MESA Professional Development Opportunities
From Environment to Instruction: Supports for Students with Autism
Audience: All school-based team members
This training equips educators with evidence-based strategies to build supportive classrooms and implement effective instructional, behavioral, and communication supports through guided practice.
Participants will learn to:
· Recognize characteristics of autism in the school setting
· Create structured, supportive classroom environments
· Use visual supports and routines to increase independence
· Teach critical communication skills
· Apply instructional and behavior support strategies effectively
October 27-28, 2026 (Tulsa Tech-Owasso): Register Online Now!
December 1-2, 2026 (Rose State College): Register Online Now!
February 9-10, 2027 (Rose State College): Register Online Now!
Registration: $325/person
Approved under Project 613
Supporting Students with Autism: A Practical Training for Paraprofessionals
Audience: Paraprofessionals
This training prepares paraprofessionals to support students with autism across school settings using practical, evidence-based strategies.
September 30, 2026 (Rose State College): Register Online Now!
January 13, 2027 (Tulsa Tech-Owasso): Register Online Now!
Registration: $200/person
Approved under Project 613
Reducing Challenging Behavior in Students with Autism
Audience: All school-based team member
This training prepares educators to reduce challenging behavior by understanding its function and applying evidence-based strategies to prevent challenging behavior, teach replacement skills, and respond effectively using scenario-based learning.
Participants will learn to:
· Analyze behavior using the ABC framework
· Identify the function of behavior
· Use prevention strategies to reduce challenges
· Teach effective replacement skills
· Apply consistent, appropriate responses
· Use reinforcement to support positive behavior
November 4, 2026 (Rose State College): Register Online Now!
December 9, 2026 (Tulsa Tech-Owasso): Register Online Now!
February 24, 2027 (Rose State College, hybrid option): Register Online Now!
Registration: $200/person
Approved under Project 613
Conducting FBAs & Writing BIPs
Audience: Administrators, school psychologists, special education teachers, related service providers
This training equips educators to conduct Functional Behavior Assessments and develop Behavior Intervention Plans through guided practice and collaborative analysis to address challenging behaviors.
Participants will learn to:
·Define and analyze behavior using the ABC framework
·Collect and interpret data to determine the function of behavior
·Develop clear, testable hypotheses
·Design prevention strategies based on function
·Teach appropriate replacement skills
·Create and implement comprehensive Behavior Intervention Plans
November 10-11, 2026 (Tulsa Tech-Owasso): Register Online Now!
March 2-3, 2027 (Rose State College): Register Online Now!
Registration: $325/person
Approved under Project 613
OSDE-SES approved course
Guided Application of FBAs and BIPs for School Teams
Eligible team members: School psychologists, special education teachers, related service providers
This training equips interdisciplinary teams to conduct an FBA and develop a BIP through guided application with a student from their caseload. Prerequisite: Conducting FBAs & Writing BIPs
Dates: 2-3 days, scheduled in collaboration with the team
Location: Virtual, school, and/or Oklahoma Autism Center
Registration: Free
Approved under Project 613
School-Based Autism Assessment Team Course
Required team members: School psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and special education teacher
This training equips interdisciplinary teams to use evidence‑based practices for the identification of children with autism through instruction and interactive application.
Dates (all mandatory):
Days 1 & 2: September 29 & 30, 2026 (OKC) – Comprehensive Evaluation
Days 3 & 4: November 4 & 5, 2026 (OKC) – ADOS -2 Training
Day 5: March 5, 2027 (Virtual) – Group presentations and wrap-up
Location: Virtual and Oklahoma City
Registration: $600/team
Approved under Project 613
Summer Internship
Eligible team members: Early childhood educators
Attending with a colleague is encouraged
This 4-day learning experience prepares educators to effectively support students with autism through guided practice and implementation of evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices.
May 24-27, 2027, 8:30-4:30
Location: Early Foundations, Oklahoma City
Registration: Free
Approved under Project 613
Guided Observation
Audience: Early childhood special education teachers, Early childhood general education teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administrators
This learning experience prepares educators to effectively support students with autism through guided observation of evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices.
Scheduled Mondays – Fridays, 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Early Foundations, Oklahoma City
Registration: Free
Approved under Project 613
