Curriculum for Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate
Spec Ed 353/553 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Working with Children and Youth with Disabilities
This course provides information about typical and atypical language and motor development in children and youth (ages birth to 21 years). Course topics include milestones of typical language and motor development, characteristics of specific language/motor disorders and sensory impairments (hearing and visual impairments).
An interdisciplinary focus that highlights the work of related service providers such as occupational, physical and speech therapies and consultants for individuals with visual and hearing impairments serves as the context for the course. In addition, this course addresses the role and responsibility of special education teachers to support, supervise, monitor and evaluate paraeducators working in their classrooms.
Recommended approaches that support individuals with language/motor disorders and sensory impairments such as basic sign language, Picture Exchange Communications System and sensory integration strategies are embedded into course topics.
The course is required of all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the special education teacher licensure program.
Offered evenings in spring.
Spec Ed 381/581 Behavior Change and Management
Theoretical and practical understanding of methods used in modifying
behavior in general, and problem behavior in particular. Methods of
controlling behavior will be drawn from research and applied to the
classroom. Approaches are developed to anticipate, inhibit, redirect,
and prevent problem behavior through techniques which have high
probability of encouraging the total learning process.
Offered evenings in fall.
Spec Ed 406/606 Technology in Special Education
This course is to address uses of technology that are specifically
related to special education, such as assistive and adaptive
technology, and augmentative communication. It will address classroom
arrangements for use of technology, uses of technology for content area
instruction, and word processing technology for special learners. It
will also address legal issues related to the provision of technology
and methods of using technology to collaborate with other professionals
and to gain information about special education.
Offered fall and spring.
Spec Ed 473/673 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders is a new course taught
hybrid online and on-campus. This introductory course will provide
students with an understanding of children with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD). Students will be introduced to intervention strategies
that enhance the communication and learning of students with ASD.
Methods for teaching more conventional behaviors will be addressed.
Issues surrounding diagnosis and support for families will be explored.
Offered summer only.
Spec Ed 474/674 Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a new course
taught hybrid online and on-campus. This course will provide students
with information regarding methods of instructing and supporting
children and youth with ASD. The course will include information
regarding the best practices for assessment, instruction,
communication, sensory, socialization, transition information related
to children and youth with ASD. Prerequisites: Special Education
473/673 Introduction to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Offered summer only.
Spec Ed 475/675 Autism Spectrum Disorders Practicum
A new field experience, this practicum will provide students in the
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Certificate Program experience 100
hours of working with students with ASD in educational settings.
Prerequisite: Department Consent.
Offered the fall following completion of 473/673 and 474/674.
Choose One:
Spec Ed 463/663 Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities
This course examines functional curricula, instructional practices and functional behavioral assessment and support for students with severe disabilities. Additional topics include working collaboratively with related services personnel, the use of assistive technology in educational programming, supervising paraprofessionals in the classroom, and teaching self-advocacy skills.
Offered in fall, spring and summer.
Spec Ed 481/681 Advanced Behavior Management and Instruction
This course builds upon effective behavior management and
instruction concepts, principles, and techniques covered in Special
Education 381/581 and Special Education 480/680. Course emphasis is on
understanding the process of behavioral change, instructional classroom
management, self-management strategies, non-violent crisis
intervention, social skills instruction, study and organizational
skills, and metacognitive strategies. In addition, this course focuses
on conflict resolution, including resolving conflicts between pupils
and between pupils and school staff and peer mediation.
Offered evenings in fall and spring.
