The Comprehensive Autism Planning System (CAPS) for Individuals with Autism and Related Disabilities: Integrating Evidence-Based Practices Throughout the Student’s Day

The Comprehensive Autism Planning System for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Related Disabilities (CAPS) is a tool to help teachers and educational teams to plan and implement a student’s program across the school. This includes planning for the implementation of the Individualized Education Program, and the curriculum relevant to the student. It takes the team through the process of planning out the goals/objectives to be targeted in each activity of the day, the modifications and accommodations that should be provided to support the student in each activity, the sensory supports to help the student stay engaged, and the communication and social supports that the student needs to be successful. In addition, it identifies the type of data that should be collected for each area and the reinforcers that have been chosen for use for success. As with many tools, while this system was developed for use with individuals on the autism spectrum, it can be an essential tool for any student regardless of the types of supports and needs they have. There are various forms of this system that focus on targeting specific skills for each activity and identifying the communication, sensory, and reinforcement supports that will be needed for each situation. There are also vocational and transitional formats that are available for students making the transition to work. The system is helpful in sharing information across the education team, in helping families to see how programs are being implemented, and is greatly helpful in setting up classroom environments that meet the individual needs of the students.