Slide 1:
A Chance To Ride
Introducing Young Adults with Autism to Independent Travel
Graphic: Cover art from A Chance to Ride, a drawing of a public transit bus and logos from Autism
Speaks and The Kennedy Center.
Presented By: Traci Resler and Jonathan Rubell
Slide 2:
A Chance To Ride
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A Chance To Ride was created with funding from an Autism Speaks Family Services Community
Grant.
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Family Services Community Grants are given by Autism Speaks each year to support the creation
or enhancement of programs for people with Autism that address one of the following areas:
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Education
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Recreation/Community Activities
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Young Adult Services
Graphics: Logos from The Kennedy Center and Autism Speaks.
Slide 3:
A Chance To Ride
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The need for a more formalized curriculum became evident from our work with transitional high
school students.
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Also, noticed a substantial increase in the number of referrals for one-on-one travel training for
young people on the spectrum.
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Were developing customized teaching tools for individuals on the spectrum on an ad-hoc basis.
Slide 4:
A Chance To Ride
THE PROCESS
1. Research – what was already out there? Curriculums to teach life skills to students with ASD, but
not independent travel. Curriculum to teach travel training, but not to students with ASD
2. Establishing partnerships – 2 schools agreed to help develop and pilot the curriculum and and
supporting materials. In addition, 3 schools agreed to help us create visuals using photos of their
students demonstrating lesson content.
TIP: Check out Dr. Jed Baker’s Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond.
Slide 5:
THE PROCESS
3. Focus group for special education teachers to review initial draft.
4. Parent information night.
5. Piloted curriculum with a total of 5 classes.
6. Review of penultimate draft by subject matter experts.
7. Curriculum completed and published.
Slide 6:
A Chance to Ride
HOW IT WORKS
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Each lesson has a goal, prerequisites, materials provided, instruction, student review, and
recommendations for extended learning.
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Instructor tips are sprinkled throughout curriculum.
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Each lesson has checklists and activities to reinforce the lesson content.
Slide 7:
HOW IT WORKS
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Lessons: 1-6
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Levels: I, II, III: Beginner(I), Intermediate(II), “Travel Training Ready(III)” that include an
introduction describing problem areas students with ASD are likely to experience and
how to address these areas of concern with the lesson content.
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Supporting Materials
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PowerPoint presentations, 2 short videos, handouts, worksheets, checklists
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Individual Travel Training Curriculum
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At the end of each lesson supporting materials are listed and presented in the order they are
listed in the lesson.
Slide 8:
T
A Chance to Ride:
HOW IT WORKS
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Lesson samples
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Complete Curriculum available at: http://www.thekennedycenterinc.org/what-wedo/programs-services/mobility-services/publications-resources.html