The primary purpose of this 15 credit hour certificate is to provide special education teachers and related personnel from across the state with advanced credentials that will allow them to implement evidence-based and research-based strategies. The certificate will accomplish the following: (a) efficiently and effectively equip professionals to meet federal and state demands for quality; (b) provide professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify, use, and recommend research-based practices for students who have asd, including students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and (c) provide personnel with knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with district and school-level teams. The specialized five course asd graduate certificate program will include competencies in the following areas: (a) implementing evidence-based and research-based instruction, (b) using data from formal and informal assessments to guide instruction, and (c) serving as specialists in district and school-wide programs to support students with autism in improving areas of communication, socialization, behavior, and access to the general education curriculum.