Course curriculum

    1. Introduction

    1. The ABC-Iceberg: Moving Beyond Traditional FBA

    1. Assessment for Intervention Planning: Completing the UCC and ISSI

    1. Identifying Priorities Using the Specific Plan Guide: Parts 1 and 2

    1. Identifying Priorities Using the Specific Plan Guide: Part 3

    1. Identifying Priorities Using the Specific Plan Guide: Part 4

About this course

  • 13 lessons
  • 1.5 hours of video content
  • Downloadable Tools
  • Online Learning Community
  • Certificate of Completion

Create Positive Supports with This Revolutionary Approach

  • Steps to Create a Plan

    Step-by-step guidance for understanding and addressing needs to create real change for your child or student.

  • On-demand

    On-demand course content - exclusive access to recorded lessons for 6 months.

  • Online Community

    Online learning community where you can post questions for the authors and share and collaborate with other community members.

  • Assessment for Transformation (sold separately)

    Underlying Characteristics Checklist help you to see strengths and needs and avoid common pitfalls in developing a plan.

  • Downloadable Resources

    Receive downloadable resources to guide you through every step of the Specific Plan - part of the award winning Ziggurat Model framework.

  • Certificate of completion

    Receive a certificate of 1.5 hours of instruction from the Ziggurat Group.

Course Reviews

5 star rating

Ziggurat FBA

Lynn Everett

I love the modules! They are concise and affordable! My team plans to encourage school team leaders to complete this training and conduct FBAs in this mann...

Read More

I love the modules! They are concise and affordable! My team plans to encourage school team leaders to complete this training and conduct FBAs in this manner with their students! Thanks for offering the on-line training modules! Lynn Everett, Virginia Tech TTAC

Read Less

Testimonials

Consulting Teacher

Amanda Gorst

I support schools to support their students with autism. This is a great process for implementing intervention plans that not only help identify the priority behaviour, the possible function, but more importantly consider the underlying characteristics, which is often not considered in schools. I will be sharing this information with schools when asked to support with intervention.

Family Coach

Bambi Zinkon

As a MSY Youth and Family Coach, using the ZIG/UCC's is part of what we do in order to develop planning that makes sense for the youth. This course just helped me understand a little bit better how to apply what I have been attempting to do.

Coordinator of Social-Emotional-Behavioral Supports & Family Engagement

Jennifer Baldwin, MEd

Strongly agree: My knowledge about developing an effective program for individuals on the spectrum has improved by taking this Ziggurat FBA course. I would recommend the Ziggurat FBA course to others.

Family Coach

Kelly Elton

I will be using the Ziggurat FBA with every autistic student I work with.

Course Benefits

This transformational course includes on-demand content, online community, and everything you need to get started now.

  • Pre-recorded instruction with unlimited access for 6 months

  • Targeted activities, examples, and worksheets to guide you every step of the way

  • Access to online community where you can ask the authors questions and share and collaborate with other members

  • Certificate of completion

Watch Intro Video

Watch How The Ziggurat Model
Helps Teachers, Providers, and Parents



The Ziggurat Model has been adopted by schools and agencies.
It helps you to work smarter not harder!

If you're a teacher or service provider, you don't want your students to lose any time—
but you may also wonder if you have the skills to help a student
challenged by autism.

If you're the parent of an autistic child, you want your child to live
the most fulfilling life possible—but you might feel helpless at times.

The Ziggurat Model's Founders

Meet the licensed psychologists who have created the Ziggurat Model.

Ruth Aspy, Ph.D.

Dr. Aspy specializes in transdisciplinary assessment and intervention for individuals on the spectrum. She understands that treating behaviors will not result in real change. Instead, underlying needs must be addressed.

Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D.

Dr. Grossman specializes in counseling and assessment for people who are on the spectrum, as well as their families. He teaches that intervention cannot be successful unless it’s comprehensive and all steps are covered.
Learn More About The Founders

Addressing Behavior Challenges:
Creating a Specific Ziggurat FBA

Extension course on the Ziggurat Model

Autism can be stressful. Autistic children and students may find themselves overwhelmed by the challenges they face every day.  Feeling misunderstood, rejected, or in a constant state of crisis, it is not uncommon for them to display meltdowns/shutdowns and even to develop anxiety and depression.  Caring parents and teachers want to help. They want to make a difference but feel frustrated because their efforts do not seem to pay off - like they are working in the dark and may not know how to help. Time is always a factor.  Parents are worried about not only today but the future. They may worry: 

  • Will my child ever have friends?
  • How can I get my child through the morning without a meltdown?
  • Will my child be punished for his autism?
  • How will she ever hold a job?
  • Will my child ever be happy?
  • What is going to happen to him after we are gone?


