Virginia bill expands autism training for school personnel

Instructional personnel and school board employees who work alongside autistic students will have optional, advanced professional development opportunities, according to recent legislation. 

Sen. William Stanley Jr., R-Franklin, sponsored Senate Bill 1293, which passed both chambers unanimously. School instructors and employees will have the annual option for advanced training to better support autistic students.

Educators and staff need training that helps develop coping mechanisms versus relying on practices of restraint, according to Stanley. Too often autistic students are placed in one room with not enough staff, who have also not had enough training, Stanley said to a Senate Education and Health subcommittee on Jan. 23.

The program will help educators and staff with effective communication, behavioral recognition and support strategies when working with autistic students. 

"We're dealing with students with compassion, understanding and knowledge rather than reacting to a situation that they may not understand," Stanley said.

Personnel who complete the training will be eligible for professional development points that go toward their license renewal, based on the in-person hours of completed coursework.

John Cimino, attorney and public policy advocate with the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, testified in support of the bill. The organization wants to ensure students with autism receive the care, services and support that can help eliminate seclusion and restraint in school rooms.

Advocates such as the Virginia Education Association and the Autism Society of Central Virginia think the strategy will be beneficial to teachers and students.

“We appreciate the thoughtfulness and design of not adding things onto teachers' plates, but giving them resources to better serve their students,” said VEA policy analyst Chad Stewart.

Stanley worked with the ASCV to figure out the best way for educators to get more professional development, and students to get more support, according to Executive Director Ann Flippin.

The number of students in the classroom who are diagnosed with autism has increased, Flippin said.

Around 17% of children from ages 3 to 17 are diagnosed with a developmental disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data reported by parents from 2009-2017.

Advocates in Virginia received guidance and mentorship from colleagues in Massachusetts who passed similar legislation, Flippin said..

“Right now, it's all about the awareness that this is available for teachers and kind of encouraging them, trying to make sure it's getting approved for continuing education credits,” Flippin said. 

The ASCV provides teachers with resources that can help them understand the signs of autism, and tools to improve communication. 

“So really creating those more understandings and really equipping them with tools and resources so that it is helpful to everyone,” Flippin said. 

Flippin hopes that Gov. Glenn Youngkin will sign off on the bill. The ASCV plans to start working with the Virginia Department of Education to create material for the professional development program.