Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding and Management in the Classroom/School Environment
3 credits / 45 hours
Instructor Elizabeth Williams
Course Description
Autism. We’ve seen it on the news, in the movies, and increasingly in our classrooms. Students with Autism are talented, unique, and have very specific needs. Outside of their parents, we as educators, are often the first people in their lives to promote understanding and acceptance. This course is designed to educate participants and provide them with essential information for working with students on the spectrum. Beginning with the fundamentals, we will move toward making our academic instruction and the school environment more acceptable and sensory friendly to students who are neurodiverse. This course will provide an overview of challenging behaviors, triggers, and solutions to utilize within the school environment. It is a must for all educational staff who will work with students on the spectrum.
Course Description
Autism. We’ve seen it on the news, in the movies, and increasingly in our classrooms. Students with Autism are talented, unique, and have very specific needs. Outside of their parents, we as educators, are often the first people in their lives to promote understanding and acceptance. This course is designed to educate participants and provide them with essential information for working with students on the spectrum. Beginning with the fundamentals, we will move toward making our academic instruction and the school environment more acceptable and sensory friendly to students who are neurodiverse. This course will provide an overview of challenging behaviors, triggers, and solutions to utilize within the school environment. It is a must for all educational staff who will work with students on the spectrum.
Course Objectives
Students that enroll in this class will...
Know
- Definitions/symptoms relating to ASD and Autism prevalence
- Theory of Mind
- Information on the vaccine controversy and features of gluten-free diets
- Researched based teaching methods (ABA, TEACCH Method, etc.)
Understand
- The sensory, academic, behavioral and social needs of learners with ASD so that these needs do not hinder the learning process
and Be Able To
- Understand that connection and engagement come before learning
- Benefit from the literary contributions and opinions of Temple Grandin and John Elder Robison
- View skills targeted in Occupational and Speech therapy programs and the importance of consulting with related service providers
- Apply a multitude of teaching strategies into the classroom to foster learning among students with ASD
