A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arizona
This infographic shows findings from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program to help understand more about the number of children with autism spectrum disorder, the characteristics of those children, and the age at which they are first evaluated and diagnosed.
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network
A Teacher’s Brief Guide to Teaching Students with High-Functioning Autism
Learn more about talents and challenges in children with high-functioning autism. Get tips on how to make your classroom welcoming and supportive, including lots of ideas for creating physical and instructional supports, and how to use specific interests to jumpstart learning adventures with other subjects.
Author: Susan Moreno
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: Indiana Resource Center for Autism
AFIRM
This website offers numerous AFIRM Modules designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice (EBP) with learners on the spectrum from birth to 22 years of age. Supplemental materials and handouts are available for download.
Publisher: University of North Carolina Frank Porter Graham Child
Development Institute, Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
Arizona Department of Education AT Short Term Loan Library
Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services works in partnership with Northern Arizona University Institute for Human Development Arizona Technology Access Program to make available at no cost, a wide variety of assistive technology devices, equipment, software and professional development materials to school personnel to improve access to assistive technology.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
Autism Factsheet (for Schools)
This factsheet provides information on what teachers should know about students with autism and how to support their learning in the classroom.
Publication Date: March 2021
Publisher: KidsHealth
EBP Brief Packet: Antecedent-Based Interventions
This packet includes all the resources and materials, as well as an overview and a brief description of strategies/types/procedures for this evidence-based practice.
Authors: Ann Sam and AFIRM Team
Publication Date: Updated 2024
Publisher: University of North Carolina Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
EBP Brief Packet: Augmentative & Alternative Communication
This packet describes augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), interventions that use a system of communication that is not verbal/vocal including aided and unaided communication systems. Methods of teaching AAC use are also included.
Authors: Sallie Nowell, Ann Sam, Victoria Waters, Rebecca Dees, and AFIRM Team
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: University of North Carolina Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
EBP Brief Packet: Functional Behavior Assessment
This assessment practice has been effective for early intervention (0-2 years), preschoolers (3-5 years), elementary school learners (6-11 years), middle school learners (12-14 years), high schoolers (15-18 years), and young adults (19-22 years) on the spectrum. It can be used to effectively address the following outcomes for a target goal/behavior/skill: academic/pre-academic, adaptive/self-help, behavior, cognitive, communication, and school readiness.
Authors: Ann Sam and AFIRM Team
Publication Date: Updated 2024
Publisher: University of North Carolina Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
This report identifies approaches that support autistic children and youth in being more independent and realizing outcomes that support their success. Programs can select practices that focus on specific learning goals, while building on identified strengths.
Authors: Jessica Steinbrenner, Kara Hume, Samuel Odom, Kristi Morin, Sallie Nowell, Brianne Tomaszewski, Susan Szendrey, Nancy McIntyre, Şerife Yücesoy-Özkan, and Melissa Savage
Publication Date: 2020
Publisher: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
Executive Functions (Part 1): Understanding Why Some Students Struggle
This module explores executive functions and explains why many students struggle with cognitive processes related to learning. It then examines why it's critical for teachers to explicitly teach these students when, where, and how to use effective study strategies to help them succeed academically.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University
Executive Functions (Part 2): Strategies to Improve Students’ Academic Performance
This companion to the Executive Functions (Part 1) module reiterates the importance of teachers providing explicit instruction to students with executive function difficulties on the use of effective strategies. It then overviews a number of these strategies: graphic organizers, note-taking, mnemonics, organizing materials, time management, comprehension strategies, and self-regulation strategies.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University
Externalizing Behavior Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
This presentation discusses externalizing behavior among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and a behavioral framework for how this behavior develops and persists over time. Descriptions are provided for how both the physical environment and others in the environment can play a role in these unmet needs. An overview of effective behavioral strategies that address these needs and set up the environment for long term success is included.
Author: Summer Bottini
Publication Date: June 2025
Publisher: Autism Research Institute
IDEA Disability Category Tip Sheet: Autism
This tip sheet defines autism under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), describes how autism may impact students, and shares strategies for success.
Publication Date: February 2025
Publisher: PROGRESS Center at the American Institutes for Research
Practical Teaching Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Literature
This literature review addresses the various challenges that students with autism face in educational environments due to their disorder. It also suggests practical social, behavioral, and academic strategies that teachers can implement within their classrooms to improve the performance and educational experiences of students with ASD.
Author: Jannelle Murray
Publication Date: 2015
Publisher: BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education
Selecting an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
This module provides a four-step process to select the most appropriate evidence-based practices (EBPs) for your learner. The four-step process includes: identifying the behavior, establishing an observable and measurable goal or outcome, identifying potential EBPs based on research (NCAEP Domain Matrix), and choosing a specific EBP.
Authors: Ann Sam, Victoria Waters, Rebecca Dees, and AFIRM Team
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
Teaching Children with Autism How to Communicate Their Wants and Needs
This presentation discusses how to reduce challenging behavior by determining the communicative “messages” of children's challenging behavior and teaching them to communicate the same message in a better way through a process known as Functional Communication Training (FCT).
Author: Lauren Moskowitz
Publication Date: May 2022
Publisher: Autism Research Institute
Visual Supports for Students with ASD
This article includes a collection of visual supports and other resources to help students with ASD be successful socially and academically in school. Templates are included for social rules, classroom rules, emotional support, and schedules.
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: Indiana Resource Center for Autism
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?
This article and video detail applied behavior analysis (ABA) as a therapy that has been shown to help kids with autism learn skills and lessen problematic behavior like hurting themselves. It includes a range of different approaches with how they work and how they are different.
Author: Juliann Garey
Publication Date: Updated November 2024
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
This article discusses the signs, symptoms, and treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Publication Date: Updated March 2022
Publisher: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention