Autism Early Intervention Specialist Certificate

The Autism Early Intervention Specialist Certificate program, under the auspices of the Child and Family Studies department, trains students to work specifically with very young children from birth to age 8 with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs or with those children who may be at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Students will learn about individual differences in both typically and atypically developing young children. Students will work collaboratively as a part of various transdisciplinary teams and implement the activities that have been developed as part of a child's Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP). Students will learn how to provide early supports and services to young children in natural environments such as the home or a child care program while valuing and supporting the family as the expert on the child. The courses in the Autism Early Intervention Specialist Certificate program meet the training and education requirements for the State of NH credential of Associate Teacher Level 4. (Refer to the Early Childhood Professional Development System Guide for other criteria for this level.)

This program is available days and evenings. This program is financial aid eligible. To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must submit an official, final high school transcript, or the equivalent documentation that demonstrates high school completion, to the NHTI Admissions Office. Students working in licensed child care programs in NH may also apply for tuition assistance made possible through funding from the NH DHHS, DCYF, Child Development Bureau.

The course layout shown here is typical for a full time day student. Contact the Department Head for typical layout of a part time evening schedule.

1. NHTI placement testing indicating an aptitude for EN 101; verbal abilities and writing skills are major considerations for acceptance into the Autism Early Intervention Specialist Certificate program;
2. Satisfactory interview with the Early Childhood Education program faculty.

Health Considerations

Candidates for positions and careers in early childhood education are encouraged to explore health requirements associated with employment in child care, preschool and related settings for young children. Prospective students with special needs requiring accommodations that may affect their practicum placement and/or potential employment prospects are encouraged to discuss their specific career goals with the department head during the admissions process, particularly if the candidate is concerned about meeting the program's academic and technical standards. Each student is required to obtain NHTI Liability Insurance starting each school year. The students will be billed directly.

Character Expectations

The health and safety of young children is of paramount concern to the Department of Child and Family Studies. Applicants for positions in childcare, preschools and many other early childhood programs in New Hampshire should be aware that background checks and fingerprinting through the New Hampshire Department of Safety must be completed by potential employers prior to employment. To participate in NHTI's practica, students must first submit to background checks and fingerprinting.

Applicants who have been in difficulty with the law, depending upon the nature of the problem, may not be employable or even eligible for practica. Applicants are advised that such matters will be discussed during the admissions interview, to minimize the likelihood that future goals will be compromised.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the Early Childhood Education profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact department faculty to discuss individual cases. The Department of Child and Familiy Studies will seriously consider all academically qualified candidates provided that the technical standards can be met with or without reasonable accommodations. No essential technical standards will be waived or modified.

Students in Early Childhood Education must have sufficient strength, stamina, motor coordination and sensory capabilities to perform the following:

• Standing for sustained periods of time, walking, running, bending, and sitting on the floor to meet children's needs and accomplish tasks;
• Frequent lifting, moving and transferring children, especially infants and toddlers;
• Sufficient visual and hearing acuity to ensure a safe environment; and ability to respond quickly to children, colleagues, and professional partners in the event of emergency;
• Sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas as well as to interpret important instructions to children, colleagues, professional partners, and parents;
• Sufficient skills in written expression to accurately record children's daily progress and milestones as well as medications administered, accident and suspected child abuse/neglect reports, etc.;
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately to unexpected situations including situations requiring immediate crisis response and role responsibility exchange; to demonstrate safe and required care for children, families, colleagues and the workplace as a whole; and to cope with substantial variations in workload and stress levels;
• Ability to consistently attend and participate in classes and practica in a timely manner;
• Ability to demonstrate and maintain organizational skills and time management in classes and at the practicum site;
• Ability to respond to children's personal needs, including changing diapers, in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of the student, children, and staff;
• Ability to work in a professional and respectful manner with a diverse range of children including children of different races, cultures, religions, and ethnicities as well as children with a wide range of disabling conditions;
• Ability to abide by NHTI's student conduct code;
• Ability to maintain proper boundaries in both the school and home environments; and
• Ability and disposition to adhere to and practice the Code of Ethical Conduct set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Program Comments:

1. Students will be working with children at the NHTI campus child care center beginning with first semester early childhood courses. Applicants are advised that the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing requires certain paperwork to be on file at centers for employees and others who regularly work in child care centers. Completion of paperwork from the Bureau of Child Care Licensing must occur by the end of the first week of classes. This may include:
• submission of a criminal record check;
• a complete set of fingerprints (new law effective July 1, 2007);
• completion of the licensing Child Care Personnel Health Form by a licensed health provider.
2. The cost of the record check and fingerprinting is the responsibility of the student. They must come back as clear or non-disqualifying and the health form must indicate that the student is in good physical health and has no mental or emotional disturbances that would prohibit him/her from caring for children. Otherwise the student will be dismissed from the program.