Implementation of a statewide autism training program: Effects on trainee knowledge and skill acquisition.

Abstract

There is a well-documented lack of service providers trained to provide early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) to the growing number of families who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although several states have begun offering service providers EIBI training to increase local capacity to provide EIBI services, there is limited information about how these programs are implemented at scale and their effect on trainees' knowledge and skill acquisition. This article describes the Autism Training Program (ATP), a training program implemented in a Midwestern state over 9.5 years. Three hundred fifteen trainees enrolled, consented, and completed both pre-and postknowledge and skill assessments. Assessments showed that trainees significantly increased their knowledge and implementation of EIBI procedures and reported high satisfaction with training. This model of training can be delivered within a shorter time frame with significant training effects for individuals working with children with ASD.

Moving from research to clinical care: Building therapist capacity to deliver the teen online problem-solving program for acquired brain injuries in adolescence.

“…One alternative would be to replace or supplement live trainings with self-paced online modules paired with interactive components (e.g., quizzes, videos) to test trainee knowledge and practice skills. There is evidence of the effectiveness of a combination approach (i.e., online tutorials followed by face-to-face training for application of knowledge) for implementing a statewide autism provider training program (Heitzman-Powell et al, 2022). Further, the “train the trainer” model (Pearce et al, 2012), in which a clinician at each site is trained to facilitate the therapist training to clinicians at their site, may lead to a more efficient training process.…”