A useful introduction and "how to use" section starts every course. It provides an overview of the system and it's features. This section helps the user understand how to navigate the course, how testing works, how to use notes, communication tools and view documents amongst other things.

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Module 1; "What is Autism", provides an overview of autism and some of the more common associated disorders. Note how each module starts with a list of competencies that the module will focus on teaching. Also note the simple navigation panel on the right hand side of the page. This also allows the learner access to the digital library and communication tools. They can even take notes directly onscreen. A great feature that allows people to refer to them at any time.

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Module 2; "Causes of Autism" provides a good overview of the current knowledge regarding those things that we think contributes to someone having autism. It also starts talking about the common characteristics of autism.

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Module 3; "Historical Definitions and Prevalence", talks about how the research and theory has evolved over the years. This is useful for the learner to understand as it is important to know where we come from in order to know where we need to head.

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Module 4; "The Triad of Impairments", is a great way of understanding how autism affects someone and how they see the world. The triad refers to:

• Difficulties in relating to, or understanding other people and social situations
• Difficulties in acquiring forms of communication
• A lack of imaginative ability, often substituted by obsessive, repetitive behavior and a strong resistance to change.

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Module 5; "Prevalence of Autism", covers past, current and future trends in the thinking of how common autism is and the rationale for that thinking. It also discussed why it appears that autism has appeared to reach epidemic proportions in recent years.

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Module 6; "Characteristics" provides and in depth understanding of how autism is manifested in individuals. This goes some way toward helping users understand why it is people with autism behave the way they do.

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Module 7; "Philosophy, Values and Advocacy" focuses on establishing practice that reflects dignity, well being and independence for people who have autism. This is critical if direct support staff are to be effective in their work. This section also discusses, not only what advocacy is, but what advocacy is not.

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Module 8; "Sensory Issues" is designed to help people understand some of the differences in ways people who have autism process sensory information and how this influences their perception and behavior amongst other things. The more direct support staff understand behavior from the persons point of view, the more they will understand how to support them.

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Module 9; "Applied Behavior Analysis" gives the person a foundation for understanding how to go about supporting and teaching new behaviors and skills to someone who has autism. This is particularly important when attempting to work with someone who has behaviors that challenge us...or them.

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Module 10; "Encouragement, Reinforcement and Support" provides a comprehensive understanding of positive behavior support and how we can support people to change their behavior in positive, non-aversive or restrictive ways. Positive Behavior Support has been included because many agencies, states, and government regulations utilize Positive Behavior Support as their treatment philosophy of choice.

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Module 11; "Proactive and Reactive models of Behavior Support" is a comprehensive module that is designed to focus support staff on avoiding behavior challenges in the first place. With an understanding of what influences behavior, teaching alternative ways of getting needs met, making use of focused support strategies and knowing how to respond when behavior does occur, direct support staff can better suport people through change.

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Module 13; "Professionalism" focuses on what it means to be professional at what we do. From work ethic to reliability and dress code, this module will help staff to see that professionalism is not just for doctors and lawyers, but a way of behaving within a set of values and a framework for being as effective in their work as possible.

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Module 12; "Professionalism" focuses on what it means to be professional at what we do. From work ethic to reliability and dress code, this module will help staff to see that professionalism is not just for doctors and lawyers, but a way of behaving within a set of values and a framework for being as effective in their work as possible.

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