Autism Individualised Education Programme Course

Lesson 1 • Core Characteristics and Learning Profiles

Analyses social communication differences, sensory processing, and executive function challenges. Grounds IEP goal-writing in accurate learner profiles.

Lesson 2 • Etiology and Neurological Basis

Surveys genetic, environmental, and neurological research on ASD origins. Prevents misconceptions that could bias IEP team decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Strengths-Based Perspectives on Autism

Introduces asset-based and self-advocacy frameworks for viewing autistic learners. Shifts IEP planning from deficit remediation to capability building.

Lesson 4 • Defining Autism Spectrum Disorder

Covers diagnostic criteria, spectrum variability, and co-occurring conditions. Establishes the clinical baseline needed for all subsequent IEP planning.

Lesson 1 • Special Education Law Essentials

Covers foundational disability education legislation, free appropriate public education, and least restrictive environment mandates. Provides the legal context for every IEP decision.

Lesson 2 • Dispute Resolution and Due Process

Explains mediation, complaint procedures, and due process hearings available to families. Prepares practitioners to prevent and navigate disagreements constructively.

Lesson 3 • Ethical Obligations of IEP Teams

Addresses confidentiality, informed consent, conflict of interest, and cultural humility in IEP practice. Connects ethical standards to professional accountability.

Lesson 4 • IEP Regulatory Requirements

Details required IEP components, timelines, and documentation standards under federal education law. Ensures practitioners produce legally compliant documents.

Lesson 1 • Functional and Observational Assessment

Introduces functional behaviour assessment, ecological observation, and curriculum-based measures. Links informal data to practical IEP goal development.

Lesson 2 • Family and Learner Input Methods

Covers structured interviews, preference assessments, and learner self-report tools. Integrates family and learner perspectives into a complete learner profile.

Lesson 3 • Assessment Principles and Eligibility

Covers nondiscriminatory evaluation requirements, assessment team roles, and eligibility determination. Establishes the procedural foundation for all diagnostic and planning assessments.

Lesson 4 • Writing the Present Level of Performance

Teaches how to synthesise assessment data into a clear, measurable present level statement. This section directly bridges evaluation findings to IEP goal-writing.

Lesson 1 • Anatomy of a Measurable IEP Goal

Breaks down the required components of a well-formed IEP goal including condition, behaviour, and criterion. Provides the structural template applied throughout the chapter.

Lesson 2 • Academic and Cognitive Goals

Guides writing of literacy, mathematics, and executive function goals tied to grade-level standards. Connects academic goals to the learner's present level and learning profile.

Lesson 3 • Communication and Language Goals

Addresses expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language goal-writing for varied communication profiles. Ensures goals reflect the learner's current communication modality.

Lesson 4 • Social, Emotional, and Behavioural Goals

Covers goal-writing for social skills, emotional regulation, and behaviour reduction tied to FBA findings. Links behavioural goals to positive support plans.

Lesson 1 • Evaluating Evidence Quality

Introduces research hierarchies, single-case design standards, and practice guidelines for autism interventions. Builds critical appraisal skills used throughout the chapter.

Lesson 2 • Sensory and Environmental Interventions

Addresses sensory integration strategies, environmental modifications, and structured teaching approaches. Connects environmental design to goal attainment and learner regulation.

Lesson 3 • Communication and AAC Interventions

Reviews augmentative and alternative communication systems, PECS, and speech-generating devices. Guides teams in selecting communication supports aligned to IEP goals.

Lesson 4 • Behavioural and Skill-Building Interventions

Covers applied behaviour analysis, discrete trial training, naturalistic developmental approaches, and social skills curricula. Matches each method to appropriate IEP goal types.

Lesson 1 • Curriculum Modifications for Diverse Learners

Addresses content reduction, task complexity adjustment, and alternate achievement standards. Guides teams in maintaining rigour while meeting individual learning needs.

Lesson 2 • Assistive Technology in IEP Planning

Reviews the AT consideration requirement, device categories, and implementation planning. Connects technology selection to specific IEP goals and learner profiles.

Lesson 3 • Accommodations Versus Modifications Defined

Clarifies the distinction between accommodations that provide access and modifications that alter content expectations. Prevents misclassification errors in IEP documentation.

Lesson 4 • Testing Accommodations and Alternate Assessments

Covers standardised testing accommodations, alternate assessment eligibility, and portfolio options. Ensures IEP teams make defensible, data-driven assessment decisions.

Lesson 1 • Preparing for the IEP Meeting

Covers pre-meeting data review, agenda preparation, family notification, and logistical planning. Reduces meeting inefficiency and increases family readiness.

Lesson 2 • Facilitating Productive IEP Meetings

Teaches facilitation techniques, active listening, jargon reduction, and consensus-building strategies. Ensures meetings are collaborative rather than compliance-driven events.

Lesson 3 • IEP Team Composition and Roles

Identifies required and optional team members, their legal roles, and excusal procedures. Establishes the team structure that supports all subsequent meeting practices.

Lesson 4 • Family and Learner Partnership

Addresses culturally responsive engagement, trust-building, and empowering families as equal partners. Strengthens the family-school relationship central to IEP success.

Lesson 1 • IEP Review, Revision, and Amendment

Addresses annual review procedures, interim amendments, and criteria for goal revision. Ensures the IEP remains a living document responsive to learner growth.

Lesson 2 • Progress Monitoring Systems

Teaches data collection methods, graphing, and decision rules for evaluating goal progress. Enables timely instructional adjustments based on objective evidence.

Lesson 3 • Transition Planning for Autistic Learners

Covers age-appropriate transition assessment, postsecondary goal development, and agency coordination. Prepares learners for adult life through coordinated IEP planning.

Lesson 4 • Evaluating IEP Programme Effectiveness

Introduces programme evaluation frameworks, outcome data analysis, and continuous improvement cycles. Connects individual IEP outcomes to broader programme quality.