When Training and Coaching Aren’t Enough: Changing Practice and Outcomes in Low-Resource Public Schools

Abstract

The science of behavior change in children with autism is well developed and sophisticated. The science and practice of changing the behavior of educators to increase their use of evidence-based practices lags far behind, however. Nowhere is this more evident than in low-resource public schools, where poor pre-service training, school resources, and organizational culture and climate all can contribute to inadequate implementation of evidence-based practices. In these situations, traditional consultation and training practices often don’t result in desired change. In this presentation, Dr. Mandell describes a 10-year public-academic partnership and line of research in Philadelphia involving the science and practice of supporting public school teachers working under difficult circumstances.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• List at least three challenges autism support teachers face in low-resource school districts
• Describe a model that combines organizational and psychological theories to predict implementation of evidence-based practices
• List at least three policies that leverage these theories to increase the use of evidence-based practices

About the Presenter

Dr. Mandell directs the Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research. He also is Associate Director of the Center for Autism Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The goal of his research is to improve the quality of care individuals with autism receive in their communities. This research is of two types. The first examines, at the state and national level, the effects of different strategies to organize, finance and deliver services on service use patterns and outcomes. The second consists of experimental studies designed to determine the best strategies to successfully implement proven-efficacious practices in community settings. Dr. Mandell holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from Columbia University and a doctorate of science from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.

Registration for this webinar is required ($30 for members of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies/ $45 for non-members). To learn more and register, visit the event page.