Teachers and other educational professionals don’t want their student to have a “lost” school year.  They may worry: “Do I have the skills to help this student?” “Will this student keep others from learning?”  or “How will I survive this school year?”  

Both parents and educators want to help instill skills for success. They need answers - "How will we overcome all the obstacles?"  What they need is the Ziggurat Model. 

Learn about the award winning Ziggurat Model that has helped families and educators for over 15 years!   


The Ziggurat Model is a system for designing comprehensive strategies and supports for all individuals on the autism spectrum. The Ziggurat Model was created to simplify a complex process. The focal point of the model is a five tiered research-centered system that capitalizes on strengths to address underlying needs. It is assessment driven and provides a framework that guides parents, professionals, and autistics themselves in creating effective supports and strategies.

The Ziggurat Model is used in home, school, mental health, and other therapeutic settings. The Ziggurat Model is also used by autistic adolescents and adults as a self-help strategy. 

Recent trends in special education emphasize the use of scientifically based research approaches along with a focus on multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). Additionally, there is a strong push for incorporating positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) based on a functional behavioral assessment. The Ziggurat Model facilitates these practices.

The Ziggurat Model is unique - simple to use and comprehensive. While it is easy to find volumes of information describing specific interventions, it is difficult to find information on how to develop an effective plan. Autistics, parents, and professionals will find the framework of the Ziggurat Model to be a useful guide in developing more thorough and effective supports and strategies.

The Ziggurat Model will help you to develop supports that work.  There are four steps to the framework:

  • Assess underlying needs and strengths for planning
  • Identify meaningful priorities for change
  • Develop a plan that works: The five essential levels of support
  • Implement the plan


You can read more about our award winning book below and download a free excerpt.

Ziggurat Model 2.1 2022 Excerpt_.pdf

Read what people are saying about the Ziggurat Model!

Parent

“I found this book to be extremely thorough and comprehensive. There are many applications for a text like this. I personally would like to buy about 10 copies and hand them out to all of my child’s special and general education teachers, but I also believe that other team members (psychologists, therapists, and parents) can benefit from this comprehensive resource. The book does an excellent job of painting a picture that will help many “see” autism and understand that a comprehensive plan can make a huge difference. I’ve had the privilege of working with the authors and know that their comprehensive view and strategies have helped my child.”

Parent and author

Kristi Sakai

“Comprehensive and well-researched, but also understandable and accessible, the ZM addresses the multi-faceted needs of children with ASD in the school setting. Its very premise is that while there are commonalities, the characteristics of autism impact every student differently. This program is ingenious in that it creates an individualized plan and a framework in which to implement it. It is a well-oiled mechanism that smooths the wrinkles out of the school day for every child. In addition, as a parent it’s exciting for me to think of the multitude of ways we can further use the information we gain about our kids through, for example, using the UCC (Underlying Characteristics Checklist). The ZM is not merely a support system, but a celebration of what is unique about our kids on the spectrum and a springboard for their future.”

Autism Education Specialist

Kari Dunn Buron

The Ziggurat Model, developed by Ruth Aspy and Barry Grossman, is a model for intervention that addresses the underlying issues of autism as they impact a student's ability to learn and thrive in our school environments. This highly efficient program clearly illustrates for educational teams how to develop solid and effective IEPs that "keep the autism in mind." The approach is practical, research based, and easy to implement. I highly recommend the use of the Ziggurat Model when developing either individual plans or creating district-wide autism programming standards. Kari Dunn Buron Autism Education Specialist Author of The Incredible 5-Point Scale, and When My Worries Get Too Big www.5pointscale.com

Professor of child psychiatry, pediatrics, and psychology

Fred R. Volkmar, M.D.

“A practical and helpful book that provides a comprehensive approach to intervention for more able individuals with autism. The book is enhanced by use of cases and diagrams and has a practical orientation. It will be of great benefit to professionals and parents alike.”

Occupational Therapist, Author of The Interoception Curriculum

Dr. Kelly Mahler, OTD, OTR/L

The Ziggurat Model provides a respectful framework for helping you identify how you can better support autistic children and adults. Many times we do not account for or skip over very important aspects of the autistic experience thus failing to provide supports that are an actual match for what the person truly needs to thrive. I love the Ziggurat Model's tiered approach that helps us consider underlying needs in a sequential manner. If you are seeking to grow in your ability to provide meaningful supports, learn about the Zig! ——Dr. Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L, author of The Interoception Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Framework for Developing Mindful Self-Regulation

Executive Director of the EPIC School, Founding Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research

Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D.

“With the Ziggurat Model of intervention, Drs. Aspy and Grossman have synthesized the research on program planning and functional behavior assessment into a useful and user-friendly decision model leading to the development of truly comprehensive, functionally determined educational and behavior support plans. Highly recommended.”

