Parents of children with autism face a bewildering range of ‘treatments’ for autism. International reviews, however, consistently point to the importance of using evidence-based practice to educate parents and children. A science of behaviour (Applied Behaviour Analysis; ABA) underpins the most effective treatments (www.behavior.org; www.nationalautismcenter.org) but there is a severe shortage of training courses across Europe to prepare professionals to meet the needs of parents and children. To address this concern, and the resulting myths about ABA that have sprung up, Leonardo, part of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme (www.leonardo.org.uk) is supporting an innovative multimedia programme first developed in N. Ireland by local charity Parents’ Education as Autism Therapists (P.E.A.T. and Behaviour Analysts from the University of Ulster. The original STAMPPP project was recognised as an example of excellence by the European Commission and was included as a case study highlighting best practice in Inclusion (www.llpinclusion.eu).

Free copies were distributed to each partner country funded by these Grants: A total of 2000 copies in English and 1000 copies in each Spanish, Norwegian and German. As such 5000 free copies were distributed in 4 languages. However, now we can no longer give away this resource and we had to decide to charge a small fee, this will be used for development and distribution of Simple Steps to more and more families affected by Autism.

STAMPPP I partners

• Prof. Mickey Keenan BCBA-D, University of Ulster (Lead).
• Dr. Stephen Gallagher BCBA-D, University of Ulster.
• Prof. K. Dillenburger BCBA-D, Queen’s University, Belfast.
• Dr. Tony Byrne, PEAT Nichola Booth BCBA, PEAT.
• Dr. Neil Martin BCBA-D, Antam, and Applied Representative of the European Association for Behaviour Analysis (www.europeanaba.org).
• Prof Dr Hanns Rüdiger Röttgers, University of Applied Sciences, Münster, Germany.
• Prof Dr Bernhard Brugger, University of Applied Sciences, Münster, Germany.
• Dr. Børge Strømgren, Akershus University College, Norway.
• Dr. Luis Antonio Pérez González, University of Oviedo, Spain.

Prof. Dr. Hanns Rüdiger Röttgers said of Simple Steps Autism:

“I have given numerous conference presentations outlining the advantages of using material designed by leaders in the field to  teach ABA. My most recent presentations were to the 2011 conference of the German scientific society for autism spectrum disorders (WTAS) in Berlin and to the 2011 conference of the European Psychiatric Association in Vienna. Their feedback was entirely positive and generated a lot of enthusiasm for the potential of this multimedia pack as a stopgap for disseminating accurate information about ABA.”

The project aims to develop coherence between the education of children with autism and the vocational education and training of their parents and professionals. As such the project addresses issues concerned with lifelong learning through the promotion and exchange of, excellence in scientific training.

Currently, training material in the science of behaviour for the treatment of autism is largely confined to textbooks. For vocational life long learners, such as parents and professionals not familiar with scientific practices this presents a formidable obstacle. However, by using audio-visual material along with textural material in their own languages it will be possible to teach the principles of science and demonstrate practices that impact on how one maximises the learning opportunities for children with autism. If we can help parents become proficient in delivering home programs for their children, it will make it easier to coordinate these learning opportunities for the child with those provided within a school.

STAMPPP II partners

• Prof. Mickey Keenan BCBA-D, University of Ulster (lead).
• Dr. Stephen Gallagher BCBA-D, University of Ulster.
• Prof. K. Dillenburger BCBA-D, Queen’s University, Belfast.
• Dr. Tony Byrne, PEAT Nichola Booth BCBA, PEAT.
• Dr. Neil Martin BCBA-D, Antam, and Applied Representative of the European Association for Behaviour Analysis (http://www.europeanaba.org).
• Prof. Paolo Moderato, Institute G.P. Fabris, IULM University, Milan, Italy.
• Dr. Lise Roll-Pettersson BCBA-D, Stockholms universite, Sweden.
• Dr. Jacqueline Schenk, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands. 
• Sigridur Jonsdottir, The State Diagnostic and Counselling Centre, Iceland.