (2013). The Role of Treatment Fidelity on Outcomes During a Randomized Trial of an Autism Intervention. Autism, 17(3): 281-295. doi:10.1177/1362361312473666
Nahmias, A.S., Kase, C., and Mandell, D.S. (2014). Comparing Cognitive Outcomes Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Receiving Community-Based Early Intervention in One of Three Placements. Autism, 18(3): 311-320. doi:10.1177/1362361312467865
Pellecchia, M., Connell, J., Kern, C., Xie, M., Marcus, S.C., and Mandell, D.S. (2015). Child Characteristics Associated With Outcome for Children With Autism in a School-Based Behavioral Intervention. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 20(3): 321-329. doi:10.1177/1362361315577518
Pellecchia, M., Connell, J.E., Beidas, R.S., Xie, M., Marcus, S.C., and Mandell D.S. (2015). Dismantling the Active Ingredients of an Intervention for Children With Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9): 2917-2927. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2455-0
Stahmer A.C., Rieth, S., Lee, E., Reisinger, E., Connell, J.E., and Mandell, D.S. (2015). Training Teachers to Use Evidence-Based Practices for Autism: Examining Procedural Implementation Fidelity. Psychology in the Schools, 52(2): 181-195. doi:10.1002/pits.21815
Suhrheinrich, J., Stahmer, A.C., Reed, S., Schreibman, L., Reisinger, E., and Mandell, D. (2013). Implementation Challenges in Translating Pivotal Response Training into Community Settings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(12): 2970-2976. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1826-7 Full text
Supplemental information
To address this need, researchers are evaluating the Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research Program. The individual components of the intervention are evidence based but rigorous evidence of the efficacy of the entire program is limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research Program compared to a typical classroom service model serving children with autism spectrum disorders. Whether the program can be maintained once training support is removed will also be explored. The researchers are including key outcomes related to the learning and development of young children with autism and exploring factors that may moderate outcomes. The project will also address whether length of teacher training affects child outcomes and program sustainability.
Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research Program is a fully developed, manualized program for children with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Program materials include detailed lesson plans, teaching materials, and forms and instructions for choosing curriculum content and measuring progress. The program uses discrete trial training as a teaching strategy for curriculum content related to receptive language and academic skills, pivotal response training to teach expressive language and play and social skills and functional routines to teach independence in daily routines. There are three levels of instruction to meet the needs of children at different developmental stages and combines one-to-one interactions between staff and students with group activities to enhance communication and socialization.
Structured teaching and life skills curriculum is a combined approach of maximizing the learning environment as well as teaching critical life skills. In structured teaching, tasks and materials are systematically presented. Tasks are composed of making students aware of work to be conducted, the amount of work needed to complete the work, and the goals. Prompts and reinforcements are used during instruction. Visual instruction and organization are integrated into teaching methods to highlight specific tasks, information and concepts. The environment is organized to help students learn to organize their work and make clear progress with the tasks. The life skills curriculum teaches students to apply academic skills at home and in the community as well as teaches personal, domestic, and leisure skills.
Questions about this project?
To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
