Project ImPACT Provider Training

ABOUT PROJECT IMPACT: Project ImPACT is an evidence-based intervention that teaches social communication
to children with autism spectrum (ASD) and related disorders ages 18 months to 6 years. It uses a blend of
developmental and naturalistic behavioral intervention (ABA) strategies that are compatible with a variety of
intervention models. It can be used in as a direct intervention or a parent-mediated intervention. The parent
training component uses effective methods for teaching parents and can be implemented in either an individual
or group format.

MATERIALS: The curriculum, Teaching Social Communication to Children with Autism,

includes a trainer’s manual with detailed procedures for conducting each session,
PowerPoint presentations for the group sessions, a DVD with examples of parents using
the intervention techniques with their children, and a variety of forms for the trainer. It
also includes a parent manual which provides a description of each technique in parent-
friendly language and homework. All providers who plan to use the program with parents
should have consistent access to the trainer manual and each family receiving parent
training should also receive their own copy of the parent manual. The manuals can be
ordered from Guilford Press (www.guilford.com) or from Amazon (www.Amazon.com). If you order directly from
Guilford Press, you can receive a 15% discount by entering the code “2e” for the Special Promotional Price.

PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS: Both professionals and paraprofessionals can be successfully trained to use Project
ImPACT as a direct intervention with young children with ASD and related disorders. Providers who wish to
provide parent training in Project ImPACT should have an educational degree beyond a bachelor’s or the
academic equivalent from your country of origin (e.g., MA, Ph.D., MFT, SLP, OT).

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP: We offer an Introductory Workshop to help prepare intervention providers to

implement Project ImPACT with children and families. These workshops are conducted periodically at Michigan
State University in East Lansing, Michigan, usually in May. The cost of the workshop is $395. At the end of the
workshop, attendees will be provided with a certificate of completion. We can also provide a limited number of
onsite trainings to community organizations. Onsite Workshops can be 2-day or 3-day, depending on the needs
of the organization. We allow organizations to cost-share to offset the cost of hosting an onsite workshop.
3-Day Option: The 3-day workshop provides initial preparation for providers to implement the ImPACT
intervention directly with children with ASD and the parent training model with caregivers. All professionals and
paraprofessionals who plan to use the intervention with children should attend the first two days. Professionals
who plan to use the parent training model should also attend the third day. The cost of the 3-day Workshop is
$7500.
2-Day Option: We also offer a 2-day workshop that covers the same material as the 3-day version with the
addition of an Online Tutorial that must be completed prior to the 2-day workshop. All professionals and
paraprofessionals who work directly with children with ASD should complete the Online Tutorial and attend the
first day. Professionals who plan to use the parent training model should also attend the second day. The cost of
the 2-day Workshop is $5000, which includes the cost of the Online Tutorial.

BECOMING CERTIFIED IN PROJECT IMPACT: Providers who wish to ensure that they are implementing Project
ImPACT with fidelity and who wish to train and supervise others within their organization in Project ImPACT
should become certified in the program. We recommend organizations pursue certification for a minimum of 2

MSU Autism Research Lab | 136 Physics Rd. | Psychology Bldg, Rm 69F | East Lansing MI 48823 | Phone: 517-432-8031
www.psychology.msu.edu/autismlab
providers in order to develop staff expertise and ensure program sustainability. Once the provider has
completed individual consultation AND has met fidelity of implementation for the intervention and coaching
model, they can train and supervise other providers in their organization with whom they interact regularly.
Certification in Project ImPACT involves the following steps.

Prerequisite Qualifications
 Work regularly with 12-60 month-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disorders
 Have educational degrees beyond a bachelor’s or the academic equivalent from your country of
origin (e.g., MA, Ph.D., MFT, SLP, OT);
 Have the resources to submit training materials (after the workshop is complete) to our center for
consultation and fidelity review.

Certification Process
Step 1: Order and read the Project ImPACT curriculum
Step 2: Complete the Online Tutorial and attend the 2-day Introductory Workshop or attend the 3-day
Introductory Workshop
Step 3: Receive individual consultation from a Certified Project ImPACT Consultant within 2 months of
attending the Introductory Workshop (see description below)

Individual Consultation: Consultation involves 6, 1-hour consultation meetings with an ImPACT Training via
phone or skype. The provider must submit training materials and video for review prior to each consultation
meeting. Most providers are able to achieve fidelity in the intervention and parent training model after these
sessions. The cost of individual consultation is $2000 for video review and 6 consultation meetings. If the
provider does not achieve fidelity, s/he may submit additional video for review at $100 per video until fidelity is
achieved. Once the provider has achieved fidelity, s/he will receive a certificate indicating s/he has met fidelity of
implementation.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPTION: We can provide organizations near East Lansing, Michigan with on-going group
consultation meetings for multiple providers who have completed the Introductory Workshop to assist them in
their implementation of Project ImPACT. Group consultation meetings involve feedback on case presentations,
problem-solving around difficult cases, peer supervision strategies, and group discussion of implementation
issues. This option is designed for organizations in which one or more staff members are pursuing certification
and is not a replacement for individual consultation for obtaining certification. The cost of group supervision is
$300 per meeting.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Brooke Ingersoll at:
ingers19@msu.edu or 517-432-8412.

MSU Autism Research Lab | 136 Physics Rd. | Psychology Bldg, Rm 69F | East Lansing MI 48823 | Phone: 517-432-8031
www.psychology.msu.edu/autismlab