Using a Hybrid Model to Prepare Special Educators to Teach Students Identified with ASD

Abstract

This paper describes a hybrid graduate study program used to train special educators to use research-based interventions with students on the autism spectrum (ASD) and provides satisfaction data from both graduate students and instructors. The program consisted of five courses leading to a graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Each course included a combination of face-to-face, asynchronous online, and synchronous online instruction. Special education teachers from several different school districts across the state participated. The purpose of describing this program model (including the coursework, instructional formats, and feedback from the special educators who completed the program and the instructors who taught the courses) is to assist others in creating similar programs as the numbers of children identified with ASD increase dramatically. More children identified with ASD are going to need more educators who are trained to teach them effectively.