Who We Are

Mission

The Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) strives to be Kentucky's leading resource on autism. KATC trains and collaborates with stakeholders through the implementation of evidence based practices to build knowledge and confidence.

Vision

The Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) is committed to improving the quality of life for autistics in the state of Kentucky - through all stages and settings of life. 

History

The Kentucky Autism Training Center is a university-based program with a legislative mandate to enhance outcomes for all Kentuckians with ASD. KATC strives to "bridge the research to practice gap" by leveraging resources, building sustainable collaborative relationships, and “scaling-up” the use of evidence-based practices in all regions of Kentucky.

In 1996, the Kentucky General Assembly established the Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) to serve as a statewide resource for families and educators. KATC is housed at the University of Louisville’s College of Education and Human Development. For 25 years the KATC supported individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing hands-on training for educators in the classroom, hosting workshops for families, and conducting professional development sessions.

The role of the KY Autism Training Center is to:

• Provide resource information and evidence based professional development training for the systems of support for individuals with ASD in education, early childhood, mental health, and employment.

• Empower families through providing resource, services and support information and evidence based training opportunities (i.e. videos, workshops)

• Provide outreach through the development and dissemination of resource materials, videos, and other evidence-based information for the community

• Develop evidence-based models and practices for educators, schools and families

• Build regional capacity through a collaborative partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education to develop training and technical assistance for schools and school districts

Our Goals 

KATC will create, grow, and maintain relationships with service systems and providers that serve individuals with ASD and their families through the following:

• Use technology to promote KATC, distribute informational materials, and communicate with families and professionals.

• Increase communication with educational leaders in Kentucky and report finding to diverse audiences.

• Develop relationship with early interventions service systems to promote early identification, diagnostics and the use of appropriate & evidence practices.

• Develop relationship with mental health service system and providers to promote the use of appropriate & evidence practices.

• Develop relationship with adult service system and providers to promote the use of appropriate & evidence practices.

• Develop relationships with established family groups and disseminate information to "underserved" populations.

KATC will develop materials and supports consistent with evidence-based practices for families, educators, and service providers:

• Utilize technology to disseminate information to families and professionals.

• Develop resources, planning processes and communication mechanisms for educators.

• Provide basic information about resources, supports, services and evidence-based practices to families and professionals.

• Provide religions communities with basic information about building supportive environments for families affected by autism and empower support groups to develop relationships with religious communities.

KATC will provide direct training consistent with evidence-based practices to families, educators, and service providers across the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

• Provide web-based content regarding evidence-based practice.

• Provide information regarding evidence based practices, data collection, coaching and program planning for educators, early interventionists, professionals supporting adults and family members.

 Strategies to implement strategic plan:

• Purposefully integrate individuals and families into network, program, and resource planning.

• Use a variety of technology-based delivery and communication systems to connect with families and professionals.

• Promote the development of seamless systems of individual and family support in early intervention, mental health, education, and employment.

• Extend the regional capacity development approach to early intervention, mental health, and employment.

• Target general and special educators and administrators with information and resources about ASD. Support all school professionals in their efforts to provide students with ASD access to all school environments and the general education curriculum.

• Establish and conduct collaborative activities with University partners.

Our Beliefs

• The KY Autism Training Center believes all people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have value, can contribute to society and are unique. All people with ASD and their families deserve access to seamless systems of multidisciplinary support across the lifespan and communities need to be prepared to embrace all individuals with autism. Support and services should be person-centered and early diagnosis, followed by early intervention, can improve outcomes

• We believe that professionals need support and resources in order to sustain evidence-based practices and master new skills. The fidelity of evidence-based practice is the basis of effective service delivery across communities and comprehensive planning and data based decisions are essential for continuous improvement of the processes and outcomes of our work. Also, attracting professionals to the field of ASD is important to the sustainability of services.

• Although the changing political and social environments will continue to place a demand on flexibility and creativity, when we educate individuals with ASD, our goal is to aim for personal independence and social responsibility.