Schools serve an essential function for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and complex needs. However, school-based instruction may be interrupted due to pandemics, natural disasters, and school shootings, and as a result, schools are forced to stop traditional services and begin teaching students in their homes. Fortunately, distance education strategies are available to mitigate brick and mortar interruptions. When rural schools close, they face unique challenges, such as proximity to students, and technology limitations. In this article, we describe strategies for teachers to develop instructional materials, communication supports, and behavioral supports. We also describe how caregivers might provide support, and how to teach caregivers the skills necessary for effective support implementation.

In this investigation, we surveyed 51 faculty members who were involved in teacher preparation programs in the area of extensive support needs (ESN) across a range of institutions of higher education. We asked participants to respond to questions related to the quality and quantity of program content focused on communication instruction and supports for students with ESN. Overall, findings indicated variability in the quality and quantity of teacher preparation–related communication instruction. In addition, participants described barriers related to teacher preparation in this area.

Modified schema-based instruction (MSBI) is a strategy to teach mathematical word problem solving to students with moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). In this comprehensive review, we explore the current state of research on MSBI to determine whether MSBI is an evidence-based practice (EBP) for students with MSD. We reviewed 12 studies, of which 11 met quality standards. Thirty-nine participants, all of whom participated in statewide alternate assessments, were included in these studies, the majority of whom were middle school students with intellectual disability. Four research teams explicitly targeted state content standards. The researcher served as interventionist in 82% of the studies. Although the overall effect size was very large (1.0 Tau), our findings suggest that MSBI is not yet an EBP for students with MSD. We provide an overview of current contextual factors and suggestions for future researchers to continue the investigation of MSBI.

Many students with extensive support needs (ESN) benefit from specific instruction as well as a range of communication supports to develop effective communication repertoires and fully participate in their educational experience. Although evidence-based practices and supports addressing the communication needs of students with ESN have been identified, there remain concerns about whether preservice special education teachers have been adequately prepared to implement them. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of preservice special education teachers related to their preparation in communication instruction for students with ESN. Participants reported varying levels of preparedness and a range of experiences in terms of the quantity and content of coursework and opportunities to apply knowledge and skills within their programs. We present implications for future research directions and teacher preparation programs.

Schools have continued to rely on paraeducators to assist special education teachers and other professionals in the provision of special education and related services. Although paraeducators often support students with extensive support needs (ESN) in a range of school environments, the subset of intervention studies focused on paraeducators who support students with ESN in inclusive settings has not been systematically reviewed. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize single-case research studies involving paraeducator-delivered interventions for students with ESN in inclusive school environments. Our findings suggest that research primarily has focused on communication and social skills interventions that involved paraeducator-facilitated peer supports in core academic classes and specials (e.g., art, music, physical education). Overall, paraeducator-delivered interventions resulted in improved student outcomes. Likewise, paraeducator training, which typically included an oral description, modeling, and/or performance feedback, was effective in improving paraeducator implementation of the target interventions. We present implications for practice specific to paraeducators who support students with ESN in inclusive settings and future research directions.

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have extensive support needs (ESN) may require support to develop appropriate social behavior. School‐wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is an evidence‐based framework to support the social and behavioral needs of all students. As an evidence‐based practice commonly used as a Tier 2 support within SWPBIS, check‐in/check‐out (CICO) has improved social behavior among students with and without disabilities. However, the literature on the efficacy of CICO does not include students with ASD who have ESN. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of traditional and adapted CICO as a Tier 2 support within the SWPBIS framework on the adherence to school‐wide expectations and challenging behavior of four elementary students with ASD who have ESN. Results of this multiple baseline across participants design study were inconclusive regarding challenging behavior and adherence to school‐wide expectations across participants. Further, social validity data collected from all participants indicated the intervention was feasible and an overall positive experience.

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Since the reopening of schools after COVID-19, students and staff have been required to wear face masks. Some students, including those with extensive support needs (ESN), may have difficulty in wearing these novel protective garments. Fortunately, researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of several procedures for supporting the wearing of similar equipment (e.g., glasses, hearing aids). In this paper, we draw upon the available research to propose a protocol for teaching students with ESN to put on and maintain the use of face masks.