Improving education for students with autism spectrum disorder: HANDS in Autism training and user rating profile insights

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the HANDS in Autism® training program by analyzing pre- and post-training User Rating Profiles (URPs) completed by educators and school personnel. The training aimed to improve the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The analysis covered URP categories such as Time and Intensity, Attitude and Motivation, Knowledge and Understanding, Implementation Barriers, and Perceived Effectiveness. Post-training results showed improvements across most categories, suggesting a positive shift in perception, confidence, and application of EBPs. Findings support the importance of structured training programs in enhancing educational outcomes for students with ASD and provide insight into refining future training modules based on participant feedback.