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DoD Award: HT942524ARPCDA

PROJECT IMPACT-AUTISM

Internet-based Model for Paraeducators to Augment Comprehensive Treatment for Autistic Learners

  • PI: Dr. Art Dowdy
  • Temple University
  • Duration: 3 Years
  • PI: Dr. Art Dowdy
  • Temple University
  • Duration: 3 Years

Phase 1 — with project partners

  • William Penn School District — urban/suburban Philadelphia
  • NeurAbilities Healthcare — interdisciplinary care settings
  • Positive Behavior Change, LLC — DoDEA schools and military families
  • Develop and refine WBPDM content, structure, and platform before randomization

The problem

  • 56% of autistic students with challenging behavior engage in aggression; 74% in highly disruptive behavior
  • Paraeducators are frontline support, yet most lack formal training in evidence-based interventions
  • Military-connected students face added disruption from relocations every 2–3 years

Our solution — WBPDM

  • Fully online, adaptive to each paraeducator's needs
  • Video tutorials, bi-weekly live Q&A, peer forum, supplemental resources
  • Non-responders at Week 9 receive added video coaching + SMS performance feedback
  • Designed for DoDEA schools — flexible delivery suits deployment schedules
Week 0 Baseline measures collected
Week 1 Stage 1 randomization — WBPDM (n≈26) or Delayed Treatment Control (n≈26)
Weeks 1–9 WBPDM: online modules, video calls, forum
DTC: standard district professional development
Week 9 Fidelity assessment — video recordings coded by trained research assistants
Week 10 Stage 2 re-randomization for non-responders — continue basic WBPDM or add coaching + SMS feedback
Weeks 10–18 Assigned intervention continues; ongoing data collection
Week 18 Final assessments — fidelity, BASC-3/BIMAS-2, AIM/IAM/FIM, qualitative interviews

Four Specific Aims

Aim 1

Preliminary effectiveness:

measure paraeducator fidelity at Weeks 9 and 18 using pilot SMART with 52+ participants

Aim 2

Student outcomes:

assess impact on autistic students using BASC-3 and BIMAS-2 pre and post

Aim 3

Acceptability & feasibility:

mixed methods — AIM, IAM, FIM scales plus qualitative interviews

Aim 4

Dissemination:

preregistration, open-access publication, data sharing, stakeholder presentations

Key Numbers:

Paraeducators

52+ paraeducators

Duration

3-year study

Scale-up

5–10 year

Target reach

Nationwide