Communication, Language and Sensory Aspects for Autism – EDUC 628

Course Description

This course provides students with an overview of the components of communication and strategies to increase an individual’s communication abilities, with emphasis on visual aspects of language. Sensory systems, sensory processing and sensory motor development, and the implication of sensory processing when developing a complete educational program for students with autism spectrum disorders will be discussed.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

This course provides an overview of communication, language, and sensory research on etiology and interventions for individuals with ASD in clinic, home, and school. Included are strategies for team building, planning, data-based decision making, and evaluation. 

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and presentations

(CLO: A-H)

Discussions (7)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will complete 7 Discussions in this course. Each thread must be 400–500 words and 3–5 paragraphs. The thread must be supported with at least 2 sources in current APA format. The candidate will respond to at least 1 classmate in 200–250 words. Each reply must cite at least 2 sources in current APA format. (CLO: A, B, C, E, F, G, H)

Research Assignments (6)

The candidate will complete 6 research assignments on the topics designated in the instructions. Each topic will assist the candidate in his/her understanding of the social, communication and emotional challenges that face students on the autism spectrum. For each topic, the candidate must review at least 2 peer reviewed current journal articles (within 5 years). Each assignment needs to be in current APA style and be a minimum of 5 pages in length. (CLO: A, C, D, E, F)

LBBI Intervention Project

This assignment will give the candidate practical experience in designing interventions for students on the autism spectrum. The candidate will complete a comprehensive Literature Based Behavior Intervention (LBBI) plan for a student experiencing a social or behavior challenge. The candidate will create a social story that meets the guidelines set forth by Carole Gray and give a complete description of at least 3 additional supports/interventions that address the social or behavior challenge targeted by the social story. (CLO: A, B, F)

Final Assignment

The candidate will answer five prompts. Each answer must be 350 words in length, be supported by two scholarly sources and be written in current APA format. (CLO: A-G)