Evaluating Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Classrooms Using The HANDS Model.

Abstract

This practicum, conducted at HANDS in Autism®, focused on evaluating the fidelity of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation across collaborative school sites using the HANDS Module-Based Rubric. The rubric is part of the School WORK™ framework and provides structured feedback on key instructional domains including environment setup, assessment, goal setting, teaching strategies, and behavioral interventions. Data were collected from multiple Indiana schools across several academic years and analyzed using REDCap and Microsoft Excel. Visual comparisons across sites and years revealed that Warsaw showed the highest fidelity of implementation, especially during the 2018–2019 school year. Tasks included data collection, visualization, and longitudinal analysis to identify trends and gaps in training outcomes. This practicum enhanced the student’s skills in data management, educational outcome tracking, and collaborative systems evaluation, while contributing to sustainable teacher training efforts for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).