Sit for AutismDeveloped by

The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Southern Connecticut State University

Ruth Eren, Ed.D.

Director

As a result of attending this session, participants will:

Be able to describe how a training program was developed to serve families in Connecticut who needed babysitters with the important knowledge and skills required when sitting for a child on the spectrum

Gain knowledge of statewide expansion of Sit for Autism training through collaboration with the CMHI sites

Who Are We????

Southern Connecticut State University

Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders:

Our mission: To serve as a resource and collaborative partner by developing, validating, and delivering innovative training, services and technical assistance to teachers, other school based personnel, families and community service providers in the use of evidenced-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the state of Connecticut.

How It All Began……….

Graduate Program at SCSU: Masters Degree in Special Education with a Concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities

Graduate student initiative: Mrs. Kimberly Bean

Further developed and refined by: Ruth Eren, Ed.D. Barbara Cook, M.S. SLP-CCC , Karen Meers, Ph.D.-BCBA

What is “Sit For Autism”?

Two-hour training program for parents, family members, babysitters who care for individuals with ASD

Purpose: To increase knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of ASD

Purpose: Teach 5 evidenced-based strategies that might be helpful when caring for an individual with ASD

Purpose: Share specific materials for use in the home when caring for an individual with ASD

“Sit” Topics

Characteristics of children with ASD: strengths and challenges

“Sit Kit”

Strategies and supports to increase engagement with a child with ASD

Strategies and supports to reduce anxiety in a child with ASD

Launching “Sit” into the Community

CMHI sites in Connecticut

Agency contacts

Dissemination of promotional materials/flyers

Registration

Evaluation of Training

Pre/post training questionnaire

Participants rated their knowledge/confidence on 13 questions using a 5 point scale

1 (no knowledge/confidence) ------5 (complete knowledge/confidence)

Results: Table 1. Satisfaction survey

Item Yes No Not

SureN/A

Do you feel more comfortable babysitting for a child with ASD 94% - - 6%

Do you feel more comfortable with this babysitter’s ability to care for your child? 60% 2% 6% 33%

Would you recommend this course to others? 100% - - -

Did this course provide enough general information? 100% - - -

Do you think the Sit Kit is useful 98.5% - 1.5% -

  Highly Satisfied Satisfied

Your overall satisfaction? 82% 18%

Results: Table 2. Comparison of Pre and Post Mean Knowledge, Confidence Score by Item (n=69)

About the Presentation: Pre Post

Defining autism spectrum disorders 2.8 3.8

Explaining the strengths of children with autism 2.7 3.9

Identifying the challenges of children with autism 2.9 3.9

Describing how children with autism might act, talk, play 3.1 4.0

Describing techniques to engage children with autism 2.6 3.9

Explaining ways to reduce anxiety in children with autism 2.4 3.9

Planning ahead to care for children with autism 2.6 4.1Choosing resources or tools to aid in the care of children with autism

2.4 3.8

Use a First-Then card 2.1 4.3

Use a visual schedule 2.7 4.3

Use a transition aid 2.1 4.0

Use a choice board 2.6 4.3

Use a babysitting preparation kit 1.9 4.3

Next Steps

One more year of grant funding

10 more “Sit” trainings in state

Measure the effect of training after 6 months

Pursue new funding opportunities to continue

Sincere Thanks to sponsors of the Autism State Implementation Grant:

CT Department of Public Health

University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities