The curriculum has been developed to ensure that the principles of ABA are embedded throughout.  The course will focus on the significance of the TA in a student’s success.  Participants will work towards a process of critical observation and critical thinking. Areas  of instruction and focus are: 

• Social Communication including expressive and receptive language and social understanding/hidden curriculum 
• Regulation including sensory processing and anxiety
• Cognition and information processing including learning differences and learning styles.    

This course will be presented using adult learning techniques such as interactive  learning, sharing of experiences and working through case studies. Participants will be  provided with resources and strategies in each of the areas.     

There is an expectation that participants in this training have a basic level of understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) received through school board in-service, School Support  Program training, or other training opportunities.   For those who require an introduction to ASD prior to beginning the 2-day onsite training,  please visit E-Learning at http://www.elearning.autism.net/ 

The course will be offered over 2 days. Feedback and experience indicate that 2 consecutive days are best for participants receiving this training.  We will however, work with school boards/authorities to utilize training days as requested.  The training will be delivered using the principles of effective adult education.   

This course is designed for a maximum of fifty participants in order to facilitate  interactive learning and group discussion. The expectation is that that the fifty participants will complete both days of the course.   

Teachers’ assistants may participate in an elective evaluation process that would enable them to receive a certificate of achievement.  

Electives are additional training opportunities available to TAs who have taken the 2-day curriculum.  Electives include but not limited to the following:

Intensive Instructional Supports:  Applied Behaviour Analysis in the Classroom 
This full day workshop will define the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and provides everyday examples of how ABA can be used in school settings to teach new skills and support individuals with ASD.

Inclusion and Peer Awareness
This half day session addresses the philosophical considerations of inclusion and identifies strategies, such as peer awareness, which facilitate the inclusion of students with ASD.  Participants will be provided the opportunity to examine the role they play in inclusion when supporting individuals with ASD.

Sexuality
This is a half day training session that will address the underlying characteristics of ASD as they relate to sexuality and provide participants with strategies and resources for supporting learners with ASD.  Topics related to privacy, relationships and personal safety are also addressed.

Positive Behaviour Supports
This workshop is offered as either a full day session or half day session to participants and describes the components Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBS).  Participants will become familiar with the functions of behaviour and  the strategies for addressing challenging behaviour and teaching new skills based upon the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.  It is recommended that participants attend the full day workshop "Intensive Instructional Supports:  Applied Behaviour Analysis in the Classroom" prior to attending the PBS elective.

Supporting Curriculum Modifications
This half day training session covers the topics of Accommodations, Modifications and Differentiated Instruction as they pertain to students with ASD.  Strategies and considerations for supporting the unique learning styles of students with ASD will be highlighted throughout the session. 

Alternative Learning Expectations
This half day training elective outlines alternative learning expectations that may be implemented for students with ASD that fall outside of the regular Ontario Curriculum.  Participants will become familiar with practical strategies for developing social skills, functional life skills and self-care skills and how to support students in meeting these goals in the school environment.

Skills for Moving Toward Independence
This full day training will provide participants with techniques and strategies for teaching a variety of skills within a “Life Skills Framework” to students with ASD.  Implementing the components of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and the use of visuals when assisting students with ASDD in moving toward independence will be highlighted throughout this workshop.

Literacy and Numeracy Skill Development
This full day training session will address strategies that focus on student strengths to develop word recognition skills, reading and comprehension skills, writing and composition and the hierarchy of skill development in mathematics.  The use of technology to support literacy and numeracy skills development will also be discussed throughout the session.

The Centre’s E-Learning website will provide online access to continuing education on ASD and practical teaching strategies.

This follow-up survey is for TAs/EAs who completed the two-day training session "The Journey From Survival to Success". 

This survey was developed to give TAs/EAs an opportunity to give feedback on the applicability, relevance and usefulness of the training to their role in the classroom. 

Please click here to complete the English version of the survey.

Please click here to complete the French version of the survey.