HANDS in Autism Training - Core Training Curriculum

This house is a visual representation of the core curriculum of the HANDS in Autism training model. It does not completely capture the complexities or depth of individualizing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders, but it does demonstrate many of the elements which we feel are key to this process. While the exterior of each child's instruction should be unique, there are key elements to providing instruction that is individualized, appropriate, and effective. The foundation of each house is the environment, including both physical and visual elements. The remaining four elements - two walls and each side of the roof - represent the typical process of individualizing instruction for each student. The process is not linear, thus the arrows point in each direction from any given structural element. Generally, the process of individualizing instruction begins with assessment, and including a variety of assessment types and functions. Only after assessing a student can goals be developed and written. These goals are the key to implementing ongoing data-driven decision making. With clearly and appropriately written goals, the focus now becomes teaching. Teaching incorporates a variety of techniques, skills, and strategies so that each student learns at their optimal pace and in their optimal style. Finally, skills are generalized beyond the teaching setting to other individuals, locations, times, and objects.