Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly visible and prevalent. The numbers of children with ASD receiving services has created a pressing need for research, information, resources, and professional development about effective practices and approaches. Here are some current and evolving resources to use or share with families, colleagues, and administrators.
New Repository for Evidence-Based Practices 
The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute has launched the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice , a project to expand the pipeline for translating the research into practices that teachers and other service providers can use to support children and youth with ASD. Visit the Clearinghouse to follow progress or click here to learn more. 
Learn the Signs of Autism
The Autism Speaks website offers information and resources to assist families and professionals with the screening process for children exhibiting signs of autism spectrum disorder, as well as strategies for handling a new diagnosis. The Learn the Signs page starts with an animated video, and includes tools like the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), a Video Glossary of ASD resources, and more.
Family Implemented TEACCH for Toddlers (FITT)
FITT is a collaborative parent education and support model designed to help families better understand and engage with their toddler with ASD. Based on and adapted from the TEACCH model, FITT uses Structured TEACCHing strategies to facilitate the communication and play skills of toddlers. The FITT website includes a module to help early interventionists learn more about using FITT with the families and toddlers they support. 
Paul Brookes Resource Library: Autism
Visit this section of the online Resource Library to find articles, checklists, videos, and many other free and downloadable resources for supporting children on the spectrum and their families. For example, there’s a video of Paula Kluth offering positive behavior support strategies for managing an inclusive classroom as alternatives to a consequences-and-rewards system. The library is searchable by age, topic, and type of resource. 
Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM)
AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice (EBP) with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age. Each module includes key components of an EBP including the various approaches that can be used with learners with ASD, behaviors and skills that can be addressed using the practice, a step-by-step process for applying the practice, and specific resources that you can download and customize for your own use.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center – Autism Spectrum Disorders
Looking for a place to find current prevalence data, federal resources, professional development options, and other information? Look here. http://ectacenter.org/topics/autism/autism.asp
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