Center for Autism and Related Disorders Announces CARD® eLearning™, a Premier Online Training System for Practitioners Treating Autism
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders announces the launch of www.cardelearning.com, a new online tool for teaching practitioners and other caregivers effective techniques to treat individuals with autism.
Nationwide, December 13, 2010 The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), the world’s largest provider of state-of-the-art early intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with autism, has launched CARD® eLearning™ (www.cardelearning.com), the premier Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) online educator for parents and practitioners working with individuals with autism.
The CARD® eLearning™ program is a 40-hour online, self-guided training course designed to facilitate effective intervention for individuals with autism by equipping users with foundational knowledge in ABA. The curriculum consists of 9 video-based training modules such as: (1) Definitions of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), (2) Skill Repertoire Building, and (3) Behavior Management.
The modules feature online note taking, quizzes, and a final exam with a certificate of course completion. CARD® eLearning™, similar in content to a three-credit university survey course, should take users approximately 25-45 hours to complete, depending on personal knowledge and background.
“Users will acquire knowledge about teaching skills to individuals with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques,” says Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, CARD® Founder and Executive Director. “However, this program will not teach users how to design and direct a treatment plan for a individual.”
Thea Davis, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and graduate of CARD® eLearning™, says: “In this world where so many individuals with autism are not receiving services, and BCBA’s are overwhelmed and not able to meet the needs of the individuals waiting for services, it allows an alternative to the traditional lecture-style training for an ABA technicians.”
Preliminary research into the effectiveness of CARD® eLearning™ was published in the 2010 volume of the peer-reviewed journal Research of Autism Spectrum Disorder. That study, titled “Evaluation of an eLearning Tool for Training Behavioral Technicians in Academic Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis,” was a randomized comparison of performance on a written test of knowledge of ABA principles and procedures for two groups of newly hired behavioral technicians. One group received traditional didactic training and the other received the eLearning program, followed by a brief discussion session.
Knowledge of ABA principles and procedures increased substantially for both groups, with the traditional didactic group achieving scores slightly higher than the eLearning group.
Practitioners can register to use the tool free of charge until January 01, 2011. Visitors can access the online educator at www.cardelearning.com.
About CARD, Inc.:
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) maintains a reputation as one of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating individuals with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and related disorders. Following the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), CARD® develops individualized treatment plans for your individual. CARD® provides autism services around the globe. For more information about CARD, visit: www.centerforautism.com.