To ensure consistent, high-quality training aligned with the requirements of HB 851, the University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD) has collaborated with Alachua County Public Schools and the UF College of Education in the development of a self-paced micro-course that serve as our primary professional learning resource for meeting the autism-related training requirements established in the legislation. We are providing access to the modules for those who do not have access through their Local Education Agency’s learning management system. You can access the Autism Micro-course through UF’s Canvas and will need to register as a guest user. Information about the course and directions for registering are provided below.
LEAs please see the Statewide Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment website for information regarding downloading the SCORM package for your e-learning system.
6-Hour Autism Micro-Courses
Autism Micro-Course for Instructional Personnel
- Designed for teachers and other instructional staff
- Approximately 4-6 hours of learning
- Consists of six online modules
The micro-courses were developed to ensure that all participants receive consistent, evidence-based information aligned with current legislation, educational practices, and the needs of students with autism spectrum disorder.
Why an Online Micro-Course Model?
While in-person training can be valuable, the online micro-course format offers several important advantages:
- Ensures consistent content and messaging
- Provides equitable access for educators across our catchment area
- Allows participants to learn at their own pace and revisit content as needed
- Supports implementation across districts, charter schools, and private schools
- Facilitates updates as research, legislation, and best practices evolve
- Creates a sustainable professional learning resource that can be used for ongoing staff development
- Provides a built-in system for documentation and tracking of participation
The online format also enables schools to provide training to larger numbers of educators while minimizing travel, substitute teacher costs, and scheduling challenges.
Enrollment Process
Click/Tap the button below to access the registration system, click on the plus (+) sign to add the course to your cart. Follow the prompts to complete the checkout process and finalize your enrollment. Once enrollment is complete, you will receive a Canvas enrollment confirmation email with instructions for accessing your course. Be sure to check your inbox, as well as your junk/spam folder, for this important message. If you have questions or need assistance at any point during the enrollment process, please contact our office. We are happy to help.
If you are experiencing issues accessing the course, please submit a Help Desk ticket using the information below. Thank you.
- Help Desk | Information Technology – University of Florida
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
(352) 392-HELP (4357)
helpdesk@ufl.edu
Helpful Links
- UF e-Learning login page (If you are not a UF employee or student, select Sign in with External ID.)
- Direct link to the Autism Micro-Course (must be enrolled)
- UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities website
Other Professional Learning Opportunities
In addition to the HB 851 Autism micro-courses, UF CARD is available to provide professional learning opportunities on a variety of autism-related topics. Examples include:
- Understanding autism and neurodevelopmental differences
- Evidence-based instructional practices
- Classroom and behavior support strategies
- Communication and social interaction supports
- Supporting students with sensory differences
- Family-school collaboration
- Inclusive educational practices
- Transition planning and postsecondary outcomes
- Individualized supports for students with complex needs
These trainings are designed to enhance educator knowledge and skills but should not be considered a replacement for the HB 851 micro-courses.
Ongoing Technical Assistance and Advanced Training
In conjunction with and in addition to the micro-courses, UF CARD is committed to supporting educators through:
- In-person and virtual professional learning opportunities
- Consultation and technical assistance
- Follow-up coaching and implementation support
- Problem-solving around individual student needs
- Resources and tools for school teams
We encourage schools and districts to view the micro-courses as a foundational learning experience and to partner with UF CARD for more in-depth training and technical assistance targeted to local needs.
If your school or district would like to learn more about our training options, technical assistance, or future professional learning opportunities, please contact UF CARD through our Training and Public Education Request webpage.
If you have question about training opportunities offered through CARD, feel free to contact Dr. Danielle Liso, Associate Director of Training and Public Education at liso@ufl.edu or 352-265-2241.
We appreciate your commitment to improving outcomes for students with autism and look forward to supporting your educators.