AUTISM TRAINERS AND AUTISM CONSULTANTS:
What's the Difference?

 Project ACCESS; September 2006

AUTISM TRAINER: DESE has asked the Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) to supply training in autism within their regions (there are nine regions) using credentialed trainers. Trainers have been selected on a regional basis. These individuals have participated in a train-the-trainer session for the training module for which they are being credentialed.  After attending the train-the-trainer and completing an assessment on the content, trainers are observed presenting the module and are evaluated using a scoring guide.  Upon successful completion of all three of the above components, trainers are credentialed and their names submitted to the RPDCs as credentialed trainers available to do training on a specific module.

AUTISM CONSULTANT: Missouri does not have such an educational designation.  However, there is a two-tiered system of Project ACCESS autism educational consultants described below.

IN-DISTRICT AUTISM CONSULTANT (IDAC): The individual's school district chooses a certified teacher or teachers on their staff to get additional training in autism.  The district sends the teacher(s) through a minimum of six days of autism specific training through a Regional Professional Development Center and then an administrator sends a letter indicating that the district plans to use that person(s) as In-District Autism Consultant(s).  Each IDAC must have completed a minimum of six days of autism specific training including the Introduction to Autism and Working with Autistic Students in the School OR Early Intervention for the Young Child With Autism and then attend the Autism Consultant Training (ACT) workshop in June. We provide each IDAC with a nametag, and maintain a database of these trained people.  IDACs are invited to a consultant refresher workshop each year.  Frequent information is emailed to IDACs.  If the IDAC leaves the sponsoring school district, she/he loses their IDAC status.  If the IDAC moves to another school district, the new district can send Project ACCESS a letter requesting IDAC status for that person, and we will reinstate him/her.

MISSOURI AUTISM CONSULTANT (MAC):  MACs are talented and expert individuals in the area of autism.  There is an application process for MAC status.  Project ACCESS selects MACs, trains them, monitors their effectiveness and ongoing education in autism, and sends them out across the state to consult in requesting school districts.  MACs have typically attended most Project ACCESS workshops and they are invited to attend a refresher once each year. They receive frequent information through email, and receive a MAC nametag.  MAC status has a highly regarded reputation across the midwest.

For more information visit:

Project ACCESS  www.missouristate.edu/access

MISSOURI REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS  http://www.dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/leadership/rpdc/index.html