COMPASS: A Caregiver–Teacher Partnership Model for Improving Outcomes in Autistic Children and Youth

Free webinar at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (US), February 4, 2026

The Collaborative Model for Promoting Competence and Success (COMPASS) is an evidence-based consultation framework designed to enhance outcomes for autistic children and youth by strengthening caregiver–teacher partnerships. Developed by Ruble and colleagues, COMPASS emphasizes individualized education planning, shared decision-making, and implementation support across home and school contexts. The model guides teams through structured goal setting, coaching, and progress monitoring aligned with the child’s strengths and needs and Individual Education Program. Empirical studies have shown that COMPASS improves intervention fidelity, child goal attainment, and collaborative engagement, making it a promising approach for bridging gaps between families and educators in autism support services.

About the speaker:

Dr. Lisa Ruble is the Earl F. Smith Distinguished Professor of Special Education and Autism at the Teachers College at Ball State University. Dr. Ruble teaches classes in autism and intervention. She is a past recipient of the New Investigator Award from NIMH. In 2002, Dr. Ruble established the STAR Program at the University of Louisville and, in 1998, helped establish TRIAD at Vanderbilt University. Her research program is based on these past experiences as a licensed psychologist, where she developed and provided social skills and behavioral interventions, school consultation and training, and parent training. These experiences influenced her interest in services research and the study of issues involved in the provision of evidence-based practices in community-based settings.