Supporting Teachers of Children with Autism Using Distance Education and Video Portfolios

Abstract

This paper describes a distance education program offered by the University of Wyoming to train and support teachers in the field who are working with children with autism. Because of problems posed by the rural nature of the state, distance education is the program delivery mode of choice. The development of video portfolios has proven to be an effective complement to distance education courses and invaluable for teaching and monitoring the acquisition of new skills. Video portfolios have been especially useful in teaching complex skills such as functional behavioral assessment and positive behavior support planning.