All trainings provided by the MAEP are free to Montana Public School Educators and Service Providers.
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ASD Recognition, Response & Risk Management for law enforcement, first responders, and school administrators.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Recognition, Response & Risk Management: High Risk Contacts with Autistic Individuals is designed for law enforcement, first responders, and school administrators. This training is sponsored by the Montana Office of Public Instruction Montana Autism Education Project and is free of charge to attendees; though registration is required and space is limited.
Dennis Debbaudt is a globally recognized expert in autism and law enforcement interactions, with over 30 years of experience training professionals across public safety, criminal justice, education, and emergency response. As both a former investigative journalist and father to a son diagnosed with autism in 1987, Debbaudt brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to his work. His engaging and practical training sessions are tailored for law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, correctional officers, educators, and behavioral health professionals.
Debbaudt has consulted and trained agencies including the FBI, NYPD, Homeland Security’s FLETC, Chicago PD, Detroit PD, Houston PD, and departments throughout the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and beyond. His contributions include curriculum development for the NYPD, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Maryland Police Training Commission, as well as numerous publications such as Autism, Advocates, and Law Enforcement Professionals and a 2024 Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders study. He has been featured by HBO, ABC 20/20, The New York Times, People Magazine, and WIRED, and his work is widely respected for improving safety, awareness, and communication between law enforcement and autistic individuals.
James Marble is a 26-year law enforcement veteran, who has served in capacities from patrolman through Chief of Police, and has been a certified law enforcement instructor in Montana for 16 years. James has specialized in various disciplines of instruction including firearms, use of force, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) recognition, communication strategies, and de-escalation techniques. Along with completing Dennis Debbaudt’s Autism Risk and Safety Management Law Enforcement Instructor Course, James brings a unique combination of law enforcement and personal experience. James was diagnosed with ASD in 2020. James’s unique experience of a law enforcement professional and an adult with ASD allows for him to speak intelligently from both perspectives. James is dedicated to advocating for law enforcement, and people with ASD and their families, in order to bridge the gap between both communities.
This 4-hour training will focus on identification of individuals at varied independence levels
- recognition & disclosure of autism spectrum disorder (ASD);
- communication tips;
- sensory and scene management tips;
- search and rescue of missing & vulnerable children and adults;
- development of vulnerable/voluntary informational data bases;
- suspicious persons contacts;
- persons in crisis emergencies with aggression;
- use of force/custody;
- interview of an autistic victim, witness, or suspect;
- threat assessment;
- partnership opportunities with autism support organizations & related training policies.
Monday 9/29/25 8:30-12:30 Flathead High School - Flex Room. 644 4th Ave W. Kalispell, 59901
Tuesday 9/30/25 8:30-12:30 Missoula Schools Admin Building B - Professional Learning Lab. 909 South Ave W. Missoula, 59801
Wednesday 10/1/25 8:30-12:30 Helena Schools Lincoln Center. 1325 Poplar St. Helena, 59601
Thursday 10/2/25 8:30-12:30 Belgrade Schools Learning Center. 106 North Broadway St. Belgrade, 59714
Friday 10/3/25 8:30-12:30 Billings Schools Lincoln Center. 415 N. 30th St. Billings, 59101
(ADOS®-2) Initial Training | BILLINGS
Chronic Absenteeism
Learn efficient and effective tools to help identify root causes of school refusal and chronic absenteeism and support school attendance.
(ADOS®-2) Initial Training | GREAT FALLS
 The OPI Montana Autism Education Project, in collaboration with The Montana Center for Inclusive Education and Institute for Neurodiversity at Montana State University Billings (MSUB), is pleased to host the first annual Mountain West Neurodiversity Conference at MSUB, September 19-20, 2025, with a pre-conference intensive behavior workshop for educators on September 18, 2025.
This is a free conference designed for educators, related service providers, families, and advocates. The conference will feature leading experts in the field alongside autistic and neurodiverse individuals, sharing their lived experiences, evidence-based approaches, and tools to support meaningful inclusion across educational and community settings.
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Stickers to Paychecks |
Utilizing elements of The Pyramid Approach, a framework for effective learning environments, we explore challenges with transitioning from adolescence to adulthood specifically related to vocational and leisure skills. Using examples, the audience will be guided to discover questions to ask and strategies to use for effective and expanded opportunities.
- September 29, 2025 3:30-5:00
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Teacher's Guide to Organizing the Classroom |
This dynamic presentation provides educators with many practical ideas and examples for creating an effective classroom for students with autism and/or other developmental disabilities. We begin with a description of functional activities, targeting various age groups, and guide you in designing an education environment using the elements of the Pyramid Approach to Education. We help you identify ways to increase student communication throughout the day and show you how common individual goals can be incorporated into various lessons and activities. We also share ideas for setting up your classroom, including organizing materials for activities, incorporating reinforcement systems, and streamlining data collection as well as providing tips for student and staff routines and schedules. You will leave this training with new confidence and a collection of strategies you can immediately implement to improve any educational environment.
- October 10, 2025 8:00-4:00
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It's No Use If You Can't Reach It! Attaching AT to Environmental Supports |
Participants will explore different mounting solutions that allow students to access assistive technologies in multiple positions across environments. Focus will be on mounting options for speech generating devices, tablets, phones, and low-tech options to allow for inclusion and participation. In addition to paraprofessionals and teachers, this session is an excellent fit for therapists working in the public-school setting.
- October 16, 2025 3:30-5:00
STAR Autism Intervention Capacity Building Program
Congratulations to Kalispell Public Schools!
We’re thrilled to announce that Kalispell Public Schools has been awarded the STAR Autism Intervention Capacity Building Program. Thank you to Kalispell Public Schools for your dedication to providing high-quality, evidence-based supports for students with autism. Through the STAR Program, Kalispell Public School District educators will gain access to comprehensive training, coaching, and resources designed to strengthen instructional strategies, increase student engagement, and promote meaningful skill development. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on students, staff, and the entire school community.
If your district is interested in applying for the STAR Autism Intervention Capacity Building Program for the 26-27 school year please email katie.mattingley@mt.gov.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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