- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- The START Initiative
Exceptional Student Education
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DPSCD START Initiative
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Let's get it STARTed!!
What is START?
The Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) program is dedicated to providing evidence-based training, technical assistance and coaching support, and resources for educators that support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
What is the START Mission?
To work with schools within DPSCD, community partners, & families to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to become active, engaged members of their schools & local communities and successfully move into adulthood as independent individuals with many choices & opportunities
What is the START vision?
To create an inclusive, equitable environment utilizing a systematic approach to engage students with autism. To promote the implementation of evidence-based practices to increase independence, active engagement and socialization for students with exceptionalities and their peers. To build the knowledge, skillset and confidence of EVERY school team, family member and community partner who work to support students on the autism spectrum.
START Core Values:
- Capacity Building: To increase the knowledge and skills of trainers, coaches, and school teams to make systematic changes and utilize evidence-based practices to increase student success.
- Inclusion: To establish a community where everyone has a sense of belonging and the opportunity to live and learn alongside peers.
- Collaboration: To work together with families, schools, community partners and state initiatives to share ideas and resources, coordinate efforts, and improve outcomes for students.
- Evidence-Based Practice: To ensure our efforts to teach and support students are based on the best science and practice in order to achieve positive outcomes.
- Responsible Stewardship: To manage and deploy our resources equitably to support our students and staff with building their capacity to support students with autism.
KEY ACTIVITY SPOTLIGHT: PEER TO PEER
Peer to Peer Support programs provide meaningful social opportunities for students with and without disabilities to meet, learn and spend time together throughout the school day while receiving guidance from school staff. The evidence-based practices create inclusive environments and changes attitudes leading to a more positive, accepting school culture.