Randolph, Mass. – As record numbers of students with autism are back to school this month, the National Autism Center at May Institute is offering teachers its popular educators’ manual – Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools, 2nd Edition – as a free resource. This manual and other informative publications focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are available as free downloads at nationalautismcenter.org.

Since the manual was first published, tens of thousands of copies have been downloaded or purchased by teachers and front-line interventionists from across the country and throughout the world. Responses to a national survey indicate the manual has made a significant impact on improving educators’ knowledge about ASD and providing effective interventions for students on the spectrum.

Updated last year, the educators’ manual now includes information about the 14 Established Interventions for children and adolescents that have the most research support, produce beneficial outcomes, and are known to be effective. It also offers case studies, practical tools, and reading recommendations to help special education teachers, administrators, and families.

“Given the challenges of providing appropriate argumentative essay services to a diverse and increasingly numerous student population with ASD in this country, the need for evidence-based practice in our schools has never been so urgent,” said Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and CEO of May Institute, which houses the National Autism Center. “We must provide our educators with the tools and resources they need to give children and adolescents the greatest chance for success.”