| Course ID: | EPSY 5120E. 3 hours. |
| Course Title: | Autism Spectrum Disorders |
Course
Description: | Autism spectrum disorder and other related disorders, with an emphasis on early identification, diagnosis, etiological, theories, and treatment approaches, both traditional and controversial. The course will also cover the stigmatization of autism and methods for being better consumers of information related to autism in the lay and scientific media. Readings will involve classic reading and current empirical literature, as well as information from the popular media. |
| Oasis Title: | Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in EPSY 5120, EPSY 7120 |
| Nontraditional Format: | This course will be taught 95% or more online. |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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| Course Objectives: | a. Identify and discuss current scientific knowledge about the causes of ASD and its increasing prevalence.
b. Describe the evolution of the diagnostic classification of ASD, specific ASD symptoms, and other cognitive and behavioral atypicalities observed among individuals with ASD.
c. Identify and discuss current scientific perspectives on the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of ASD and how they impact the development of behavioral symptoms.
d. Identify and discuss strategies and approaches used in the early identification and diagnosis of ASD.
e. Critically evaluate the scientific literature, research findings, and media reports related to ASD.
f. Identify and discuss the wide range of available interventions for ASD and understand how to determine which are
empirically supported.
g. Develop practical skills and strategies for use in the evaluation, education, and treatment of individuals with ASD.
h. Develop critical clinical thinking and professional communication skills in relation to ASD. |
| Topical Outline: | a. History and Diagnostic Evolution (Kanner to ADOS and Back); Review DSM
b. Epidemiology; Moderators: Gender, Age, and Ethnicity; Psychiatric Comorbidity
c. Etiology: Genetics, Neurobiology, and Environmental Contributions
d. Social Impairment and Early Social-Communication Behavior; Behaviorally Coding the ESCS
e. Repetitive and Stereotyped Interests and Behaviors
f. Speech and Language Processes; Language Interventions
g. Attention; Perception; Face Processing; Eye-tracking Demonstration
h. Differential Diagnosis; ASD Special Education Eligibility
I. Diagnostic Assessment Tools: Early Identification Screeners, Questionnaires, and Interviews
j. Diagnostic Assessment Tools: Behavioral/Observation; Review ADOS
k. Treatment: Science vs. Pseudoscience; Pharmacology
l. Empirically Supported Behavioral Treatments (ABA, PRT, DTT, Functional Analysis, etc.); Discrete Trial Teaching
m. ASD in the Schools: Special Education Services; TEACCH
n. Other Empirically Supported Intervention Approaches
o. Global Issues in ASD
p. ASD Knowledge and Stigma |