Online; no travel to campus required

• Next sessions:
  EDUC 744 967 January 20 - March 13, 2009
• 3 graduate credits

Description: This course investigates current research, etiology, characteristics, special issues, educational interventions, and programming considerations to work effectively with autistic children in the mainstreamed/inclusive classroom.

Increasing numbers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are found in today’s classrooms. The Center for Disease Control has determined that one in 150 children have some disability within the autism spectrum. New guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (October, 2007) stated that all children should be formally screened for autism at 18 and 24 months. As a result of these startling statistics, there’s an urgent need for school professionals to increase understanding and ability to work effectively with autistic children in the mainstreamed/inclusive classroom.  

The course is designed for PK-12 general educators, special educators, guidance counselors, school nurses, other support staff, administrators, and pupil service personnel seeking professional development.

Because this class is asynchronous and open to you 24/7, you may participate from your home or work computer during hours that are best for your work and family schedule. Instruction will be differentiated to accommodate learners with varying levels of technical knowledge.

The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component.

Content Outline

1. Introduction  - What is Autism
2. Language Skills and Communication Interventions
3. Social Skills of Students with ASD and Interventions in the Inclusive Classroom
4. Sensory Needs and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
5. Positive Behavior Support for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Inclusive Classroom
6. Programming in the General Education Classroom for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Least Restrictive Environment Issues
7. Working with Parents of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
8. Applying New Knowledge and Strategies

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course, students will:

1. Articulate an understanding of the historical perspectives, etiology, and main characteristics of young, middle age children, and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
2. Research and discuss the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders on the student’s language, communication, academic, social, sensory, and behavioral functioning in the classroom.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder on family dynamics and school-family communication.
4. Research and analyze the pros and cons of various behavioral and instructional approaches and apply best practice strategies in an inclusive classroom for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
5. Utilize a wide range of online resources, strategies and educational interventions; demonstrate the ability to differentiate and adapt various strategies effectively for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in an inclusive classroom.
6. Plan for the role and management of paraprofessionals and differentiate between the appropriate and inappropriate use of paraprofessionals in fostering independence for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
7. Collaborate with professional specialists to modify classroom activities and assignments and design a co-teaching lesson based on models of effective collaboration skills between general education and special education teachers.

Alignment with Teaching Standards

Course objectives are aligned with the following:
Wisconsin Standards for Teacher Development and Licensure
WI DPI: # 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

Wisconsin Standards for Administrator Development and Licensure WI DPI-Admin # 1, 2, 3, 5

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Knowledge and Skill Standards Common Core, # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10

Required Textbook:

Kluth, Paula. (2006). “You’re Going to Love This Kid”: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.

Available at amazon.com

In addition to the textbook, participants will be asked to read materials and tutorials available on the WWW.

Prerequisites:

What are the minimum technology requirements?

Complete the system checkup on this website, https://uwstout.courses.wisconsin.edu/
by clicking on the link that says: Check your system.

Review the list of compatible/recommended browsers and software programs for Learn@UWStout at the Online Help Desk.

If you have any questions about these preferences, please call one of the numbers listed below and indicate that you are a UW-Stout student needing help with Learn@UW-Stout . Help is available 7 days a week.

• 1-888-435-7589 select option 3
, or
• 1-608-264-4357 select option 3

Modem - 56 kbps ( A high speed connection to the Internet is preferred. )
Operating System - Windows XP, Macintosh OSX or System 9 (Older operating systems will work for most of the course content.)
Memory - 128MB of RAM (256 or greater preferred) Older computers will be able to access most of the course content.

All projects will be exchanged by posting to the course DropBox, and your peers and instructor will provide suggestions and comments by posting to the discussion board.

Take a few minutes to review the Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQs).

Instructor:
Faith Huitt - background information

REGISTRATION:
Sign Up Soon
Tuition is payable by university billing, MasterCard, or Visa.
Participants may select the payment plan option in fall and spring, but it is not available during summer session. Refund policy

Enrollment is limited to twenty participants; register online .

Check out the list of additional online classes.

For additional information, e-mail your comments or questions to:

Contact: Joan M. Vandervelde
Online Professional Development Coordinator
School of Education
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
Menomonie, WI 54751
phone: (715) 642-0209
fax: (715) 232-3385

Pre-Class Activities
After you are enrolled, review the orientation activities, Student Expectations and Responsibilities and Academic Expectations and Dishonesty Policy.