Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD)

08/27/2026

Have you ever watched a strategy work in your child's preschool and wondered, “How do I do that at home?”

TRIAD’s free series of online modules, “Common Preschool Strategies to Use at Home,” gives you the tools to do just that.

Create a free account or log in to access:

https://bit.ly/45MOtLT

🧩 Topics include:

-Environmental arrangement

-Naturalistic teaching

-Reinforcement

-Schedules

-Story-based interventions

-Task analysis

👉 Explore the free modules at your own pace and start supporting your child’s success at home.

Which topic are you most excited to learn more about? Tell us in the comments!

08/13/2026

Do you ever wish you had more strategies to support your young autistic child (ages 2–7)?

TRIAD's Families First Program offers free quick tip videos with simple, practical strategies to support your child — and your whole family.

View quick tip videos: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/8Kx6eDMk6QUphF5E735B2t

🔍 Explore strategies to support your child across key areas such as:

-Daily routines and early foundational skills
-Communication and engagement
-Home and community routines
-Caregiver self-care and mindfulness

And more!

🌱 Small strategies make a big difference — start exploring today on the Families First website: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/triad/fam/

-Watch Families First videos.
-Explore other Families First resources.
-Subscribe for updates.

What’s one routine you’d love more support with? Tell us in the comments! 💬

Vidyard video

08/05/2026

Are you a caregiver of a child with a disability? Ready to help your child explore their interests and connect with resources in your community?

This tip sheet helps you:

• Identify your child’s interests

• Find community resources that support those interests

• Encourage exploration and participation

• Adapt environments to support success

Remember — leisure is a skill you can teach. Practicing at home and at school builds confidence.

Check out TRIAD’s tip sheet today and help your child build confidence, independence and joy.

View the tip sheet:https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/triad/tips/Identifying_Child%E2%80%99s_Interests_Finding_Resources_Community.pdf

👇 What's one activity your child loves to do for fun? Share in the comments — we'd love to hear from you!

07/29/2026

Watch the recorded webinar: A Focus on Relating

Part of TRIAD's Behavioral Support Strategies for Autistic Learners series.

In this session, you will:

• Reflect on current understandings of autism.

• Explore the social model of disability.

• Learn strategies to build strong adult–student relationships.

🎥Watch the recording now to gain practical tools for supporting autistic students.

https://share.vidyard.com/watch/VjEtYYzrtnDSKLycEpoTVf

Want to dive deeper? Access the other three webinars in the Behavioral Support Strategies for Autistic Learners series (A Focus on Redirecting, Responding, and Refocusing) on VKC Learning.

Access the rest of the webinars in the series:
Log in or register at https://triad.vkclearning.org/en-us/

Access the other webinars directly: https://tinyurl.com/5t497xds

💬 What's one relationship-building strategy you're excited to try with your students?

Vidyard video

07/22/2026

How does intentional reinforcement support student success in your classroom?

🔍 Explore TRIAD’s Introduction to Reinforcement Module and learn how to implement a reinforcement system that meets student needs and promotes meaningful success.

Log in or create a free account to access this module: https://tinyurl.com/2tpc6zue

This module supports educators as they:

-Understand why reinforcement is important

-Learn how reinforcement benefits autistic learners

-Distinguish clearly between a reinforcer and a reward

-Examine common school‑based scenarios and identify opportunities for improvement

Reinforcement is not about giving rewards.

Reinforcement is about building skills, increasing engagement and supporting student success.

👉Learn more, strengthen your practice and support students with intention.

What reinforcement strategies currently support success in your classroom?

07/17/2026

Medical visits are often unpredictable and stressful for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Visual supports can help!

TRIAD’s medical visual supports — visual schedules, social narratives, First/Then boards, and choice boards —use pictures and simple language to show what will happen and what comes next.

Explore TRIAD’s free medical visual supports — available in both English and Spanish — and use them at your next appointment: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/triad/visual-supports/medical

🏥 Medical professionals and caregivers can use these tools throughout medical visits to:

-Prepare patients before appointments.

-Explain procedures step by step.

-Support waiting and transitions.

-Reduce anxiety and improve cooperation.

Use them during check-in, physical exams, blood draws, vaccinations and other medical procedures.

Clear visuals reduce uncertainty and improve the care experience.

💭Which visual support will you use first?

07/10/2026

Do you have a student who has difficulty communicating throughout the school day? Communication boards may help!

Communication boards are a rapid‑access or paper‑based form of augmentative and alternative communication. They use symbols, objects, photographs, or line drawings to support communication across classroom routines.

Many students who use these require multiple ways to communicate, so educators should use communication boards in combination with other forms of communication to support students’ communication needs throughout the school day.

💬(speech bubble emoji) Self‑advocate and educational consultant Chloe Rothschild shares:

“I use spoken words to communicate, so people often assume I don’t need alternative methods. However, I don’t always have access to my spoken words. Sometimes, especially during times of dysregulation, the pathway that carries spoken words from my brain to my mouth becomes blocked. When this happens, I get stuck. In those moments, having multiple communication options—such as communication boards and other forms of AAC—is beneficial, supportive, and effective.”

— Chloe Rothschild, Educational Consultant and Autistic Self-Advocate

Want to learn more?

Explore TRIAD’s Communication Board Tip Sheet for practical guidance and next steps for using communication boards:https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/triad/tips/Communication_Boards.pdf

Have you used communication boards in your classroom? Share your experience below!

07/08/2026

Want to better understand why some students engage in echolalia, or repeat words or phrases?

Echolalia isn’t just repetition. It is a powerful and meaningful tool for developing expressive language. When educators understand why students use echolalia, they build stronger relationships and support student learning more effectively.

Explore TRIAD’s online learning module about echolalia!

Log in or create a free account to access the module: https://tinyurl.com/4n988kjz

📚 In this module, you’ll learn how to:

-Understand what echolalia is and why autistic students use it

-Identify the different purposes echolalia can serve

-Implement effective strategies to support students in the classroom

-Understand the purpose behind echolalia to build more meaningful connection and support.

Share what you want to learn most about supporting students who use echolalia!

06/24/2026

Looking for practical, evidence‑based ways to support autistic students in your school‑age classroom? This resource can support you.

📘 TRIAD’s online learning courses include short, self‑paced modules (10–20 minutes) that highlight evidence‑based practices and outline clear classroom strategies.

📄 The Supporting Learners with Autism in the School‑Age Classroom tip sheet links directly to modules that strengthen learning environments and increase student engagement and independence.

View the tip sheet:https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/triad/tips/Ind_Learn_Modules.pdf

🆓 Register for a free account at triad.vkclearning.org

🌱 Strengthen classroom environments and support meaningful learning for autistic students.

06/17/2026

🤝 Inclusion grows from intentional practices that promote tolerance, belonging and integration across learning environments. It depends on strong coordination among students, caregivers, classroom staff, administrators and specialized support staff.

🏫 Inclusion extends beyond one room or one part of a school. It reflects a range of experiences that show students are not only physically and socially present, but actively engaged in ways that are meaningful to them and enriching to their peers.

📘 Explore TRIAD’s What Is Inclusion? tip sheet to see how schools can create learning environments that support meaningful participation for every student.

View the tip sheet:https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/triad/tips/FAPE_Tip_Sheet.pdf