Qualified Autism Services Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S) Course

QASPS201 – Autism Core Knowledge

The unit gives an overview of the historical context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The unit focuses on common characteristics of ASD, differential diagnoses, common co-morbidity, core areas of functional impact, and methods of diagnosis.

Students will gain an understanding of ASD, including common characteristics and learning styles. Students will also learn to integrate autistic strengths when working with clients.

QASPS202 – Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations

The unit introduces legal, ethical, and professional considerations within the context of ABA. The unit focuses on QABA Code of Ethics to guide professional practice, such as record management and duty to protect. Relevant Educational laws (e.g., IDEA, LRE, IEP, ADA, Rehabilitation Act, 504 Plan) are also introduced in the unit.

Students will be able to define the role and scope of practice of a QASPS, and gain an overview of relevant legislations. Students will also learn to engage in ethical decision-making within the context of evidence based practice as well as to seek guidance and supervision when facing ethical dilemma.

QASPS203 - Core Principles of ABA

The unit introduces fundamental components involved in the scientific discipline of behavior analysis. The unit will focus on basic concepts to distinguish between respondent and operant behavior, and how basic environmental conditioning processes influence each type of behavior.

Students will gain an in depth understanding of core concepts and principles of behavior analysis, including reinforcement, punishment, extinction, motivation operation, stimulus control, and stimulus equivalence.

QASPS204 - Antecedent Interventions

The unit links core principles of ABA to increase behaviors that are socially valid. The unit focuses on selecting meaningful intervention goals and using common antecedent interventions to increase socially valid behaviors.

Students will gain an understanding of various antecedent interventions, and working knowledge to apply antecedent interventions to meet intervention goals.

QASPS205 - Skill Acquisition Programming

The unit explores the use of evidence-based behavior techniques, such as shaping, discrete trial teaching (DTT), chaining, and natural environment teaching (NET). The unit also focuses on to use data to inform teaching decisions (e.g., promoting maintenance and generalization of skills), with an emphasis on social inclusion of learners.

Students will learn to link core principles of ABA to various teaching protocols, and gain working knowledge to use behavior techniques to meet learner goals.

QASPS206 - Behavior Reduction Interventions

The unit introduces the concept of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to assess functions of behaviors of concern.

Students will learn to integrate assessment information, and deliver a function-based Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Students will gain working knowledge to take into consideration of risks of the behavior of concern, and ethical issues related to behaviour reduction interventions.

QASPS207 - Data Collection and Analysis

The unit introduces concepts of behaviour measurement, various behaviour assessment methods, and utilize Inter-observer Agreement (IOA) to increase reliability of behaviour measurement.

Students will learn to use behaviour measurement methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Students will also learn to identify and analyze graphic displays of data.

QASPS208 - Assessment

The unit provides an overview of various types of assessments commonly used in ABA; for example, preference assessment, Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA), FAST, ABLS, and RAISD. The unit also focuses on when and how these assessments are used.

Students will learn to conduct some commonly used assessment; for example, preference assessment and ABLS, and RAISD. Students will also learn to assist with the process of FBA.

QASPS209 - Training and Supervision

The unit introduces applications of behaviour analysis Behaviour Skills Training (BST), and the importance of systematically monitor treatment integrity.

Students will learn to utilize BST to train relevant stakeholders in treatment implementation. Students will also learn to deliver effective performance feedback, and support parents and staff.