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Episode 11
Bringing CPRT to the Classroom
About This Episode
In this episode, we’re joined by Janice Chan, lecturer in the Department of Special Education at San Diego State University and long-time trainer in Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching (CPRT). Janice shares her two-decade journey through autism research, classroom teaching, and implementation coaching—and how her lived experience as a special education teacher shapes her approach to scaling NDBIs in school systems. Janice’s background spans research and practice, beginning with early work in Dr. Laura Schreibman’s UCSD lab comparing PECS and PRT, and evolving into deep engagement with CPRT and the translation of NDBIs into real-world classrooms. Janice shares that the CPRT online learning module will be released to the public for free following the completion of the current research phase. Current study sites include California, Illinois, and Indiana.
Bringing CPRT to the Classroom
Janice Chan
About Our Guest Speaker
Janice Chan
Janice Chan, MA, BCBA, is a lecturer in the Department of Special Education at San Diego State University. An alumna of SDSU’s Moderate/Severe Credential and Autism Master’s programs, Janice began her career as a classroom aide and later a teacher in moderate/severe classrooms in North County San Diego. Her research focuses on the development, dissemination, and sustainment of autism interventions in school settings. She currently serves as the project coordinator and lead trainer for a study on Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching (CPRT), comparing in-person and distance-based teacher training.
Show Notes
In this episode, we’re joined by Janice Chan, lecturer in the Department of Special Education at San Diego State University and long-time trainer in Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching (CPRT). Janice shares her two-decade journey through autism research, classroom teaching, and implementation coaching—and how her lived experience as a special education teacher shapes her approach to scaling NDBIs in school systems. Janice’s background spans research and practice, beginning with early work in Dr. Laura Schreibman’s UCSD lab comparing PECS and PRT, and evolving into deep engagement with CPRT and the translation of NDBIs into real-world classrooms. Janice shares that the CPRT online learning module will be released to the public for free following the completion of the current research phase. Current study sites include California, Illinois, and Indiana.
Episode Highlights:
The Evolution of CPRT – From early research in Dr. Jessica Suhrheinrich’s dissertation to today’s large-scale implementation studies, Janice walks us through how CPRT has grown from one classroom to a national model.
Accessible CPRT Resources – A free PDF version of the original CPRT teacher manual and group data sheets are available at classroomprt.org, helping teachers adapt CPRT to group settings.
Technology-Driven Training – Learn about a new CPRT distance learning module (developed with UNC Charlotte, creators of the AFIRM modules), featuring:
Animated case studies to safely practice new strategies
Video examples and comprehension checks
Data-tracking to personalize coaching based on teacher responses
Episode Resources
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