Professional Development Needs in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Practitioner Community: Facts Uncovered From an Email Listserv

• In Event: Autism: Perspectives, Practices, and Professional Development

Abstract

Practitioners who provide educational services to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are charged with addressing students’ heterogeneous needs. To better prepare practitioners, we turn directly to their voices by analyzing the content of email messages posted on a practitioner listserve. Results revealed themes and issues practitioners encountered during service delivery. ASD practitioners expressed challenges in a range of areas, especially in addressing challenging behaviors and social issues. The professional community often recommended research-supported practices or commercially available materials, though rather limited in scope. The quality of responses/suggestions indicates potential areas for professional development (PD). Future research of a larger and more representative sample is warranted to further explore the particular needs of PD within the ASD practitioner community.

Authors

• Veronica Fleury

• Xiaoning Wang, Florida State University