Welcome to the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit’s (MCIU) Autism LEARN page! We invite you to explore our diverse activities, podcasts, and professional learning opportunities, all designed to highlight best practices and connect Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) within your programs.
Autism is a statewide special education initiative supported by Training and Consulting Specialists (TaC) in every Intermediate Unit across Pennsylvania. In Montgomery County, TaC specialists Cassie Brusch and Kari Kessler collaborate with our 21 local school districts to plan, implement, and continually enhance Autistic Support services across all grade levels. Their expertise spans ABA, Positive Behavior Supports, Puberty/Human Growth and Development for Students with Disabilities, and more. Through professional learning sessions, strategic planning, and facilitated discussions, Cassie and Kari are here to support districts in providing exceptional autism services.
Recent Autism Posts
How Much One-to-One Instruction is Too Much?
Designing Sustainable Programs: Classroom Structure and Visual Supports
Embracing Neurodiversity: Where Autism Fits
From Awareness to Acceptance: Rethinking “Light It Up Blue” on World Autism Day
ASERT | Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Justice System: Autism Services, Education, and Resources
PEAK
Structuring for Success
Essential for Living (EFL): A Comprehensive Functional Life Skills Curriculum for Diverse Learners
Structured Teaching and Why It’s Important
Montgomery County Resource Expo 2024
Autism Offerings
ASERT | Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Justice System: Autism Services, Education, and Resources
Structuring for Success
Programs
Competent Learner Model (CLM)
The Competent Learner Model (CLM) is a student-centered framework that integrates Direct Instruction, Verbal Behavior, and Applied Behavior Analysis to develop seven essential repertoires (talker, listener, observer, problem solver, participator, reader, and writer). By emphasizing skill generalization, shaping, and reinforcement, it fosters competence, adaptability, and independence in a wide range of educational settings.
Essential For Living (EFL)
Essential for Living (EFL) is a comprehensive functional skills curriculum and assessment system designed for individuals with moderate-to-severe disabilities, including autism. It integrates Applied Behavior Analysis, including Skinner’s verbal behavior and direct instruction strategies, and spans more than 3,000 skills applicable from preschool through adulthood.
Intensive Teaching (VB-MAPP)
Intensive Teaching (IT) is a structured instructional approach often delivered in one-to-one or small-group settings, emphasizing repeated practice, explicit instruction, and daily data collection. Frequently paired with the VB-MAPP assessment, it focuses on language and learning skills grounded in B.F. Skinner’s verbal operants, utilizing strategies like Errorless Teaching and Error Correction to support student progress.
PEAK
PEAK is a comprehensive ABA-based curriculum and assessment for learners with autism and developmental disabilities, expanding on B.F. Skinner’s work through derived relational responding (Relational Frame Theory). It features four modules covering 736 programs and a streamlined assessment, supporting both traditional behavioral methods and novel language development.
Structured Teaching
Structured Teaching is an instructional approach that leverages visually defined routines and organized environments to reduce anxiety, clarify expectations, and promote independence for learners with autism. By emphasizing clear physical structure, visual schedules, and work systems, it fosters smoother transitions, less challenging behavior, and stronger receptive language skills.
Podcast Episodes
Meet the Team
Reach out to any of the team members for more information.
