Resource and Tool Database
| Title | Description | Keywords | Format | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Your Story with Peer to Peer Resources | Are you ready to join over 600 buildings statewide with a Peer to Peer program, or enhance your existing program with fresh activities? Either way, START has excellent resources to explore! Before you begin, keep this STARTism in mind: START Somewhere and START Now. Each Peer to Peer program has their own unique story that has been written and edited over time, but they all began by taking their first step. | START Connecting | Article | |
| When Words Matter | Beginning in the 1970s, Autism Awareness week was a way to raise awareness about autism at a time when the known prevalence of autism was 1 in 2,500 and it was considered an uncommon childhood disorder... | START Connecting | Article | |
| What is Peer to Peer? |
Peer to Peer is a school-based program designed to foster inclusive communities by intentionally connecting students with and without disabilities. Through shared experiences and guided by dedicated staff, the program emphasizes mutual participation rather than a hierarchical "helping" model, ensuring all students engage equally. |
Peer to Peer, Inclusion, Belonging, Social Connection, Friendship, Participation Model, Community | Bite | |
| What Autism Awareness and Acceptance Should Be About | According to Governor Whitmer’s proclamation, it is Autism Acceptance month. Governor Whitmer was quoted in The County Press, “During Autism Acceptance Month, we encourage all Michiganders to learn more about autism, recognize the different strengths individuals with autism have to offer, and support our family, friends, and neighbors with autism. In Michigan, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to chase their dreams and lead rewarding, productive lives.” | START Connecting | Article | |
| Welcome Back Whats New at START for 2026-2027 | Welcome to a new school year! Whether you are settling into a new routine or already well underway, we are excited to reconnect with you. This year brings a variety of training opportunities, new and updated resources, changes to the Effective Practices Leadership Initiative (EPLI), and an expanded website. Here’s a look at what’s new and what’s coming up! | START Connecting | Article | |
| Visual Supports in Practice | As the school year progresses and planning for the next year begins, inclusive classrooms remain active spaces where students learn, communicate, and grow in ways that reflect their individual strengths. Visual supports create clear expectations, support communication modalities, and give students tools to participate more independently in daily routines and classroom activities. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Transition Planning for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults | Intentional planning and preparation for the future can result in more positive outcomes for autistic youth transitioning to adulthood (Test et al., 2020). This is a multi-faceted process that takes place over time versus discrete events and involves the student... | START Connecting | Article | |
| Transition Planning Early Childhood Through Adulthood for Autistic Students | Why start transition planning early? The transition from high school to adulthood is a vital process for young autistic adults, and preparing for this transition can begin in early childhood. Focusing on elements of self-determination throughout primary and secondary education can improve preparation for high school, facilitate transition planning, and increase satisfaction in adulthood. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Transition Empowering Students Through Self-Determination | Student empowerment is important for all students, with and without disabilities, for achieving greater independence. It involves helping students make choices and decisions that prepare them for the transition out of high school and to adulthood. I’m Determined is a comprehensive resource with tools and supports to promote self-determination with students from early childhood through young adulthood. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Together We Thrive All Students Benefit as Peer Supports | Who are the LINK students in your Peer to Peer programs? You might be inclined to invite high-performing students to participate as peer supports. After all, these are the students who are engaged in classes and can serve as “ideal” role models. However, the data from the START Project peer outcomes study... | START Connecting | Article | |
| The Reciprocity of Peer-Mediated Interventions: Examining Outcomes for Peers | This study looked at high school students who helped classmates with autism or other disabilities through a peer support program. After joining the program, many of these peer helpers had better grades, came to school more often, and had fewer behavior problems—especially those who had struggled before. The results show that helping others can also help the peer helpers, and schools should include all kinds of students, not just the top performers, in these programs. | Peer to Peer, Outcomes | Research Article | |
| The Classroom Environment and Teaching Assessment CETA Updates | The Classroom Environment and Teaching Assessment (CETA) was introduced in 2011 to give teachers and school teams a proactive way to strengthen inclusive classroom practices and help ensure students have access to the least restrictive environment. The goal of the CETA is to create classrooms where all students can be successful, especially those with higher support needs. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Teaching Toileting Skills to Young Children Resources for Early Educators and Families | Developing toileting skills is one of the most important milestones for young children as they move toward independence. When a child transitions from diapers to a regular routine of toileting, it reduces time spent on diaper changes and the financial burden of diapers. It also opens up more time for learning and play in early childhood settings and increased opportunities for social and community activities as the child gets older (e.g., day camps, sleepovers). | START Connecting | Article | |
| Teaching Supports and Strategies | Resources and strategies for supporting autistic students, including literacy, transitions to new schools or classrooms, technology, and classroom practices. | Teaching Strategies, Classroom Supports, Instruction, Evidence-Based Practices, Student Engagement | Topic Page, Website | |
| Teaching Autistic Students About Healthy Relationships Info Sheet | An Info Sheet about teaching healthy relationships to autistic students, including communication, boundaries, consent, friendships, and relationship safety. | Healthy Relationships, Consent, Boundaries, Friendships, Relationship Safety | Document | |
| Taking Steps to Develop a Coaching Structure Learning from One Districts Experience | The START Regional Collaborative Networks (RCN) have priorities they work on each year through our partnership. One priority is to establish a Coaching Structure. This structure involves recruiting and training building coaches, as well as offering ongoing professional learning and support to help coaches work closely with building teams and classroom staff... | START Connecting | Article | |
| Strengthening Practices Observation Tool (SPOT) |
The Strengthening Practices Observation Tool (SPOT) helps teams observe, discuss, and strengthen evidence-based practices in early learning settings. The tool identifies the extent to which key indicators of high-quality practices are established and consistently implemented in the classroom. |
Early Childhood, Implementation | Document, Website | |
| Start Engaging with Families Info Sheet | An Info Sheet about START's approach to family engagement, including the importance of family-school collaboration and START's core values for family engagement. | Family Engagement, Family-School Partnerships, Collaboration, Communication, Student Outcomes | Document | |
| Sexuality, Health, Advocacy, Relationships, Empowerment | Information and resources related to sexuality, sexual health, advocacy, relationships, safety, and empowerment for autistic individuals. | Sexual Health, Healthy Relationships, Advocacy, Safety, Empowerment | Topic Page, Website | |
| Sexual Health Education Info Sheet | An Info Sheet about sexual health education for autistic individuals, including safety, self-advocacy, consent, relationships, and family-school collaboration. | Sexual Health, Consent, Healthy Relationships, Self-Advocacy, Personal Safety | Document |
Page last modified October 20, 2026