Assessment and Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Catalog description

Through this course, teacher candidates will learn both theories related to teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as best practices in the classroom related to academic instruction, as well as emotional, behavioral, and communicative interventions. This course also includes a field component, in which teacher candidates are expected to complete 10 hours of observation in a classroom with students with ASD. The course begins by examining the characteristics of the disability, causes, early warning signs, diagnostic procedures, and early intervention practices. Specific practices related to instruction and intervention as well as how to best structure a classroom for students will be examined. Teacher candidates will receive instruction in a variety of strategies and practices, even those that do not yet qualify as EBPs, as well as their theoretical underpinnings. Strategies for communicating effectively and efficiently with parents, as well as the most current and/or special issues in the field will also be discussed. Issues related to post-secondary transition will also be examined.