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AAIDD SIS Training Programs

 

AAIDD offers several types of Supports Intensity Scale® (SIS®) training to our customers based on their specific stage of implementation.

A general progression from the initial steps of the initial to the more advanced and  follow-up types of training are:

  • SIS Stakeholder Training/Respondent Orientation
  • SIS Train-the-Interviewer training
  • SIS Train-the-Trainer training
  • SIS Quality Assurance training

Stakeholder Training/Respondent Orientation

This training is an intensive and interactive 1-day group session designed to provide an in-depth overview of the AAIDD SIS and can be offered to the general public including respondents and stakeholders.

Most agencies start their implementation process with an orientation session to engage and inform the public, including stakeholders and administrative staff, as well as to train potential SIS assessors. This training includes: 

  • Philosophical framework of SIS 
  • Instrument design, including item selection, validity, and reliability 
  • Item analysis 
  • Scoring process 
  • Interview strategies 
  • Data use and management. 
  • The opportunity to observe and conduct a live interview as part of a group

Train-the-Interviewer

This training is for potential SIS assessors, and is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent SIS interviewer. See guidelines for selecting individuals for this training below.

The training is designed in 3 phases (Orientation, Individual Guided Practice, and Interviewer Reliability Qualifications Review [IRQR]) to allow for adequate practice and self-study time. Depending on the size of the trainee group, it may take a couple of months for the entire group to complete the training process. The training includes:

  • Orientation includes an introduction and rationale for the SIS, administering and scoring, conducting the interview, and using SIS to inform Individualized Support Plans.
  • Individual Guided Practices are designed to prepare the trainees for live interview interactions with respondents and their IRQR.
  • IRQR in which the AAIDD Trainer observes the trainee complete a SIS interview to determine whether the interviewer is capable of conducting the SIS accurately independently.

In order to be recognized by AAIDD as SIS assessors, trainees must pass an IRQR following training and annually thereafter. Trainees must complete minimum of 4 practice interviews before attempting an IRQR.  


Train-the-Trainer

Candidates for Train-the-Trainer must have successfully completed the SIS Train-the-Interviewer and demonstrate adequate exposure to a range SIS interview scenarios.

This training ensures individuals are competent to train others on SIS and ensures content integrity among all trainers. This training is conducted over approximately 1 week (depending on the size of the class) and consists of three phases:

  • Advanced Theory
  • Teaching the Orientation
  • Interviewer Reliability Review 

 

Quality Assurance

Individuals who complete the Train the Trainer training must complete an annual quality assurance training to ensure that they continue to meet AADD's SIS quality standards and follow best practices. At minimum, the Quality Assurance training is a refresher of all previously completed training, but can be expanded to cover additional topics such as long-term strategic planning and strengthening the agency's quality performance by the s team of SIS assessors and trainers. The length of the training is determined by the agency’s specific training needs.  

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