Developmental Disabilities, Autism, and Behavioral Support
Supporting people with developmental disabilities and autism: developmental differences, autism-informed care, communication and sensory differences, understanding dysregulation, positive behavior support, least-restrictive approaches, and family-centered care and rights.
Online, self-paced · about 40 minutes · graded exam and certificate
Who should take it
Clinicians, ABA professionals, behavioral technicians, direct-care staff, case managers and anyone who serves people with developmental disabilities or autism.
Introductory, strengths-based education. It doesn't replace discipline-specific training or supervision (for example, behavior analytic training and supervision for ABA staff) or state requirements for developmental disability services.
What employees will learn
- ✓Describe developmental disabilities, intellectual disability and autism in general terms.
- ✓Communicate in ways that fit the person, including with augmentative and alternative communication.
- ✓Recognize and accommodate sensory differences.
- ✓Understand dysregulation and the possible functions of behavior, including medical causes.
- ✓Apply positive behavior support and least-restrictive approaches.
- ✓Work in partnership with families and respect individuals' rights.
Topics covered
- •Developmental differences
- •Autism-informed care
- •Communication differences
- •Sensory processing considerations
- •Emotional and behavioral dysregulation
- •Positive behavioral supports
- •Family-centered care
- •Least-restrictive interventions
Sources this course is based on
- Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years: ADDM Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022 (MMWR, April 2025) · CDC
- CDC: Developmental Disabilities · CDC
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: definition of intellectual disability · Other
- Olmstead: community integration for everyone (ADA) · DOJ
This course is not accredited for continuing education credit and is not approved by a government agency. Training supports, but does not guarantee, your organization's compliance. Course content explains federal rules and accepted practice; state requirements may differ.