About AutismToolbox.org
This site for people interested in Direct Instruction (DI), Verbal Behavior (VB), and Precision Teaching (PT) curriculum, development, and training. Anyone interested in Direct Instruction can request an account and post information or questions in the forum. This is a COMMUNITY SITE.
Autism Toolbox was formed in 2004 by a parent of children with a developmental disorder, a special education teacher, and a behavioral consultant and teacher. Originally named Parents of Autistic Children of Oregon, POAC of Oregon gained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2006 as a non-profit organization.
Our address is:
Autism Toolbox
2913 NW Lincoln Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97330
In September 2015, the organization was renamed Autism Toolbox. Originally, the nonprofit was named Parents of Autistic Children of Oregon (POAC-OR).
Board of Directors
Kathy Pusztavari, President
Kathy is a founding member of Autism Toolbox, formerly a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst, and a current certified pre-k through 8th grade Oregon teacher.
Nikki Deshane, Secretary
Nikki is working on her Master's degree through Penn State and her BCBA certification. She is a consultant and therapist for many families throughout the SW Washington and Portland area.
Leandrea Voskanian, Treasurer
Leandrea is a certified Special Education teacher with many hours of training and experience in ABA. She previously worked with several children with autism.
Steve Smith
Steve works at Oregon State University in the Radiation Center. He is an advisor on business issues for Autism Toolbox.
Our Mission
The goal of Autism Toolbox is to build capacity by providing scientifically-based on-line information, assessment tools, and curriculum to parents, teachers, and related personnel that provide direct services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
TEACHERS: Learn how to use effective Direct Instruction curriculum and utilize ABA principles that emphasize the teaching of verbal behavior.
ADMINISTRATORS: Learn how to save money, improve outcomes, and expand your in-house resources by training up local experts.
PARENTS: Learn how to become an integral part of the intervention.
Short Term Goals
Offer on-line Parent Guide
Create on-line assessments and curriculum developed in-house
Long Term Goals
Hold trainings in ABA and Direct Instruction
Bylaws
The corporations' purpose is to provide scientifically-based training to parents, teachers, and other direct service providers; to develop and provide educational programs; to encourage studies in the nature and causes of autism; to promote public awareness of same; and to raise and distribute funds for the purpose of research, education, and assistance to those affected with autism, their parents and those involved in the care and treatment of autistic children.
Mission
The goal of Autism Toolbox is to build capacity by providing scientifically-based on-line information, assessment tools, and curriculum to parents, teachers, and related personnel that provide direct services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
What Do We Offer?
We are creating curriculum that is:
- Free!
- In an electronic form
- Allows for multimedia (audio, video, images)
- Designed using scientifically based instructional principles
- Direct Instruction
- Precision Teaching (fluency)
- Applied Behavior Analysis/Verbal Behavior Curriculum)
Parents and teachers can use the curriculum for Preschool and Kindergarten through 5th graders to teach
- Early Language
- Reading
- Science
- Math
The curriculum is fully scripted - you just plug in what you will teach. This ensures an efficient teaching of skills and knowledge to mastery. Don't let the scripted nature give you a sense of simplicity. There is much research and history in the principles of explicit instruction.
