University of Colorado at Denver

Where we are located

The PDA Center at the University of Colorado at Denver is housed at the Positive Early Learning Experiences (PELE) Center. The PELE Center hosts a variety of research and training grants focused on: a) prevention of aggression and anti-social behavior; b) long-term follow-up studies of children with autism and children with conduct disorders, c) prevention and remediation of challenging behavior, d) promotion of social emotional development in young children, and building competence in professionals and families to facilitate the development of young children; and e) the Learning Experiences: An Alternative Program for Preschoolers and Parents (LEAP) Preschool Program. The LEAP program will serve as the primary training site for the PDA Center.

The LEAP program in Colorado is located in the Douglas County School District. The inclusive preschools in Douglas County Colorado consist of two classroom sessions, each serving up to 15 students (approximately 10-11 students who are typically developing and 4-5 students with ASD or other disabilities), ages 3-5 years. The preschool program operates three hours per day, five days a week for nine months of the year within local elementary schools.

Services for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

The LEAP program began in 1981 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a federally funded model demonstration program serving young children with autism and typical children, ages 3-5 years, within an inclusive preschool program. In 1998, a model replication LEAP site began in Colorado as a cooperative effort between the Colorado Department of Education, The University of Colorado at Denver, and the Douglas County School District. At the time of its initial inception, the LEAP Program was one of the few early childhood programs throughout the country that was committed to inclusive practices for young children with autism and their families.

With over three-dozen peer-reviewed empirical studies in the professional literature, the LEAP model is one of the most extensively validated intervention programs in Early Childhood Special Education history.

Training Opportunities

A primary focus of training at LEAP has been to support schools and public agencies in their efforts to provide quality early intervention services. LEAP has provided training to school district personnel and other community agencies through on-site visits, intensive model replication, topical workshops, case-based consultation and distribution of instructional materials.

There are a variety of training opportunities offered through the PDA Center at the University of Colorado at Denver and LEAP. Empirically validated training content includes:

• Classroom organization
• Classroom management
• Embedding teaching opportunities throughout the day
• Data based decision making
• Peer related social skills training
• Social-Emotional curricula
• Staff supervision
• Effective utilization of para-educators
• Family involvement

Resources: Practical forms for implementing a variety of instructional procedures, data collection forms, activity ideas, videos, and family/child support plans are some of the resources that will be provided to participants.