Student / Volunteer Application

About Us
The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center was developed in 2004 with foundational support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to extend outreach and training offered from the Indiana University School of Medicine across settings within communities. The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center is a provider of innovative, research-based, and practical trainings and technical support to school staff, medical and service providers, community organizations, primary caregivers, and individuals on the autism spectrum within Indiana. The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center has a trained interdisciplinary staff composed of several full-time individuals with extensive background and involvement in the fields of psychology, special education, general education, public health, communications, and instructional design, as well as experience in the training of school personnel, professionals from other related fields (e.g., medical, mental health), families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. Also involved are part-time staff and students, residents and volunteers assisting with the productivity and pre-service opportunities available in the field. Service is provided across medical, educational, and family/community systems through a number of means ranging from social media to interactive online formats to onsite trainings.

The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing practical information and resources derived from evidence-based strategies. The overall mission of the HANDS in Autism® Center and programs offered through the Center have been focused on the provision of unique and customized learning and service opportunities ranging from live, real-time to online, asynchronous formats all designed to improve capacity for understanding both the process and application of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to individuals across a range of ages, intellectual and functional abilities and neurodevelopmental, behavioral and other challenges. Hands-on training, ongoing coaching and diverse consultative experiences are offered to foster the building of bridges of information, resources and collaboration across family, educational, medical and community systems.

The unique service, training, and research environment within the HANDS in Autism® Center is supported by a tiered combination of faculty, trainers, support staff, students, and community volunteers and gives rise to a number of unique and customizable opportunities for students and volunteers. Positions range in their roles, expectations, and levels of learning across program assistant(s), research assistants, and direct support role(s) that meet requirements for practicum, internship and fieldwork placements. Student positions specific to the type provide opportunities for service outreach and research activities. A limited number of student positions are designated per year dependent on HANDS needs and to allow for enhanced didactic experiences and project team collaboration.

HANDS staff are involved in a number of programs and opportunities ranging from school and community-based services and consultation to vocational and post-secondary evaluation and training, center-based programming, as well as public health and policy activities. Student positions, specific to the role, have opportunity to be a part of a breadth of services across disabilities, lifespan and natural environments (home, school, work, community). Research activities and positions focus on translational dissemination and implementation science, which serve as the foundation and also complement the service activities, evaluation of public policies, and other statewide efforts.

Application Process

Completion of this application is the first step in the process to assess a student or volunteer's interests, experiences, and availability for the applicable position type or duration. If accepted as a student, assistant, intern, or volunteer, there are a number of projects that will be reviewed in light of the aforementioned experiences, interests, availability, and position type. Projects range across clinical, research, program support, community outreach, public policy, and other collaborative efforts. Students and volunteers have the ability to interact among a multidisciplinary team with the exact role on the team being determined by the fit of the student/volunteer and the needs of the Center at the time of the opportunity. The goals and interests of individual students and volunteers will be considered as much as possible.

Opportunities exist for various durations depending on the level of interest and experiences being sought by the student and/or volunteer. Individuals who are able to commit to student experiences across at least 9 months will be given preference; however, opportunities to volunteer for single events or efforts are also available and will be discussed in further detail upon receipt of the application. Across opportunities, positions are volunteer in nature and there will not be any pay associated with the experiences unless otherwise specified.

To learn more about available student or volunteer positions, please visit Opportunities for Students
To learn more about our program, please visit the HANDS in Autism website at HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu.

Which opportunities are you interested in or applying for at this time?
*This question is required.

Student or Community Volunteer (do not select any other options if this is for a service learning opportunity through a class)
Program Assistant
Research Assistant
Practicum, Internship, or Fieldwork Placement
Direct Support Assistant
Student Support Specialist (paid, Work Study eligible)

Name: *This question is required.

Email: *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Daytime Phone: *This question is required.

1. Gender: *This question is required.

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

Education: *This question is required.

Highest level of education completed:
School:

Current Educational Program: *This question is required.

Current program of study:
Class status (i.e., freshman, sophomore, etc.)
GPA:
School/Institution:

Current level of study: *This question is required.

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

Please note a faculty or staff contact within your current program of study:

Name:
Email:

Please indicate what days and times you would be available. HANDS in Autism's operating hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm EST (availability should fall during these hours) : *This question is required.

Mondays: Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
Tuesdays: Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
Wednesdays: Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
Thursdays: Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.
Fridays: Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

Total number of hours desired and/or available per week: *This question is required.

Please indicate the period of time for which you are looking for involvement (e.g., single event, Fall, Spring, Summer, Academic Year, Calendar Year, Multi-Year): *This question is required.

2. Do you hold any other service-based scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, etc. where there is a required time commitment each week? Please provide information on the program and time commitment.
*This question is required.

3. Indicate the number of credit hours you anticipate in enrolling for the semester(s) in which you are seeking a student opportunity. *This question is required.

Course Information (if you are seeking course credit for the position):

Semester:
Year:
School/Institution:
Department:
Course Title:
Course Number & Section:

If you are seeking course credit for the position, please note here any other important course details that need to be discussed (e.g., supervision requirements, hour minimums, etc.).

What coursework have you completed that is relevant to children, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental disorders? Please list titles of courses, not course numbers. *This question is required.

What types of experiences have you had previously with children, individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disorders, or volunteering in general? Please be as specific as possible and provide details regarding your role, level and type of interaction, as well as length of the experience. *This question is required.

What types of experience are you hoping to gain by engaging as a student/volunteer (i.e., observation, exposure, general knowledge, hands-on, general support)? Why do you seek this experience? *This question is required.

Describe a previous situation in which you were able to work independently. What were your responsibilities, roles, challenges, and successes? *This question is required.

Describe a previous situation in which you worked as part of a larger team. What were your responsibilities, roles, challenges, and successes? How many individuals were members of the team? What was the function of the team? *This question is required.

What unique experiences, skills, and knowledge can you offer to the HANDS in Autism® Center? *This question is required.

What do you hope to gain from assisting with the HANDS in Autism® Center? How might this complement your previous educational, training, or other experiences? How will this role facilitate your personal and/or professional goals? *This question is required.

Resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) *This question is required.

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Cover Letter *This question is required.

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Reference #1: We ask that you send the following survey link to a primary reference or person that can speak to your work, character, or professional skills.

Reference survey - http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Student-Volunteer-Reference-Check

After sending the survey, please indicate the name, title/organization, & contact information (e.g., phone, email) for the professional reference that will be completing the survey. *This question is required.

First Name

Last Name

Title

Company Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Reference #2: We ask that you send the following survey link to a second reference or person that can speak to your work, character, or professional skills.

Reference survey - http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Student-Volunteer-Reference-Check

After sending the survey, please indicate the name, title/organization, & contact information (e.g., phone, email) for the professional reference that will be completing the survey. *This question is required.

First Name

Last Name

Title

Company/Institution Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Please submit two academic based writing samples:
Writing Sample # 1 *This question is required.

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Writing Sample # 2 *This question is required.

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What is your role?

How did you hear about this opportunity? *This question is required.