Building Together Across Borders
The workshop brought together professionals, researchers, and advocates to explore innovative approaches to autism training and support. Highlights included:
- Core Components of the HANDS Model
Participants engaged with HANDS-ACT™, HANDS-FACT™, and AKS-R—tools designed to guide assessment, planning, and implementation.
- Hands-On Practice
Attendees practiced modules and applied strategies such as Schedule Mapping to enhance real-world application.
- Cross-Cultural Adaptations
The team shared insights on adapting autism training across Singapore and the United States, emphasizing cultural relevance and responsiveness.
- Scalable Strategies for Capacity Building
Discussions focused on sustainable approaches to training and mentorship across diverse systems.
- Implementation Science in Action
Presenters highlighted methods for measuring fidelity, monitoring outcomes, and informing global training efforts.
- Opportunities for Replication and Collaboration
The workshop emphasized the potential for expanding these efforts across countries, systems, and research agendas.
This event was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together across borders, disciplines, and lived experiences to strengthen autism services worldwide.
Participant Feedback from Singapore Training
The HANDS Singapore Overall Training Evaluation revealed strong positive outcomes:
- 80.0% of participants would highly recommend the training to others
- 81.8% reported no problems applying the strategies they learned
- 90.0% learned more than one skill to implement in their classroom or practice
This feedback reinforces the workshop’s impact and the effectiveness of the HANDS Model in diverse educational and clinical settings.
