Autism Circuit Academy

The Autism Circuit Academy endorsement is a visible sign of accomplishing the work you did to become skilled in the implementation of the evidence-based practices (EBPs) identified by the National Professional Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The paragraph on your endorsement states what you had to do to earn the endorsement and CEUs: watch multiple interactive webinars, provide evidence of implementation of each of the high-yield EBPs with students, and collaborate in a statewide professional learning community (PLC). The endorsement does not expand the scope of your profession, whatever it is, but does demonstrate your commitment and accomplishment in professional growth. The CEUs you earned from the Autism Circuit program are accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). It is not an accredited degree, and it is not a license or certificate from the state. The state of Texas does not issue any licenses or certificates for autism training. The Commissioner’s rule related to autism states that all educators working with a child with autism must be trained; however, TEA does not specify what kind of training or how much training an educator needs. Schools are responsible for training educators to effectively and appropriately implement programs for students with autism. A license or certificate is not required. Your endorsement from TSLAT and TEA is a visible sign that you are equipped to effectively and appropriately implement programs for students with autism.

Email AutismCircuit@esc13.txed.net. Indicate your full name, the program you completed, and which cohort you were a part of.

Contact Darcy Schiller at Darcy.Schiller@esc13.txed.net or call 512-919-5224

There are many online trainings about autism available. What makes the Autism Circuit Academy programs unique is the model of professional development (PD) that we use. Research shows that traditional models of PD, the sit-and-get model of workshops or webinars, are ineffective in getting educators to actually implement strategies that are taught; it is called the implementation gap. We have studied the research to learn ways to close that gap. 1) Effective PD should occur over time and be ongoing. Our Autism Circuit programs span a school year with opportunities for a second year of continued PD. 2) Coaching is found to be highly effective in helping teachers implement new practices. Our virtual PLC platform allows for coaching not just from our TSLAT staff, but from peers across Texas in the PLC (Center for Public Education, 2013).

Only educators who have completed the Level 1 EBP program are eligible to apply for either the Advanced program or the Literacy program.

The Advanced program is only open to educators who have completed the Level 1 program because the Advanced program builds on concepts and skills covered in the Level 1 training.

The Literacy program is only open to educators who have completed the Level 1 program because participants are expected to use the skills they learned in the Level 1 training in the Literacy training. Our concept is that now that they have learned HOW to teach using identified EBPs, they can now focus on WHAT to teach, content. Educators who have completed the Level 1 training also are more likely to have challenging behaviors better managed using the EBPs they learned that they may be better able to focus on content.