Florida's First Choice for Autism Supports

F1B: Small Town, Done Right: PEPSA Project Revisited 10 years Later

January 16, 2026 10:15am 11:30am Salon 2

AbstractAbstract: In 2015-16 we had the opportunity to participate in the CARD UF Gainesville PEPSA Project targeting 2 general education elementary students with autism. Through the project, we charted the progress of these students through academic, social, and developmental growth through a collaboration between the general education teacher, ESE teacher, and speech-language pathologist as well as the impact of what we did to help these students on the other students in the class. At the time of our PEPSA project, students with autism are being included in the general education classroom more than ever. We were finding areas where students with autism soared to success, but also areas where there were barriers to success. We wanted to work as a team to help students with autism find the most success possible and work to the potential that we as adults know that they possess. We wanted to increase our repertoire of motivational techniques as well as create strategies to aid in meeting the demands of the Florida State Standards. Ten years later, we take a look back at this project and these students. Where are these students now? Did the interventions we put in place carryover throughout their educational careers? How do we make sure there is a continuity to services from elementary to high school and beyond?
Objectives1. Participants will understand how a focus on social skills can facilitate present and future learning.
2. Participants will understand how interventions and accommodations change over time.
3. Participants will understand how a team approach can be used to ensure continuity of services over time.
Communication Education Social Skills

Speakers

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