Date: May 1, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

Registration is currently full for standard spots. Please submit this form to be added to the waitlist. There are still a limited number of student and parent or family member spots available. 

Visit the START website for detailed information about the conference.

Date: May 2, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

Please contact your RCN leadership for registration information. Registration information was emailed to the RCN leadership in March 2023. 

In response to feedback from the field, we revised our START-ism around student access to preferred interests from “It’s not no, it’s where and when” to “Teach where and when.” We received feedback that the prior version could be misconstrued to demand or reinforce student compliance and/or consent to demands. 

The meaning and import of this START-ism remains the same: rather than withhold access to preferred interests, teach the student where and when it is appropriate to access those interests.

We ask that you update your display and usage of this START-ism to reflect this change. All START-ism references and products have been updated; replacements for items containing the prior version of this START-ism will be available for order on the START website soon.

Please contact your START RCN Representative or Jana Benjamin if you have any questions or need assistance.

What is it? This tool was created as a replacement for the Capacity Building Tool with the goal of streamlining the process of collecting and exploring information about coaching in your ISD. The tool includes: a brief ISD-level Google Form, an email script, a District-Level Google Form, and a Google Sheets Output. 

Where is it located? The Coaching Capacity Tool is located in your START Contract Information folder. 

When is it due? The Coaching Capacity Tool is due with the End of Year Data on May 26. 

Where can I learn more about it? Information on this tool is available on the RCN Application and Contracts form page under “End of Year Data.”

The CETA-R Reflection form is available on the RCN Application and Contracts form page under “End of Year Data.”

What is it? The CETA-R Reflection Form was created to expedite the CETA-R reporting process. Instead of scanning the CETA-R and submitting it through Google Drive, submitting the CETA-R Reflection Form will communicate that a CETA-R has been completed. 

Who will complete the form? The CETA-R Reflection Form is intended to be completed by the teacher of the classroom that has been identified to complete the CETA-R in the RCN Contract Activities Worksheet.

When is it due? The CETA-R Reflection Form is due with the End of Year Data on May 26. 

Registration is open for all remaining trainings for the 2022-2023 school year! Visit our website for registration:

There are two remaining topics in our virtual Transforming Transition Together (T3) Training Series! Each standalone training will be held from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

Visit the START website to view the dates and topics for the remainder of the year. 

If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, or are interested in viewing the materials shared at one of the sessions, you can find T3 training materials here on our website. Materials will be updated as they become available. 

A Joint Statement on the Use of Prompting

Prompting is a tool for teaching that may be used to assist anyone learning a skill. It is especially important for learners who may need additional cues to accelerate learning and reduce errors and frustration. 

The inspiration for the Joint Statement on the Use of Prompting started as questions from the field about how the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) grant-funded projects communicate information about the use of prompting as a teaching tool. 

Read about the Joint Statement on the Use of Prompting here.

Critical Question #3: Equity and Inclusion

The following critical question is the third question in a series of questions that will be posed this year. The critical questions are intended to provide guidance and expand your thinking. Use the critical questions to assure you are using practices focused on equity and inclusivity that value the voices and perspectives of the autistic community.

How might my language reflect ableism?

We invite you to explore this question in more depth by reviewing activities, resources, and START’s commitment related to this question.

The Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project is funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education to provide training and technical assistance to educators in Michigan that serve students with ASD.

START Project | autismed@gvsu.edu | (616) 331-6480