Course Description
Readings, discussions and activities related to the design of
effective and efficient instructional programs for students with
ASD. Topics include how to adapt the learning environment,
including: the physical organization of the setting; use of
visual schedules, modifications that address fine motor
difficulties; and strategies to reduce sensory challenges.
Athena Title
Instruc Des Students ASD
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in EDSE 7260E
Prerequisite
(EDSE 2000 or EDSE 2000E) and permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to describe and explain the characteristics of autism that should be considered when designing instruction for these learners.
- Students will be able to design the physical environment for students with autism, including use of adaptations and modifications, visual schedules, and work systems.
- Students will be able to evaluate instructional strategies for students with ASD based on assigned readings.
- Students will be able to review a student file, conduct a teacher interview, and observe the student in an educational setting with the purpose of selecting IEP objectives.
- Students will be able to write instructional IEP objectives for students with ASD.
- Students will be able to select appropriate teaching procedures, including visual supports, to teach selected objectives (for academic, self-help, alternative behaviors, and other functional skills).
- Students will be able to conduct progress monitoring, teach others (e.g., paraprofessionals) to conduct instruction and monitor progress.
- Students will be able to plan instruction for a small group of diverse students.
- Students will be able to determine antecedents and consequences, characteristics of autism, and skill deficits that may contribute to behavior problems and design antecedent- and/or consequence-based interventions to decrease problem behaviors and increase appropriate replacement behaviors.
Topical Outline
- 1. Historical and current contexts related to teaching and autism spectrum disorders
- 2. Basics of teaching; assessing interventions for students with autism
- 3. Assessment of functional, academic, and problem behaviors for students with autism (including conducting interviews and observations)
- 4. Using visuals and writing related objectives (including use and measurement of schedules, work systems, instruction, priming, and prompts; 5 sessions)
- 5. Using and fading prompts for individuals and groups (2 sessions)
- 6. Teaching self-help and adaptive skills
- 7. Functional behavior assessment for problem behaviors
- 8. Function-based interventions for problem behaviors
- 9. Academic interventions (e.g., reading, writing, and math-specific interventions)
- 10. Teaching adults to implement interventions and collect data
