The importance of Social and Emotional Development

Providing evidence-based educational programming for students on the Autism Spectrum relies on a careful selection of focused approaches that have been shown to promote the acquisition of specific skills or the reduction of behaviors that are interfering with learning and social engagement in the classroom. Based upon current systematic reviews, nearly three-dozen approaches are considered effective at promoting such positive outcomes. These practices, however, target a wide range of behaviors, some of which may or may not be relevant or of utmost priority given the developmental needs of a student. In this webinar series, the importance of considering evidence-based practices within a framework that is sensitive to the social and emotional priorities for the student will be discussed. What we determine as the student’s targeted educational objectives should be as important as how we are providing accommodations.