Autism

• Autism Coordinator:   Gwen Riley
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst:  Tara Boland
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst: Samantha Sellars
• Autism Specialist: Alba Pineda
• School Psychologist: Catherine Myers
• School Psychologist: Sunday Hendricks
• Lead Autism Behavior Intervention Assistant: Diana Bloom
• Lead Autism Behavior Intervention Assistant: Lyndsie Upton
• Lead Autism Behavior Intervention Assistant: Claudia Abad

The Temecula Valley USD offers an array of supports and programs for students on the Autism Spectrum.  The Autism team partners with both CAPTAIN and the Region 10 Autism Committee to ensure that TVUSD’s Autism supports and programs align with evidence-based practices in the field.  

In the educational setting, students with an educational classification of Autism have access to all available direct and related services, based on their individual areas of need and agreed upon IEP.  Additional support may be provided by the Autism Department as deemed appropriate by the IEP team and can include, but is not limited to, observation, assessment, direct service, and several types of consultation/ collaboration which may involve staff training.  The TVUSD Autism Team prides itself in supporting service delivery that is data-driven and evidence-based.

Students with an educational classification of Autism are served throughout the District’s various programs from General Education to separate classroom settings.  However, TVUSD has developed several programs that are specifically designed to support students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, as follows:

• Structured Teaching Environments Promoting Student Success (STEPSS)
  The STEPSS program is geared towards serving students within the K-12 continuum.  The program is based upon the provision of a highly structured center for learning, which incorporates the use of evidence-based practices as outlined in the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders’ criteria for research-based intervention.  STEPSS staff and service providers utilize an integrated model of instructional strategies and practices that are evidenced-based, for students requiring an intensive-level of intervention, within a separate classroom environment. Instructional strategies focus on behavior reduction and skill acquisition using the foundations of applied behavior analysis (including systematic prompting procedures, chaining, shaping, fading, and reinforcement schedules/procedures), coupled with varied evidence-based practices.  These strategies are targeted at improving student communication, social skills, behavioral regulation, sensory integration, adaptive/daily living, and functional academic and social skills.  Implementation of these strategies are paired with systems for data collection and analysis, in order to monitor for efficacy. 
   
• Linking Emerging Adults Preparing for Success (LEAPS)
  The LEAPS program is geared towards serving students within the 18-22 age group, and is focused on preparing students for post-school transition.  The program is based upon the provision of a highly structured center for learning, which incorporates the use of evidence-based practices as outlined in the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders’ criteria for research-based intervention.  LEAPS staff and service providers utilize an integrated model of instructional strategies and practices that are evidenced-based, for students requiring an intensive-level of intervention, within a separate classroom environment.  Instructional strategies focus on behavior reduction and skill acquisition using the foundations of applied behavior analysis (including systematic prompting procedures, chaining, shaping, fading, and reinforcement schedules/procedures), coupled with varied evidence-based practices.  These strategies are targeted at improving student communication, social skills, behavioral regulation, sensory integration, adaptive/daily living, and  functional academic and vocational skills.  Implementation of these strategies are paired with systems for data collection and analysis, in order to monitor for efficacy.  
   
• Building Lives of Opportunity and Motivation (BLOOM)
  The BLOOM Academy is a program geared towards serving students within the 6-12 continuum.  The BLOOM Academy was designed to meet the needs of those students participating in an academic course of study, and who demonstrate characteristics of Autism and/or related disorders with low support needs.  The program is based upon the provision of highly-structured supports with a focus on explicit instruction in social skills, social communication, self-management, and executive functioning skills within a separate classroom environment, paired with systematic and supported opportunities for generalization within multiple naturalistic environments.  Instructional strategies focus on behavior reduction and skill acquisition using the foundations of applied behavior analysis (including systematic prompting procedures, chaining, shaping, fading, and reinforcement schedules/procedures), coupled with varied evidence-based practices and explicit instruction in social skills, social communication, self-management, and executive functioning.  Implementation of these strategies are paired with systems for data collection and analysis, in order to monitor for efficacy and are applied in such a way that opportunities for generalization of skills are maximized.  Staff is specially trained in the facilitation of social skills and communication in addition to supported de-escalation strategies.

• CAPTAIN - California Autism Professional Training and Information Network - a statewide training and technical assistance network focused on promoting the acceptance, support and quality of life for individuals on the Autism spectrum, that is inclusive of partner agencies who will work collaboratively so that individuals on the Autism spectrum and their families can benefit from effective services, supports and resources.
• Autism Society - Mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.
• Autism Focused Intervention Resources & 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 on the spectrum from birth to 22 years of age. 
• Acronyms in Special Education - Special Education acronyms are abbreviations used in the field of special education. These acronyms help streamline communication and documentation with the special education process.
• High Quality IEPs Project (HQ IEPs) - serves families and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across California by providing training and resources to support meaningful engagement in the Individual Education Program (IEP) process.
• Parents Helping Parents - Assists families with issues around autism, adhd, and learning differences, chronic illness, mental health challenges, developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and more.
• Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) - is a research and treatment center focused on advancing understanding and improving outcomes for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing - Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents.
• Everyday Parenting: Praise Technique - Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents.
• Monarch Center for Autism Webinars - Monarch Center for Autism offers numerous educational opportunities for the autism community to include free webinars and training sessions.