National Autism Spectrum Disorder and Community of Research and Practice (NASD-CORP)

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the POI?

The Population of Interest (POI) are families with children ages 2-5 years of age with a diagnosed or suspected diagnosis of ASD and/or developmental delays.

Who is eligible to participate?

The Population of Interest (POI) are families with children ages 2-5 years of age with a diagnosed or suspected diagnosis of ASD and/or developmental delays.

• Candidates work as or supervise home visitors, parent educators, community outreach personnel;
• Candidates work for agencies that deliver HIPPY or demonstrate they serve families with children ages 2-5 years of age with a diagnosed or suspected diagnosis of ASD and/or developmental delays.
• Candidates will be available to participate in the 8-week course starting on March 4, 2024.
• Candidates are able to communicate (read, write, and comprehend) English well enough to fully participate in the course.
• Candidates are willing to actively participate in the CORP following the 8-week course, from April until June 2024.
• Candidates or their agencies will be able to provide a letter of recommendation from their state lead or HIPPY US and/or provide a letter-of-support from a community agency or person with recognized expertise in autism, children with special needs, or supporting families with similar challenges.

What is the cost to participate?

There is no cost to participate in the pilot course beginning on March 4, 2024. There will be a cost for future cohorts to participate in each subsequent cycle following the pilot. This is because there are additional requirements for those participating in the pilot that will allow us to test the efficacy of the training. The cost for subsequent cycles is $500 per participant.

When is the course being offered?

The pilot course begins on March 4, 2024, and ends on April 26, 2024. Graduates of the course will be automatically enrolled in the CORP. Dates for subsequent course offerings are TBD.

What will the course entail?

Course participants will access course materials using Canvas. Each module contains resources around a specific topic. Topics are listed under Curriculum Topics. Modules include videos, content questions, and group discussions. Participants can independently engage with the material during the week, but at the end of a 7-day period, one module closes and another opens. The only time participants will be required to participate at the same time is when taking the pre-test and post-test, which will be administered on the first and last day of the course. The course assessment is not used to evaluate individual performance but is for research purposes to evaluate the course efficacy.

What are the course curriculum topics?

• Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Communication Issues and Strategies
• Behavioral Challenges and Strategies
• Sensory Issues and Strategies
• Basic Teaching Strategies
• Delivering the HIPPY Curriculum and the CARD Supplement
• Understanding Parent Perspectives

What does the CORP entail?

Working in the field of disabilities is a commitment to lifelong learning as there are new disoveries and interventions developed. Staying on top of these allows workers in the field to offer current best practices. The 8-week course prepares participants for CORP activities which include applying what participants have learned to real life situations. The expectation is that course graduates will login at least once/week to engage in discussions on real case scenarios from the field. The online community is a place for those working with families to post questions and challenging situations for other CORP members, which will include experts in the field of ASD, to respond with suggestions and recommendations. There is an expectation that those suggestions and recommendations will provide the CORP members with feedback on the success and viability of those strategies. Members will also be encouraged to provide alternative solutions or think about additional considerations such that the post, even when the outcome is less than successful, might become a viable solution for another cases described in the future.

Will certificates be issued?

Yes. We are looking into digital certificates/badges that can be added to social media accounts such as LinkedIn, resumes, and CVs.

Can I participate in the online course or the CORP if I don’t want to do both?

To participate in the online course, candidates agree to participate in the CORP. The course developers agree that having the information provided in the course is just the foundation for being successful in serving the POI. It is the CORP that ensures each home visitor/parent educator has some measure of oversight, access to obtain advice from experts, and continues to grow in expertise while also helping to develop the expertise of others.

Does this course count towards any degree programs or offer continuing education credit?

Not at this time. We are looking into this possibility, but believe this work is the first step towards this end.