Sit for Autism
Developed by
The Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Southern Connecticut State University
Ruth Eren, Ed.D.
Director
As a result of attending this
session, participants will:
Be able to describe how a training program was
developed to serve families in Connecticut who
needed babysitters with the important knowledge and
skills required when sitting for a child on the spectrum
Gain knowledge of statewide expansion of Sit for
Autism training through collaboration with the CMHI
sites
Who Are We????
 Southern Connecticut State University
Center of Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Our mission: To serve as a resource and collaborative
partner by developing, validating, and delivering
innovative training, services and technical assistance to
teachers, other school based personnel, families and
community service providers in the use of evidencedbased practices for individuals with autism spectrum
disorders in the state of Connecticut.
How It All Began……….
Graduate Program at SCSU: Masters Degree in Special
Education with a Concentration in Autism Spectrum
Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities
Graduate student initiative: Mrs. Kimberly Bean
Further developed and refined by: Ruth Eren, Ed.D.
Barbara Cook, M.S. SLP-CCC , Karen Meers, Ph.D.BCBA
What is “Sit For Autism”?
Two-hour training program for parents, family
members, babysitters who care for individuals with
ASD
Purpose: To increase knowledge and understanding of
the characteristics of ASD
Purpose: Teach 5 evidenced-based strategies that
might be helpful when caring for an individual with
ASD
Purpose: Share specific materials for use in the home
when caring for an individual with ASD
“Sit” Topics
Characteristics of children with ASD: strengths and
challenges
“Sit Kit”
Strategies and supports to increase engagement with a
child with ASD
Strategies and supports to reduce anxiety in a child
with ASD
Launching “Sit” into the
Community
CMHI sites in Connecticut
Agency contacts
Dissemination of promotional materials/flyers
Registration
Evaluation of Training
Pre/post training questionnaire
Participants rated their knowledge/confidence on 13
questions using a 5 point scale
1 (no knowledge/confidence) ------5 (complete
knowledge/confidence)
Results: Table 1. Satisfaction survey
Item
Yes
No
Not
Sure
N/A
Do you feel more comfortable babysitting for a child with
ASD
94%
-
-
6%
Do you feel more comfortable with this babysitter’s
ability to care for your child?
60%
2%
6%
33%
Would you recommend this course to others?
100%
-
-
-
Did this course provide enough general information?
100%
-
-
-
Do you think the Sit Kit is useful
98.5%
-
1.5%
-
Your overall satisfaction?
Highly
Satisfied
Satisfied
82%
18%
Results: Table 2. Comparison of Pre and Post Mean
Knowledge, Confidence Score by Item (n=69)
About the Presentation:
Pre
Post
Defining autism spectrum disorders
2.8
3.8
Explaining the strengths of children with autism
2.7
3.9
Identifying the challenges of children with autism
2.9
3.9
Describing how children with autism might act, talk, play
3.1
4.0
Describing techniques to engage children with autism
2.6
3.9
Explaining ways to reduce anxiety in children with autism
2.4
3.9
Planning ahead to care for children with autism
Choosing resources or tools to aid in the care of children
with autism
Use a First-Then card
2.6
4.1
2.4
3.8
2.1
4.3
Use a visual schedule
2.7
4.3
Use a transition aid
2.1
4.0
Use a choice board
2.6
4.3
Use a babysitting preparation kit
1.9
4.3
Next Steps
 One more year of grant funding
 10 more “Sit” trainings in state
 Measure the effect of training after 6 months
 Pursue new funding opportunities to continue
Sincere Thanks to sponsors of the
Autism State Implementation
Grant:
CT Department of Public Health
University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in
Developmental Disabilities