Philly Autism Instructional Methods Support (Philly AIMS)
Classroom-Based Consultation
Using an individualized approach to consultation, we provide intensive support to teachers, support staff, and administrations of children with autism. Our consultation is grounded in adult learning theory, used to develop educators who want a data-informed practice. Consultants work collaboratively with educators to set goals and monitor progress for individual students, classrooms, and schools. We specialized in addresing disruptive student begaviors, assessment, Applied Behavioral Analytic Intervention, and inclusive educational practices.
School-Wide Consultation in Inclusive Practices
We partner with districts to improve and expand inclusive practices within schools. Consultants work with administrators and school teams to prepare leadership to set expectations and provide support for inclusion, to select evidence-based student directed interventions for meaningful participation, and to develop sustainable strategies for ongoing training for school staff.
Professional Development Training
We provide tailored training to professionals from all backgrounds. Our expert trainers specialize in inclusive educational practices, class-wide positive behavioral strategies, and Applied Behavior Analysis-based interventions like Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Pivotal Response Training (PRT) and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDB).
Program Development
We work closely with education & behavioral health agencies to develop initiatives for children with autism. Our goal is to help agencies that strategically about program development that is evidence-based and fiscally sound. Unsing Implementation Science approaches, we aim to create programs that sustain long after our support is gone. Our team also assists in program evaluation for existing initiatives.
AUTISM INTERVENTION
MICROLEARNING TRAINING PROGRAM
Philly AIMS is proud to present a cutting-edge platform for professional development for autism support teachers, general education teachers, administrators and classroom teams. Our current microlearning training program is designed with the following features.
- Bite Sized Learning - All learning done in 5-minute interactive segments
- Focused Content - Targets discrete learning objectives
- Skill Building - Learn specific skills to use immediately in your classroom
Cost to Access the Training Package
Ranges from $1.17 to $6.57 per educator depending on number of users and length of access.
For more information, contact Dr. Julie Worley at (215) 898-7899 | julie.worley@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Dr. Worley is an Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Worley earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her professional interests center on enhancing community access to evidence-based assessments and interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Additionally, she is committed to developing and sustaining community partnerships that improve the quality and continuity of mental and behavioral health services for autistic individuals within community-based settings.
Active Projects:
Philly Autism Instructional Methods Support (Philly AIMS)
Philly AIMS is dedicated to improving the quality of education & behavioral health services for children with autism by moving research into practice. Philly AIMS was established in 2008 with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a randomized controlled trial of autism-specific interventions, which was, at the time, the largest study of an educational intervention for children with autism, and the first to be conducted as a partnership between a university and a school district. Our team of coaches provide classroom-based consultation to autism support teachers, school-wide consultation on inclusive practices to general education teachers and administrators, and develop and maintain a library of eLearning courses on evidence-based practices for autistic students.
To learn more about Philly AIMS, please visit our website:
Role: Director
The Autism Assessment Clinic at PATCH (Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall-Mercer)
PATCH, a specialty clinic that assesses and treats children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tics, and trichotillomania, is a joint venture between the Center for Mental Health at the University of Pennsylvania and Hall Mercer Community Behavioral Health In 2024, PATCH expanded is services to offer evaluations for anxious youth suspected of having co-occurring diagnoses of autism. Dr. Worley provides direct clinical care by conducting autism evaluations for individuals ages 2 – 21 years.
To learn more about Autism Assessments at PATCH, please visit our website: https://www.med.upenn.edu/hallmercer/patch_about.html
Role: Director
The Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome (ACE for WS)
ACE for WS was established in 2022 to advance research and bridge the gap between pediatric and adult care for individuals with Williams syndrome. The medical and behavioral health teams provide comprehensive and collaborative multidisciplinary services for individuals throughout the lifespan. Dr. Worley is a provider on the adult behavioral health team.
To learn more about available services, please visit: Welcome to ACE for WS | Williams Syndrome | Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Role: Psychologist
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