Personnel Certification and Specialized Service Providers for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Queries: An Occasional Paper Compiling States' Approaches to Current Topics

In response to states' interest, NECTAC (National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center) queried Part C and Section 619 Coordinators regarding certification or endorsements for personnel working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how states provide services for children diagnosed with ASD. Responses were received from 19 Part C program coordinators, 15 Section 619 program coordinators, and 7 coordinators who represented both programs in their states. Across the three types of respondents, ten, or about one-fourth of those responding, reported to have an ASD certification, endorsement or credential available in their states. States commented on other ASD-related requirements for personnel (i.e., certified behavioral analysts, requiring the team to have one professional with experience with ASD or recommended competencies). Those who reported that their program did have an ASD certification, endorsement or credential were asked to give their perception of the number of children with ASD who received services from such professionals. Across the three types of respondents, the proportion of children with ASD diagnoses who received services from ASD certified or endorsed personnel, 3 said "few," 3 said "some," 3 said "many," and 1 said "nearly all/all." The second topic in the survey addressed ASD specialty providers, defined as state-funded direct service agencies that provide specialized services to children with ASD. Part C and Section 619 Coordinators were asked if their states had ASD specialty providers and if so, their perception of the number of children with ASD who received services from those specialty providers. Thirteen of 19 Part C respondents reported having state funded direct service agencies that provide specialized services to children with ASD and about half of these reported "many" or "almost all" children with ASD received services from those providers. Half of the Section 619 respondents reported state-funded ASD specialty providers and four of the five reported "some" to "many" children with ASD received services from those providers. Respondents also commented on ways to access specialty services within their states. (Contains 1 footnote.