For two decades, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has provided funding to prepare UCF graduate students to serve the growing number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Now, its latest contribution will support another iteration of this project.
Supported by a five-year, $1.25 million personnel preparation award from the ED, Project ASD 7 aims to increase the number of fully credentialed special education teachers and speech-language pathologists in the workforce. The and the 麻豆精品 S� both housed within the College of Community Innovation and Education 麻豆精品 S� is partnering with the UCF in the to facilitate preparing scholars to do just that.
麻豆精品 S淭his project is a collaborative grant that continues the work of Project ASD 6, 麻豆精品 S� says , associate director of the TJEEI and principal investigator for the project. 麻豆精品 S淲ith this new funding, 46 scholars will be supported as they complete their master 麻豆精品 S檚 degrees in either exceptional student education or while working together to earn the graduate certificate in ASD. 麻豆精品 S�
The graduate certificate in ASD consists of four courses that constitute the requirements for endorsement by the state of Florida. By incorporating these requirements into both degree programs, Project ASD 7 ensures students in both disciplines receive state endorsement.
Since January 2004, various iterations of Project ASD have addressed the critical need for special educators who serve school-age children identified with intellectual disabilities and emotional disorders. The program provides funding for up to 36 credit hours and has seen over 600 graduates to date.
Qualified special education personnel are in high demand. The Florida Department of Education ranked autism second on its list of teacher certification shortage areas for the 2022-23 school year. A 2024 USDoE report shows 49 of 50 states reporting insufficient numbers of special education teachers and speech-language pathologists. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national employment rate for speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2032 麻豆精品 S� much faster than average.
, associate professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and co-principal investigator of the project, reiterates the need for trained and credentialed specialists. She says this latest version of Project ASD is especially exciting due to its focus on increasing the number of specialists.
The central benefit of the program is its interdisciplinary structure. With a strong focus on collaboration, the project prepares scholars to work with professionals in different areas of specialization. Schaffer says this approach not only reflects the daily reality in the field but also has a positive effect on individuals with ASD.
麻豆精品 S淏y building interdisciplinary collaboration, we develop strong skillsets so that teams who support people with ASD can work together more effectively, 麻豆精品 S� Schaffer says. 麻豆精品 S淎 team consists of multiple professionals providing a variety of services 麻豆精品 S� this might include a psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, a behavior analyst and an educator. Working together with a common goal for a child is the best way to set that child up for success. 麻豆精品 S�
Towson adds that interprofessional education and practice is essential to working as a special education teacher or speech-language pathologist.
麻豆精品 S淧roject ASD gives our students the opportunity to learn with and from each other to provide better outcomes for the children and families they will serve in the future, 麻豆精品 S� Towson says.
, assistant professor in the School of Teacher Education, joins Schaffer and Towson as a new co-principal investigator for the project. Park, an expert in training special education teachers, says she is thrilled to collaborate with colleagues in a variety of fields to prepare educators to support students with ASD.
麻豆精品 S淧roject ASD 7 will provide teachers and speech-language pathologists with rigorous, evidence-based instructional practices that will be more accessible for students. Our hope is that by increasing the quality of training for teachers and speech pathologists, we will empower students with ASD to realize their full potential, 麻豆精品 S� Park says.
The project offers a wealth of valuable advantages. Enrolled students are eligible to receive a scholarship of $250 per course. They may also attend state and national conferences and complete internships with UCF-affiliated schools, organizations and educational agencies in the Central Florida region. To help scholars integrate coursework and field experiences, the program uniquely incorporates the use of mentor demonstration sites via live seminars, synchronous and asynchronous online presentations, and video streaming.
In addition to these short-term benefits, Park and the other members of the project also foresee long-term benefits to local educational communities, as program participants take their new knowledge and share it with fellow special educators and the families of students with disabilities to promote a more inclusive learning environment.
Many students and graduates consider Project ASD instrumental in shaping their career path. Kyra Liebertz, a current scholar, says her drive to become an effective and knowledgeable speech-language pathologist motivated her to apply.
麻豆精品 S淭he opportunity to specialize in autism studies aligned perfectly with my professional goals, 麻豆精品 S� Liebertz says. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough coursework and hands-on experiences, I 麻豆精品 S檝e developed skills in assessment, intervention planning and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Joining Project ASD has inspired me to pursue a career in high-needs schools. 麻豆精品 S�
Going forward, Schaffer is confident Project ASD will continue to meet the needs of the workforce and provide scholars with the optimal training necessary to excel in their careers.
Those wanting to learn more about Project ASD and how to get involved should reach out to projectasd@ucf.edu.
