“…bringing research based treatments
into the lives of individuals with autism.”
Dr. Fred Volkmar
Director of the Yale Child Study Center
“Leveraging Technology to Meet the
Growing Demand for Autism Services”
Jamie Pagliaro
Co-Creator & EVP of Rethink Autism, Inc.
March 2012
1 in 88
U.S Department of Education (2010)
IDEA Part B - Children with Autism in Michigan
for 1999-2000 and 2008-2009
(Child Count by Age Group)
Child Count in 1999-2000
Child Count in 2008-2009
Age 3-5
631
1,389
Age 6-11
2,408
5,974
Age 12-17
1,338
5,028
Age 18-21
329
961
Age 6-21
4,075
11,963
Age 3-21
4,706
13,352
~3x
What the research is telling us…
National Research Council
Curriculum Areas:
 Functional communication
 Social instruction
 Play and leisure
 Cognitive and academic skills
 Challenging behavior
 Generalization and maintenance
*For more information see Educating Children with Autism (2001)
What the research is telling us…
National
Established treatments – beneficial outcomes
 11 treatments identified
 Majority developed in the behavioral literature
(e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis)
 Examples:
• Comprehensive behavioral treatment
• Joint attention intervention
• Antecedent interventions
*For more information go to www.nationalautismcenter.org
Michigan State University:
ASD-Michigan Project (2011)
 Most educators did NOT use effective strategies regularly.
 Many students do NOT have access to the curriculum offered
other students.
 Educators have low expectations for students with ASD.
One-third of the 194 Michigan teaching professionals
responding said their students with ASD wouldn’t meet any
grade-level achievement standards.
The Challenges faced by
Schools & Service Providers…
1. How to standardize the delivery of research-based
educational services for all children with autism?
2. How to provide training & support across multiple
staff, families and geographic locations?
3. How to cost-effectively manage the increased
demand for autism services?
The Costs…
 Out-of-district placements
 $60,000-$120,000 per year
 Once students leave, they rarely come back
The Costs…
 Costly related services & extra staff support
 $40-$100 per hour
 Layered into IEP’s with no plan to fade
 Required to benefit from special education?
The Costs…
 Staff burnout
 The “hidden” costs of turnover
 Recruiting, training, increased supervision
Who We Are…
Mission
To make research-based educational treatment
tools accessible, affordable and easy-to-use
for parents and professionals.
Scientific Advisory Board
Bridget Taylor, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Chair
Fred Volkmar, M.D.
 Rethink Autism - Senior Clinical Advisor
 Director, Yale Child Study Center
Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D.
Catherine Lord, Ph.D.
 Organization for Autism Research
 Cornell Medical Center
Patricia Wright, Ph.D.
Louis Vismara, M.D.
 Easter Seals, National Autism Director
 Co-Founder, M.I.N.D. Institute, UC-Davis
Michael Alessandri, Ph.D.
Maurice Feldman, Ph.D., BCBA-D
 Director, University of Miami - CARD
 Professor, Brock University
Bill Jenson, Ph.D.
Nicolette Bainbridge Brigham, Ph.D.
 Professor, University of Utah
 Director at TRIAD, Vanderbilt University
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Parents/Individuals
 Nationwide
 Worldwide – 26 countries
• Professionals




100’s of school districts nationwide, and virtual schools
Department of Defense – military base schools worldwide
Health Net - behavioral health subsidiary (MHN)
Medicaid coverage through waiver program in two states
Example MI Partners
 Michigan Autism Alliance: Health Insurance Bill
 ConsumerLink Networt: 500+ children in Wayne Co.
 Henry Ford Health Center: Parent Training Model
 Statewide Autism Resources & Training Center: Pilot
 Detroit Public Schools: Pilot
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
 Individualized assessment tool
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
 Individualized assessment tool
 Behavior intervention planning
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
 Individualized assessment tool
 Behavior intervention planning
 Staff & parent training modules
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
 Individualized assessment tool
 Behavior intervention planning
 Staff & parent training modules
 Data tracking & progress reporting
Web-based Educational
Treatment Platform
• Key Components
 Comprehensive curriculum
 Individualized assessment tool
 Behavior intervention planning
 Staff & parent training modules
 Data tracking & progress reporting
 Ongoing professional support
Comprehensive Video-Based
Autism Curriculum
 1200+ video-based ABA* exercises
 Research-based WITHOUT the jargon
 Featuring children with autism
Provides the TOOLS to teach!
*Applied Behavior Analysis
Comprehensive Video-Based
Autism Curriculum
 Point of diagnosis through adolescence
 Covers the full spectrum
 Benefits children with other disabilities
Based on INDIVIDUALIZED needs!
Comprehensive Video-Based
Autism Curriculum
WINNER of the 2011 Education Innovation Summit
Best in Class Curriculum Award
WINNER of the 2011 CODiE Award
Best Instructional Solution for
Special Needs Students
WINNER of the 2011 Interactive Media Award
Best in Class Education
Best in Class Healthcare
Comprehensive Video-Based
Autism Curriculum
The FIRST & ONLY
Autism Curriculum aligned with the
Common Core State Standards
(www.corestandards.org)
Staff Performance Generalization
Sample in Public School – Western U.S.
(Cardinal & Jenson, 2011)
Student Skill Acquisition
Sample in Public School – Western U.S.
100
90
80
70
60
Baseline
50
Overall Average Performance
40
30
20
10
0
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
(Cardinal & Jenson, 2011)
Student 4
What users are saying…
“Since we met, we received our devices and the virtual curriculum. The
other teacher as well as myself have been using it everyday since
November 23rd...
...The program is beyond words, especially when one takes into account
it centralizes and breaks it down, as no two communication styles are the
same (as is the case in my classroom). Thank you for inquiring, we are
happy with the program, just could have used this 5 years ago.”
Christopher O'Brien
Self-contained Teacher
What users are saying…
“We could not be more pleased with the rethink autism program and
the quality of customer care service. As the sole curriculum or as a
supplementary resource, rethink autism is well worth the cost!”
Dr. Steven G. Caponegro
Director of Special Services
What users are saying…
“Thanks Robin! It was great to speak to you also! I always get
reenergized when I talk to your people! I love that! Thanks for reaching
out to me and to us-we love Rethink!!!!”
Catherine Perison
Behavior Intervention Specialist
For More Information:
www.rethinkautism.com
Contact:
Jamie Pagliaro
jamie@rethinkautism.com
1-877-988-8871 ext. 205