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
Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1): An Overview for Educators
This module provides information on the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as an overview of the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination of ASD. Resources include notes on instructional considerations for teachers who have children and students with ASD in their classrooms, as well as things to keep in mind when working with the families of those children and students.
Publisher: IRIS Center, Vanderbilt University
Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 2): Evidence-Based Practices
This module highlights strategies that have been shown to be effective in teaching appropriate behaviors and skills and decreasing inappropriate behaviors with children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It next explores several strategies that are particularly effective with young children, elementary and middle school students, and high school students.
Publisher: IRIS Center, Vanderbilt University
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
EBP Brief Packet: Visual Supports
The various types of visual supports can be divided into three categories: visual boundaries,
visual cues, and visual schedules. The provided table gives an overview of the three categories,
samples of the types of visual supports associated with each category, a definition of the type,
and how the visual support might be used to address a skill or behavior.
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
Encircle Families
Collaboration between families and professionals results in the best possible outcomes for children with disabilities. Encircle Families is an Arizona nonprofit organization that provides free training and information to parents to help them understand their rights, roles, and responsibilities in their child’s health care and education. Training for pre-service and in-service professionals in education is available to improve collaboration between families and providers and achieve better results for children.
Publication Date: 2025
Publisher: Encircle Families
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
High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities
This revised and updated guide is relevant for general education and special education teachers. It includes four domains of evidence-based practices: Collaboration, Data-Driven Planning, Instruction in Behavior and Academics, and Intensify and Intervene As Needed. Each domain includes elementary and secondary examples of practice, research updates, and relevant resources for more information.
Publication Date: March 2024
Publishers: Council for Exceptional Children and CEEDAR Center
High-Leverage Practices Videos
These videos accompany High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities and provide revised and updated information supporting the four domains with High-Leverage Practices within each domain and concrete examples to anchor and reinforce both knowledge development and application.
Publisher: CEEDAR Center
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
Language and Communication Issues in Autism: Let’s Talk About Talking
Difficulties with language and communication are one of the defining features of autism. This webinar investigates language peculiarities and development in autism from the perspective of different sensory perceptual processes and cognitive styles.
Author: Olga Bogdashina
Publication Date: October 2025
Publisher: Autism Research Institute
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
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