A world of possibilities
Context & Audience
Advancing Social-communication and Play (ASAP) at the UNC School of Medicine is an intervention program designed for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It focuses on enhancing social-communication and play skills in public school settings and includes resources like PD-ASAP for professional development. The program supports educators, therapists, and families through online materials, training modules, and printable resources.
Problem / Goal
ASAP offers a large volume of research‑based content intended for diverse audiences with varying levels of technical skill, time, and accessibility needs. The goal was to ensure that materials were:
- Structured to support learning, not overwhelm it
- Clear and usable in real‑world settings
- Accessible to a wide range of users
My Role
I contributed to instructional design decisions, content organization, and accessibility considerations within an established learning platform, Articulate Storyline and Rise.
Challenges & Decisions
- Designing for multiple audiences (educators, clinicians, families)
- Supporting accessibility across complex instructional content
- Balancing research fidelity with practical usability
- Working within an established platform and content ecosystem
Outcome & Impact
The ASAP website and materials support more accessible, self‑directed learning for educators and families. Clear organization and accessibility considerations help ensure that evidence‑based practices are easier to understand and apply in early childhood settings.
Reflection
This project reinforced the importance of accessibility and human‑centered design in early intervention and professional learning. It also deepened my interest in supporting research‑to‑practice translation through thoughtful technology and instructional design.
jmichin 