Date: 01-14-2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Topic: Tier I and II Interventions for Students with Autism
Presenter: Shana Levi-Nielsen, PhD, NCSP, BCBA
Presenter Bio: Dr. Shana Levi-Nielsen is an assistant professor in the School Psychology
program at Temple University. She is a licensed psychologist, NCSP, and BCBA. Prior
to becoming a school psychologist and BCBA, Shana was a classroom teacher in
Camden, NJ, where she developed a passion for inclusive, evidence-based approaches
to behavior management. Shana works as a professor and supervising psychologist at
Temple and does clinical work as a BCBA and psychologist consulting with schools and
families to promote evidence-based behavior management interventions for children
struggling with challenging behavior. Throughout her decade-long career in education,
Shana’s primary focus has been on collaborating with other adults to effectively serve
children with emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as those with autism spectrum
disorder.
Tier I and II Interventions for Students with Autism
With a push towards inclusive education models, students with autism are increasingly educated in the general education setting. Yet, they often lack access to the tailored supports needed for meaningful inclusion. Inclusive settings can improve social, academic, and behavioral outcomes for many students with autism when educators use appropriate strategies ensuring that students are not only present, but actively engaged in their learning environment. Promoting the successful inclusion of students with autism in general education classrooms often requires support from practitioners with expertise in the implementation of evidence-based practices. Through the lens of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS), this presentation will review the implementation of evidence-based classroom strategies that benefit all students while providing additional preventative support for students with autism demonstrating greater need.
Through practical strategies and case examples, this presentation will highlight empirically backed environmental modifications including direct instruction techniques, reinforcement systems, and peer-mediated interventions. We will also discuss how to best identify candidates for inclusive settings and how to intensify supports for non- responders. Attendees will leave with actionable tools grounded in research and applicable within general education classrooms.