Menu of Learning Modules

Learning Module: Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

Module Description: Team members who work with learners with ASD can use time delay to teach new skills by gradually reducing the use of prompts during instructional activities. Time delay is a particularly effective practice because it is easy to implement and often results in rapid learning of key skills, including academic, play/leisure, language/communication, and social.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders MIND Institute at University of California - Davis

Authors: Jennifer Bogin; Lisa Sullivan, Ph.D., Sally Rogers, Ph.D., Aaron Stabel, M.A.

Learning Module: Functional Communication Training (FCT)

Module Description:Functional communication training (FCT) is a practice that emerged from the research on functional behavioral assessment (FBA). This module will provide information on functional communication training.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Waisman Center at University of Wisconsin - Madison

Authors: Ellen Franzone, M.S.

Learning Module: Naturalistic Intervention

Module description: Naturalistic intervention is a collection of practices including environmental arrangement, interaction techniques, and strategies based on applied behavior analysis principles. This module will provide information on naturalistic intervention.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Waisman Center at University of Wisconsin - Madison

Author: Ellen Franzone, M.S.

Learning Module: Parent-Implemented Intervention

Module description: This module will define each step of the process for parent-implemented intervention, discuss specific procedures and practices within each step, and provide examples that can be used as models for parents and practitioners as they work with individuals with ASD.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Educational and Behaviorial Consultation Services

Author: Dawn Hendricks, Ph.D.

Learning Module: Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Module Description: According to the developers of PECS, it is a behaviorally based intervention that teaches the learner to use visual-graphic symbols to communicate with others (Bondy & Frost, 1994; Frost & Bondy, 2002). This module will provide information on this augmentative and alternative communication system.

Contributors: Andy Bondy, Ph.D. and Lori Frost, M.S., CCC/SLP, National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Authors: Lana Collet-Klingenberg, Ph.D.

Learning Module: Pivotal Response Training (PRT)

Module description: Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is a research-based model with the ultimate goal "to provide individuals with autism with the social and educational proficiency to participate in enriched and meaningful lives in inclusive settings" (Koegel, Koegel, Harrower, & Carter, 1999). This module describes the framework, how it can be implemented, teaching strategies across age levels, and the evidence base for PRT. 

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders and MIND Institute at University of California - Davis

Author: Laurie Vismara, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Learning Module: Prompting

Module description: Prompting procedures include any help given to learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that assist them in using a specific skill. This module provides information on three types of prompting and can be completed in chunks to make it more manageable.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders at FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Author: Jen Neitzel, Ph.D.

Learning Module: Reinforcement

Module description: Reinforcement is an evidence-based practice that increases the likelihood that a learner uses a particular behavior in the future. This module will provide information on reinforcement.  

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders at FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Author: Jen Neitzel, Ph.D.

Learning Module: Structured Work Systems

Module description: This module will define individual work systems, offer strategies for developing these systems, and discuss how these systems might be used at home, school, and in the community.

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders at FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Author: Kara Hume, Ph.D. and Carnahan, C.

Learning Module: Time Delay

Module description: Time delay is a response-prompting procedure that focuses on fading the use of prompts during instructional activities. This module will provide information on time delay.  

Contributors: National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders at FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Author: Jen Neitzel, Ph.D.