Intro Autism Spectrum Disorder

Catalog description

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD's), including autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger's syndrome, are common, occurring in 1 in 166 individuals. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, ASD's impact social interactions and communication skills. The types of ASD's range in severity from very low functioning associated with significant cognitive deficits and highly disruptive behaviors, to very high functioning, associated with highly gifted intelligence and "quirky" behaviors. This course introduces students to the neurology, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, causes, biomedical treatments, and behavioral interventions, as well as to the impact on individuals with ASD's, families, friends, school districts, the economy, and society with regard to functioning, coping, prognosis, and outcomes.