Autism Program Quality Indicators
This document is a condensed version of the quality indicators described by the state of New Jersey, which autism programs must have in order to be considered a quality autism program.
About Autism:
Individuals with autism typically present with marked deficits in the following areas:
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Attention
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Imitation
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Communication
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Socialization
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Motivation
Individuals with autism also frequently engage in ritualistic behaviors and behavior challenges.
Program Characteristics:
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Engagement and Intensity o Length of day and school year (full day, ESY)
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Low student teacher ratio o NPS-2:1 ratio (minimum)
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Time to generalize learned skills built into schedule o NPS-group activities
NPS meets the personnel description in the Autism Program Quality Indicators:
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Program specialist in autism
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Certified teachers
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Para-professionals to meet 2:1 or sometimes 1:1 ratio
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Professional Development training
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Hands on training in classrooms
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Crisis intervention training
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Specialized curriculum and instructional methods o Eden Curriculum o Discrete trial o Chaining techniques
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On-going consultation (Eden?)
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FBA’s completed by district behaviorist
The NJ Autism Program Quality Indicators state that the two most commonly implemented methods for young students are Applied Behavior Analysis and DIR/Floortime (Greenspan)

The following is the description of ABA from the quality indicators:
Programs that appear to result in growth in areas such as social engagement, language, coping, and reduction of difficult behaviors have the following characteristics:
• Applied behavioral analysis is usually needed to assist a child to gain skills and reduce negative or undesirable behaviors.
• A functional behavioral analysis approach is applied to challenging behavior, looking for the communicative intent of behavior.
• The intervention is planned to acknowledge the communicative intent.
• Positive behaviors are reinforced to reduce negative behaviors.
• Replacement behaviors are used (e.g., substitute a simple acceptable behavior when a child begins to tantrum).
• An individualized approach is used to select a developmentally appropriate method and level of program.
• Several intervention methods (such as discrete trial, environmental modifications, naturalistic teacher moments, or inclusion with typically developing peers) are considered in the selection.
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):
• Data driven
• Increases appropriate behaviors and decreases inappropriate behaviors
• Discrete trial is a methodology under the philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis