VCU RRTC

VCU-ACE has been providing embedded technical assistance in 12 school divisions to assist them in improving their programming for students with ASD. In this project, the Technical Assistance division of VCU-ACE used the Autism Program Environment Rating Scale (APERS) as a measure of program quality and a standard for classrooms to model. In this webcast, we present the APERS pre- and post-test data to demonstrate the change that occurred in classrooms as a result of its use. In addition, we will discuss the APERS tool and how it can be useful to other divisions wishing to use it as a standard program evaluation tool.  Finally we will discuss how some school divisions have used the APERS to increase teacher skill in the classroom.

Bio: Dr. Schall has been learning from and supporting individuals with autism since the early 1980’s.  She is involved in supporting individuals across Virginia through her work as the director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is well versed in completing functional behavior assessments and using positive behavior supports to develop comprehensive plans for individuals from a person-centered approach.  She is a state trainer for the Positive Behavior Support project with the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Additionally, she is the principal investigator for the VCU ASD Career Links Project.