Autism Support Services: Education, Research, and Training
More Information
Project WebsiteProject Staff
- Kimberly Ashton
- Alison Betz
- Sarah Bloom
- Matt Brodhead
- Emily Clayton
- Brice Colby
- Elizabeth Dayton
- Nicole Dobson
- Bailee Goodell
- Camille Gregory
- Jared Gunnell
- Danielle M Hames
- Justine Henry
- Tom Higbee
- Staci Holdaway
- Kristen Kelley
- Alice Keyl
- Brooke Laursen
- Amanda Maughn
- Tanisha Mcomber
- Karissa Morris
- Lindsay Nix
- Emily Pitt
- Joy Pollard
- Brooke Rice
- Andrew Samaha
- Tyra Sellers
- Katie Snyder
- Tatum Winslow
- Camille Wynn
- Jessie Yarger
Project Details
Project Context:
The national increase in individuals identified as having autism spectrum disorders is also occurring in rural Utah. However, intensive treatment programs are limited, especially in the northern area of the state.
Project Focus & Services:
The Autism Support Services: Education, Research, and Training (ASSERT) Program is a collaborative effort of the Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation and the Center for Persons with Disabilities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Utah State University.
ASSERT provides services to preschool children with autism and to their families.
ASSERT has a three-fold mission:
1. Education: Provide effective educational and behavioral early intervention using research-based best practices.
2. Research: Conduct research to improve educational and behavioral interventions for children with autism.
3. Training: Serve as a model training classroom for USU pre-service special education teachers and provide training opportunities for other educational professionals throughout the state of Utah who are interested in learning to work effectively with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.
ASSERT's primary focus is to promote the development of critical communication and social skills so that children will succeed in inclusive school classrooms. Intervention procedures are evidence-based, derived from research in applied behavior analysis, and incorporate validated curriculum materials.
FY 09 Focus:
Eight preschoolers with autism currently participate and two 'graduated' earlier in this fiscal year. One of those children is in a fully inclusive public school classroom. Thirty-eight percent of prior'graduates' since the program began continue to be served in general education classrooms.
This year six USU graduate students and approximately 20 undergraduates will learn through experience to implement services and conduct research on autism. Eight studies to improve intervention techniques are currently in progress.
