Autism, Language, and Reasoning

Catalog description

The field of autism has generated growing interest, with increases in diagnosed cases, increased inclusion in regular education classrooms of students with autism spectrum disorders, growing recognition of neurodiversity and concomitant attempts to improve accommodations for and acceptance of adults with autism in society at large, an ever broadening repertoire of interventions and accommodations for autism, and ongoing discoveries in cognitive science and neurobiology. In many ways, examining the issues surrounding autism spectrum disorders provides insights into special needs, neurodiversity, and disability rights in general. This course focuses on the social, linguistic, cognitive, educational, and disability rights aspects of autism, including implications for treatment, accommodation, and counseling. We examine the challenges that individuals with autism have in acquiring language, in deducing the perspectives of other people (Theory of Mind), in engaging in certain types of cognitive tasks, and in having their voices heard by others. We examine, as well, the unusual talents and intellectual strengths that many ASD individuals exhibit. Students interested in working with individuals on the autism spectrum in educational and counseling settings will gain insight into: • How autism spectrum disorders affect the acquisition of social and academic skills • The availability and efficacy of different types of interventions and accommodations • Issues relating to neurodiversity and disability rights • Strategies for guiding students with autism spectrum disorders through K12 schools and beyond