Louisiana Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders Project

Lisa Altman, M.Ed.
Project Coordinator

The LASARD Project is a collaborative effort between LSUHSC Human Development Center and the Louisiana Department of Education. The goals of the project are: (1) to improve educational practices and outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related disabilities and (2) to develop statewide capacity to provide high quality educational programs for these students.

Eight school districts currently participate in the Project: DeSoto, Lafayette, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Recovery, St. Charles, and St. Tammany..

Teams participated in a series of trainings focusing on key areas of the Louisiana Autism Quality Indicators: Environment, Communication, Curriculum & Instruction, Collaboration, Inclusive Practices, Behavior, Social Interaction, and Transition. Teams develop action plans for their schools around each focus area.

Each parish contracts directly with HDC through the LASARD project for Training and Technical Assistance. LASARD facilitators provide regular technical support to each building level team to support their efforts to implement their action plans and become demonstration sites. Technical support can include regular on-site visits, phone consultation, in-service trainings, webinars, and work groups.

Each district commits to supporting three school-based teams consisting of regular and special educators, school principals, district administrators, therapists, paraprofessionals, and family members to participate in all aspects of the project. The teams participate in a series of four intensive trainings throughout the year and develop action plans for their schools. Trainings focus on environmental supports, instructional planning, behavior supports, communication skills, social skills, and research-based practices.

LASARD facilitators provide regular onsite technical support to each school-based team to support their efforts to implement their action plans and become high quality demonstration programs.

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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC estimates that an average of 1 in 150 children in the U.S have an ASD.  CDC is working to find out how many children have ASDs, discover the risk factors, and raise awareness of the signs.

Learn More about ASD

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In collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Education, the LSUHSC Human Development Center is developing professional development electronic modules as part of the Louisiana Autism Spectrum and Related Disabilities (LASARD) Project. To-date there are four modules offered:

Transition Practices for Students with ASD

Behavior Intervention Practices for Students with ASD and Related Disabilities

Inclusive Practices for Students with ASD and Related Disabilities

Social Skills Instruction for Students with ASD and Related Disabilities

All modules are available on-line24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience. Click here to get to the modules.

Partner School Workshop Training Schedule

Team 1

Team 2

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Quality Indicators

The LASARD Project is developing the Louisiana Autism Quality Indicators for Schools (LAQI). This continuous improvement tool will assist schools in evaluating the quality of the programs they offer students with ASD and target areas for improvement in research-based practices. Key areas addressed include:

Collaboration

Inclusive Practices

Environment

Curriculum & Instruction

Communication

Behavior

Social Development

Transition

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EDSP 6210-Effective Instructional and Support Strategies for Individuals
with Autism - 1
Instructor: Dr. Lauren Giovingo,
LSUHSC-Human Development Center
Wednesday nights in the Fall 2009 semester from 4:30 - 7:15
Conducted via Internet

This performance based course explores the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  It begins with an examination of the controversies surrounding the etiology and diagnosis of ASD.  The course also includes a detailed examination of behavioral, social, and language characteristics of ASD.  The course assumes best practice requires that collaboration and family involvement guide assessment, program planning, and implementation of evidence-based interventions.
*(upon the successful completion of this course, stipends may be available to qualified students to help defray the cost of tuition, books, and incidentals).

Visit the LA-LIDC web site at http://www.lalidc.org for more information

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