Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • OUT-OF-FIELD TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

    If you have been identified as teaching out-of-field in Autism, you are mandated to take a minimum of six semester hours of college coursework in Autism Spectrum Disorder prior to the end of April in the school year in which you were placed out-of-field. You must continue to complete out-of-field training each school year or until you have obtained certification in Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Note that failure to comply will impact your future placement/assignments up to including non-renewal of your contract.

    Your out-of-field record will remain open until you have added Autism Spectrum Disorder to your certificate. Parent notification will be required to be sent home to the parents of the affected students.  Once you obtain the certificate reflecting Autism Spectrum Disorder, be sure to notify certificationrequests@browardschools.com so your out-of-field record can be closed.  Note: no money is saved by waiting to add a certification area to your certificate when you submit your application for renewal and/or your initial professional certificate.  You are urged to apply immediately for the addition once you have met and can document the subject area requirements.

    REQUIREMENTS TO ADD AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER:

    NOTE: You must hold certification in ESE to be eligible (after completion of all subject area requirements) to add this area to your certificate.

    OPTION 1:

    Complete the district's state-approved in-service program through the state's Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) portal. The program requires completion of the three in-service courses listed below. Further information can be found here.  

    • The content of the ASD endorsement courses is quite rigorous and includes field experience.  
    • The courses are offered on a 12-week cycle.
    • The Nature & Needs of Students with Autism course is a prerequisite. 

    Nature and Needs, Assessment, and Diagnosis of ASD with Field Experience; component #2100001; 80 in-service points

    Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports for Students with ASD with Field Experience; component #2100002; 80 in-service points

    Augmentative/Alternative Communication Systems and Assistive /Instructional Technology for Students with ASD with Field Experience; component #2100003; 80 in-service points

    NOTE: There is limited capacity for the ASD Endorsement program via BEESS.  If the courses are full, you will need to utilize another option (below) to begin satisfying ASD training requirements  

    Upon completion of the courses, participants will be given a Certificate of Completion.  To add the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Endorsement to your certificate, you must apply for the addition via online application to the Florida Department of Education here (ensure that you "affiliate" your online application with Broward).  

    Payment is made via the district's online payment portal here.  

    Once the application and payment are submitted, send an email to certificationrequests@browardschools.com and indicate that you have applied for the addition of the ASD Endorsement, have paid the fee (you must attach a copy of the payment verification), and attach a copy of your Certificate of Completion.

    Please allow up to eight weeks for processing of your addition.

    OPTION 2:

    Complete six semester hours of college coursework to satisfy requirements for two of the following areas: (a), (b), (c), or (d) of the ASD Endorsement subject area requirements. Note: one of the courses you complete must include field experience. Details regarding the ASD Endorsement subject area requirements are found at the Florida Department of Education web site.

    Note that two years of full-time instructional experience in working with ASD students can be used to satisfy the remaining requirements after the six semester hours noted above have been completed. To document the experience your principal must complete and submit the Verification of Teaching Experience form. The form must document your experience in working with ASD students specifically. NOTE: The verification form must be submitted to the Talent Acquisition & Operations (Instructional) Department, Attn: Certification. DO NOT send the form to the Florida Department of Education as indicated on the form.

    OPTION 3:

    If you have a certificate in ESE and can document at least two years of full-time teaching experience with students with ASD between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2011 then you may use the experience to be considered as infield for the assignment. You must also have satisfactory evaluations during the period the experience was gained. Note that while using experience during the time period noted will make you infield, it will not enable you to add the ASD Endorsement to your certificate. To do so, you will need to complete the course requirements as outlined above in option one.

    If you can meet the experience requirement noted in this option, please have your principal submit an original letter, on school letterhead, indicating the period in which you gained the experience.  The letter must include a statement that you worked with ASD students and that you had satisfactory evaluations during the period.  The letter must be signed and dated by your principal and submitted to the Talent Acquisition & Operations (Instructional) Department; attn: Certification

    Once you have completed all courses required to add the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement you will need to submit an application, fee, and official transcripts (indicating completion of the required courses) to the Florida Department of Education for the addition.  

    NOTE: The Infield Status Rubric is not an option for satisfying out-of-field requirements in the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorder.