Project STARS: Using desktop conferencing to prepare autism specialists at a distance

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the fastest growing category served in special education, yet there is a serious shortage of personnel appropriately trained and highly qualified to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents with autism in the nation's schools. The need for specialized training and certification in the area of autism (above and beyond qualifications in special education generally) is only now being recognized by state licensure agencies and personnel preparation programs. West Virginia University, an early adopter of technology-mediated distance education, has developed post-baccalaureate certification and Masters degree program to prospective and practicing special education personnel to work with students with autism spectrum disorders in rural areas. This article presents a new graduate program to prepare special educators as autism specialists by 1) describing an innovative distance education model that uses desktop audio conferencing for live interactive classes with other online activities as well as online supervision of practicum experiences; and 2) discussing development and implementation of the program, including initial outcomes and planned changes.