Serving children with disabilities, particularly autism, comes with its own set of unique challenges. But professionals serving these students in schools across Kansas say the Kansas Technical Assistance System Network’s (TASN) Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports (ATBS) program provides the support system they need to help these students work toward their educational goals. 

Jennifer Roth, a special education teacher at Indian Hills Elementary School, Auburn-Washburn USD 437, said the most rewarding aspect of teaching children with autism is when they become successful at something they’ve been working diligently on for a while. 

“The joy and celebration that comes from those moments lights up everyone in the room,” she said. “I’ve been blessed to work in the same classroom the past four years and the growth I have witnessed in my students is nothing short of inspiring.”  

Roth credits much of that success to the services she gets from the TASN ATBS staff. 

“They have shaped me into the educator I am today,” she said. “I’ve learned how to individualize instruction, how to train staff, take data in meaningful ways, structure a student’s learning environment and routines, use and create visual supports, and use many evidence-based practices that have made a tremendous impact on my students' learning.” 

“They gave me the tools that I didn’t know I needed,” added Beth Maloun, a SPED teacher at Wanamaker Elementary School, in USD 437, about TASN ATBS’ staff. “They taught me how to structure my classroom and my teaching, how to use visuals, how to gather and use the data in multiple ways. They also helped me teach the staff that I work with and coach them to become better teachers. I’ve learned how to work with all sorts of students with varying degrees of autism and how to get to know them and meet them where they are.” 

Kaylie Collins, a special education teacher at State Street Elementary School, Topeka USD 501, said while resources remain limited in teaching complex learners, the support she has received from the TASN ATBS has been “life changing.” 

“I felt like I was drowning in my first year of teaching, trying to figure out how to best meet my students' needs, and I had no idea,” she said. “The first TASN training that I was able to go to opened the door for me to be able to have a community of educators to bounce ideas off and learn from. Each training felt like a missing piece of the puzzle that I was able to utilize to give my students a high-quality education that challenged them while also meeting them where they are at in order to make learning a fun and positive experience for them.” 

Evelyn Tradio, a special education consulting teacher in Topeka USD 501, said even with the depth of experience she has, TASN ATBS helped her and her district’s SPED team with professional development to combat burnout, staffing shortages, and find new ways to collaborate with families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

“Being in this district leadership role, when I run out of ideas to help support IEP teams to meet the complex needs of students with ASD, TASN often helps me brainstorm additional ideas and strategies, and helps us identify the resources within our district to address those specific needs,” she said. 

The staff of the High Plains Educational Cooperative (HPEC) in Ulysses have to work creatively to overcome the unique obstacles in delivering services to children with ASD and other disabilities in 17 districts - spanning 10,000 square miles - in western Kansas.  

“This makes it essential for HPEC to be proactive in seeking partnerships, utilizing technology for virtual consultations and trainings, and maximizing the impact of every on-site visit,” said Kim Cruz, assistant director of HPEC. “Our team works hard to ensure that distance and resource limitations do not become barriers to student success.” 

Cruz said the partnership with TASN ATBS helps fill the gaps in professional development and cooperation for her staff, interrelated teachers and other district SPED staff who serve children with ASD and other disabilities in western Kansas. 

“One of the most effective processes between our two entities is the seamless communication and collaboration that occurs when support is needed,” she said. “When staff members identify a need for additional expertise or training, they reach out to the HPEC administrative team, who then coordinate with our TASN ATBS consultant. This process ensures that requests are addressed efficiently and that appropriate supports are put in place in a timely manner.” 

April is Autism Awareness Month. Click here for more information about the work of the TASN ATBS.