Since 2004, our Center went through several major milestones thanks to the dedicated team and collaborative partners. The following is a brief synopsis of our history. From 2004, to today
Building the foundation:
2004
Acquisition of CDC earmark, recruit personnel, develop analogue classroom, travel and consultation with experts (e.g., UCLA, UCSD, LEAP, PCDI, Walden, TEACCH, Douglass DDC), develop website, newsletter, and various outreach events.
Designing the training foundation and curriculum:
2005
Conduct pilot and first full summer training session, continue team development, ongoing events (e.g., CSATC Annual Conference), begin Annual Awareness Fair, Make It Take It, and revised Next Steps, acquisition of funding (i.e., CDC, NMPT)
Extension of training model:
2006
continue popular events (e.g., MITI, Next Steps, Awareness Fair, Annual Conference), continue team development, expand summer training to 3 session, origination of innovative outreach efforts (e.g., HANDS made, Autism Trailer), begin IPS Collaboration, HANDS presentation at international meetings (e.g., ABA), acquire additional support (e.g., IN DOE, NMPT, FOE)
Expansion of training model:
2007
Continue outreach events, expand outreach materials, develop first IPS collaborative classroom, begin 2nd community classroom collaboration, ABA symposium presentation, continued support mechanisms (e.g., INDOE, FOE)
2008
Refine outreach events and materials, summer training and community collaborations, extend liaising efforts (medical and educational), and further integrate into special education and research communities (e.g., IMFAR, ABA, NATTAP, book chapters/articles), extend support mechanisms (e.g., INDOE, FOE, endowment, other)
2009
Refine training/outreach (e.g., web design and modules), multiple potential collaborations opportunities, increasing focus and capacity with community medical professionals (e.g., toolkits, presentations), and continued financial support
HANDS in Autism Center:
2010
expansion of training/outreach opportunities and web presence (e.g., modules, webinars, webcasts), multiple collaborations opportunities, increasing focus and capacity within the community (families, educational and medical professionals, and other members of the community), IUH Values grant to expand education and training to medical professionals, continued financial support, summit for LCC development
2011
Initial development and successes of Local Community Cadre chapters
2012
Recruited for representation in the media, advisory boards, community committees, etc.; train the trainer summit towards a new level of implementation and local capacity
2013
HANDS in Autism® as an IUSM Auxiliary, small grants and foundations, diversification of services and products
Larger state projects:
2014
HANDS becomes FSSA/BDDS sponsored facilitator of the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC); Chair of session at ABAI Autism; HANDS as a Research Core for CTSI; student project teams
2015
Expansion of HANDSmade™ supported employment programming, VR service provision and development of intensive trainings for VR providers with support from FSSA/Bureau for Rehabilitative Services
2016
Beginning international consultation for St. Andrew’s Autism Centre in Singapore
2017-2018
Expansion as PreETS provider for FSSA/Bureau for Rehabilitation Services
Innovation and sustainability through
2019-2022
- Expansion and diversification of intensive training opportunities
- Expansion of virtual training programs
- Active growth of online training programs through IU Expand
- In Partnership with IUSM and Damar to maintain the Neurodiagnostic Institute, HANDS in Autism provides services related to pre-hospitalization needs assessment; on-site support of unit employees and patients; family, school, and community training, and post-hospitalization support for sustainability.