MISSION

The purpose of The Autism Project (TAP) is to provide a center of excellence for services, knowledge, and best practices related to living, and working, with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Our commitment to this mission is defined by:

• dissemination of the best available scientific knowledge through
  • topical classes for university students
  • professional development workshops for teachers and clinicians
  • parent outreach programs
• advocacy for implementation of best teaching practices by
  • providing information on evidence-based practices
  • creating opportunities for direct hands-on learning
  • creating a repository of information on current knowledge and best practices
• creation of a broad community of parents, teacher, clinicians, administrators, and scientists to engage in dialogue
  • through the creation of “virtual families” (connected through technology and spanning broad geographical regions) to engage in dialogue about living in the context of ASD
  • through clinics where families have access to educational specialists, counselors, and medical professionals for consultation
• generation of new knowledge about autism spectrum disorders and the effects of ASD on learning and family environments by
  • creating affiliations with teachers, clinicians, and scientists across all disciplines to add to the body of knowledge about the amenability of ASD characteristics to intervention
  • partnering with other educational services and organizations to test the efficacy of interventions