Addressing the Need for Training More School Psychologists to Serve Toddlers and Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1007/s40688-022-00434-4; PMCID: PMC9590395
Abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen significantly in the past two decades. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of mental health providers who have specialized training in delivering evidenced-based services to this population. Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is an evidenced-based treatment recommended for toddlers with ASD, and school psychologists are uniquely positioned to help children with ASD receive it. However, many school psychologists do not receive adequate training in this subspecialty. This paper makes recommendations to school psychology training programs about how to add or improve training in this subspecialty based on the results of an Office of Special Education Programs grant-funded ASD training program which involved collaboration between a NASP-approved and APA-accredited school psychology training program and a community-based early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) clinic. The grant supported development of an interdisciplinary didactic and clinical training program to increase the ASD knowledge, skills, and competencies of school psychology graduate students, with the broader goals of developing a replicable training model and increasing the workforce of trained providers for this underserved population. Fifteen graduate students completed the training program. Outcomes related to trainee knowledge, skills, and competencies, trainee satisfaction, and lessons learned over time analyzed within a logic model that guided the project's development and execution can be informative for other school psychology programs undertaking training in this subspecialty.
Journal Title
Contemp Sch Psychol
Volume
28
First Page
241
Last Page
256
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorders; Early intervention; School psychology
Recommended Citation
Mathews, T.L., Daly, E., Kunz, G.M. et al. Addressing the Need for Training More School Psychologists to Serve Toddlers and Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Contemp School Psychol 28, 241–256 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-022-00434-4
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