Mission Statement
The mission of the HANDS in Autism Program is to continually evolve a model system of training that will facilitate the development of local capacity within schools, districts, and communities in serving individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of this model is to continually build on the existing foundation of knowledge and services to provide increasing levels of development and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Such services are based the individual’s needs and abilities as well as stage of transition and lifespan development. We ultimately wish to enable caregivers and service providers to become self-sufficient within their own communities by developing local specialists equipped to address the multiple issues associated with serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
This mission will be accomplished by achieving two primary goals: 1) bridging across multiple environments (educational, medical/clinical, and home/community) to establish a common language and collaborate in creating comprehensive, proactive programming across multiple settings; and 2) training professionals to provide individualized programming based on best practices and data-driven decision making. The first goal will be achieved through a variety of activities. We will improve communication between educational professionals, medical/clinical professionals, parents/caregivers, and their community members by increasing liaison and collaborative efforts. Additionally, we will present results of our research and disseminate outreach materials throughout the nation. The second goal will be met through a layered approach to information dissemination and training, including a variety of informational materials, hands-on workshops, our week-long summer training program, program-wide consultation, and our collaborative classrooms embedded within local schools.