Author, Presenter, Autism Advocate

Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

“In the past ten years, I have seen three materials that I believe have the potential to advance the progress of children and youth with ASD. One is the Ziggurat Model. Aspy and Grossman understand ASD in a way that most people do not. They have created a simple-to-use, yet comprehensive model to ensure that children’s needs are met throughout the school day. The Ziggurat program is innovative, based on best practices and focused on the child’s needs. I wish that I would have created this model. It is simply brilliant.”

Program Director of the Autism Center at OCALI

Amy E. Bixler Coffin, M.S.

“I love this book! In this much-anticipated publication, Aspy and Grossman have done an exceptional job at providing a user-friendly process and framework for designing comprehensive interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It is a must-have reference for all educators, clinicians, and parents who work and live with children with ASD.”

30 Day Money Back Guarantee!

We want to do everything we can to help you on your journey. That is why we are offering the first lesson for free!

After you register and pay for the full course, if it doesn't work out you can get a refund for a full 30 days (some restrictions apply - see terms and conditions).


FAQ

  • Do you accept purchase orders?

    Yes. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information on purchasing tickets.

  • I'm learning with others in the same room. How many tickets do we need to purchase?

    With the exception of families, we do not permit sharing a single account. Teachers, school staff, and other professionals should each purchase a ticket.

    Each participant who purchases a ticket will have a separate log in. The participant will receive a certificate of completion.

    For agencies seeking to train large groups, we offer in-person and virtual options with no limit on the number of attendees.

  • Do you offer refunds?

    Yes! For on-demand courses, you may cancel the course for 30 days provided that you have not viewed content past the free preview. There are no refunds for any courses that are “on-demand” with no free previews or when the user has viewed paid content. To cancel an order or request a refund, contact [email protected]

  • I'm a novice. Is this course right for me? OR I'm an expert. Is this course right for me?

    Yes! This course is intended for participants of all skill levels. Novices will learn more about autism and the course will introduce you to a variety of research-based approaches. Advanced learners will gain a deeper understanding of autism and expand their knowledge of how to combine approaches to be effective.

  • Will my certificate count for required professional continuing education credits?

    The Ziggurat Group and its providers are not pre-approved by professional organizations to offer continuing education (CE) credit hours. We do offer a Certificate of Completion that many professions accept for non-approved providers. Please check the licensing/CE requirements for your profession.

  • Where can I order copies of the Underlying Characteristics Checklists?

    The Underlying Characteristics Checklists and other materials can be ordered from our online store at: https://www.zigguratgroup.com/pages/store

The Ziggurat Model is perfect for special educators

IEPs are better with the Ziggurat Model!

The Ziggurat Model helps staff to complete multiple components of the IEP. The framework helps school staff to remain in compliance with federal and state guidelines. Specifically, recent trends in special education law emphasize the use of scientifically based research approaches along with a focus on response to intervention (RTI). Additionally, there is a strong push for incorporating positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and multi-tiered system of supports (MTTS). The Ziggurat Model is consistent with these practices.

  • Complete BETTER functional behavior assessments (FBAs)

  • Develop a behavior intervention plan (BIP) that addresses critical needs

  • Facilitates a person-centered approach to program development

  • Facilitates effective collaboration with parents and staff

  • Develop accommodations that address key needs

  • Develop transition plans that address needs associated with autism and build on skills

  • Identify present levels of academic and functional performance (PLAAFP) in areas such as social, communication, and emotion regulation

Ziggurat Model Training Outline

Complete Series

Session 1:

Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and in School: Overview of the Ziggurat Model
Session 2:

Seeing the Underlying Autism: A Path for Change
Session 3:

Identifying Priorities for Meaningful Change: The Global Plan
Session 4:

The Five Essential Levels:

Part 1: Sensory Differences and Biological Needs

Part 2: Reinforcement
Session 5:

The Five Essential Levels:

Part 3: Structure and Visual/Tactile Supports
Session 6: 
 The Five Essential Levels:
Part 4: Task Demands/Positive Environment
Part 5: Skills to Teach
Session 7:

Creating the Intervention Plan for Change: Addressing Priorities Step-by-Step
Session 8:
 Putting the Plan into Action: Implementing the Plan for Change and Course Summary 
Session 9:
(sold separately)

Addressing Behavior Challenges: Creating a Specific Ziggurat FBA
 This course extends the Ziggurat Model training. 

Learn to create a Ziggurat plan to address a specific behavior concern.

Learn about the Ziggurat FBA which solves limitations of the typical functional behavior assessment.  Using the Ziggurat FBA, create a plan that builds on strengths and addresses the underlying autism. 

Downloadable tools are included.


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