LINKS Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program links (lingks), v. to unite or connect

Key Questions What is Autism or ASD? What does an education for students with Autism require? What is the LINKS curriculum?

What is autism?

Autism is… a Neurobiological disorder that impacts processing, attention and shifting, basic social behaviors, interaction with the environment and learning in three diagnostic areas: Impairment in Socialization Restricted & Repetitive Behavior Impairment in Communication

What do we know? Autism is part of a spectrum called ASD that also includes Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS. Characteristics are evident by the age of 3 (DSM-IV criteria) 70-95% with a documented developmental concern before the age of 2 years 13-30% of children had a reported developmental regression by 2 years of age Occurs 4 times more often in boys than girls

Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorders PDD-NOS Impaired social interactions Or Impaired communication Or Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities Autism Impaired social interactions And Impaired communication And Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities Asperger's Disorder Impaired social interactions And Normal communication/language development Or Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns or behaviors, interests and activities

New Research One in 88 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by the age of 8. On average 1 in 54 boys was diagnosed, compared to only 1 in 252 girls. -Center for Disease Control

Goals for Students with ASD (Biggest needs of students with ASD) Socialization Independence Organization Participation in the General Education Curriculum

Undeniable Truths Autism is not going away and… the school system needs a way to meet these needs that is cost effective.

Education for students with ASD

Definitions LINK – a pupil who is enrolled in a LINKS course/credit program and who becomes a peer support or “LINK” to a pupil with ASD LINKS – a local education agency’s board approved peer-to-peer support course/credit program -MDE Pupil Accounting Manual

Evidence-based practices for students with ASD There are 24 identified evidence-based practices: Antecedent-Based Interventions Computer-Aided Instruction Differential ReinforcementDiscrete Trial Training Extinction Functional Behavior Assessment Functional Communication Training Naturalistic Intervention Parent-Implemented Intervention Social Narratives Self-Management Peer-Mediated Instruction and Intervention Social Skills Groups Prompting Reinforcement Response Interruption/Redirection Pivotal Response Training Speech Generating Devices Structured Work Systems Task Analysis Time DelayVideo Modeling Visual Supports PECS

Peer Mediated Instruction and Intervention Peer-to-Peer support or peer mediated learning is well documented as an evidence based practice for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder. LINKS elective course/credit programs represent one model of 21 st Century instructional design that incorporates applied learning in a non-traditional manner. LINKS is based on long-standing national research and is an evidence-based model that is documented to have multiple learning outcomes for both students with ASD and students enrolled in the elective course/credit program. -MDE Pupil Accounting Manual

Evidence Based Outcomes For student with ASDFor LINK LINK models typical academic and social behavior in educational environments Improvements in academic competence Experimental learning provides progressive knowledge regarding awareness and understanding of disabilities and experience in increasing skills in organization, responsibility, problem-solving, decision-making and accountability Improvements in academic competence Pupils at-risk for academic and behavioral issues who enroll in LINKS courses demonstrate increased grades and increased attendance -MDE Pupil Accounting Manual

Educational Environment The special education teacher teaches a general education course called “LINKS,” and serves as the teacher of record, provides training, facilitates case conferences, and gives the grade for the general education pupil in the elective course which is delivered in the special education class. The special education teacher is teaching the special education program at the same time. -MDE Pupil Accounting Manual

General Requirements for all LINKS courses Pupil must be enrolled in grades 6-12, Curriculum is approved by the local board of education, Instructional objectives are established by the approved peer-to-peer support curricular content, Pupil is provided a course syllabus, The LINKS teacher must provide lesson plans and the grading criteria for each LINKS course/credit, Daily attendance for participating pupils is recorded by the teacher, Pupil assessment and grading is completed by the teacher of record, Pupil meets all other enrollment and pupil eligibility requirements. -MDE Pupil Accounting Manual

Curriculum

Curriculum There is already an established curriculum for the LINKS class! This curriculum is Flexible enough to meet a variety of needs Accessible from any location with internet access Comprehensive in its content Each online module includes a pre-test, content material for learning, and a post-test.

Online Modules Modules are organized sequentially into four levels: Level 1 1.About Autism Spectrum Disorders 2.Recognizing Autism-Assessment for Identification 3.Peer Mediated instruction 4.Prompting 5.Reinforcement 6.Restricted Patterns of Behavior, Interests, & Activities 7.Picture Exchange Communication System 8.Language and Communication

Online Modules Level 2 1.Rules and Routines 2.Transitioning between activities 3.Antecedent-Based activities 4.Functional Communication 5.Supporting successful completion of homework 6.Response Intervention/Redirection 7.Visual support 8.Naturalistic Intervention 9.Extinction

Online Modules Level 3 1.Self-Management 2.Overview of Social Skills 3.Home Base 4.Assessment for Identification 5.Sensory Differences 6.Social Narratives 7.Time Delay 8.Differential Reinforcement 9.The Incredible 5-point Scale 10.Strategies for teaching Functional Skills 11.The Employee with Autism

Online Modules Level 4 1.Social Supports for Transition-aged individuals 2.Structured work systems & activity organizations 3.Task Analysis 4.Structured Teaching 5.Speech Generating Devices 6.Preparing Individuals for Employment 7.Customized Employment 8.Parent-Implemented Intervention 9.Computer-Aided Instruction 10.Discrete Trail Training

Journal LINK students are required to record a daily journal entry on a password protected blog.  This encourages the LINK student to think and reflect on what is happening in their experience with the student with ASD  Informs the LINK teacher as to what is happening in class  Informs other LINKs that are working with the same student about what is happening and share ideas

Journal Questions Socialization: Describe how your student socializes with you and your classmates. Independence: Does your student show independence or need help being more independent? Give examples. Academics: How do you think your student is doing with homework, lectures, note taking, and assignments? Other: Tell us anything else that happened during your Peer Connections hour.

LINKedUP Website for LINK students and teacher to communicate, post additional articles for reading, post assignments, and record daily journal on password protected blog.

Case Conferences This is a meeting of all the LINK students that are working with the same student with ASD. This meeting could be held every 3-4 weeks. Case conferences help support the LINKs. Case Conferences come up with new ideas for the student with ASD. The meeting should ask three basic questions: 1.What is going right with our student? 2.What are some of the challenges our student is facing? 3.Brainstorm solutions

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Who is involved?  General education students will sign up for LINKS class and receive an elective credit  The LINK will be matched with a student with Autism based on common interests, experience and age  Special Education teacher will serve as teacher of record and teach both classes

What is the teacher’s role? Training LINKS Organizing Informing the rest of the staff Defining the role of the LINKs Motivating the LINKs Creating a positive atmosphere for my students with ASD Modeling behaviors for LINKs

When do LINKs receive training? LINKS work with the student with ASD four days a week during their assigned hour and meet with the teacher for training day one day a week. Case Conferences are usually held during lunch time once every 3-4 weeks.

Where do students meet? LINK students will work with the students with ASD in natural settings such as the special education room, hallways, cafeteria, and gym. LINKS class has a classroom, just like any other class at the High School. This room also serves as the “safe haven” for ASD students.

Why do we need LINKS? LINKs are peers and they can Say things I cannot Do things I cannot Influence like I never will

The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.