Participants will learn the techniques of discrete trial training, pivotal response training and teaching functional routines. Participants will receive examples of the STAR Autism Program lesson plans at each instructional level in order to practice their skills in implementing the program. The workshop content will include the following:
*An overview of the three instructional methods (discrete trial, pivotal response training and functional routines) and how they are used in combination to form the STAR Autism Program
*A comprehensive "how to" training on the use of discrete trial training
*An introduction on how to implement pivotal response training
*An introduction on how to implement functional routines
* Workshop topics will include the use of a powerpoint lecture, video examples, presenter demonstration and participant "hands-on" practice
The STAR Autism Program can be used to teach children with autism the critical skills identified by the 2001 National Research Council. The ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) instructional methods of discrete trial training, pivotal response training and functional routines from the instructional base of this comprehensive program for children with autism. The methods of discrete trial training and pivotal response training were designated as the only methods that meet the criteria for scientifically-based methods under No Child Left Behind for teaching children with autism in a recent article in the journal Focus on Autism and other Developmentally Delayed (Simpson, 2005).
The STAR Autism Program has been shown to be effectively implemented by public school early childhood and elementary level teachers, related service staff and instructional assistants in the recent literature (Arick, et. al. 2003). The STAR Autism Program has been used to provide intensive instruction in critical skills for children with autism in both self-contained programs and inclusive education programs.