Program Codes:
CGRAUT
Graduate Certificate
Availability: campus
In addition to being a required Special Education graduate course for all students, this course meets the requirements of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) graduate certificate program, and serves as the third course in this sequence of instruction. It is also one of the three required courses in the Autism concentration/endorsement program. Instruction and related activities will cover advanced concepts related to behavioral theory, and behavioral assessment and intervention techniques related to teaching, learning, and management of aberrant behaviors within the group-oriented context of the classroom. Of particular interest will be the application of basic principles of operant conditioning to group-oriented behavioral contingencies, the development of systems support concepts to ensure that such interventions may actually be carried out, the incorporation of solid behavioral principles in teaching practices and curriculum design, strategies to develop self-management, generalization procedures, strategies to promote independence within classroom routines, and differential schedules of reinforcement. Students will have the opportunity to review behavioral assessment techniques and applications, reinforcer assessment, singlesubject research design, and data analysis. Above all, this course will focus primarily on practical applications of ABA within a group/systems context.
This one-credit course supplements EDSP 501 for students who are seeking ASD Endorsement for their Pennsylvania Department of Education Certificate. It provides 30 clinical hours in the field working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It is a requirement only for those wishing to obtain the ASD Endorsement. EDSP 501 and EDSP 504 are ideally taken simultaneously, but students may take EDSP 504 at a later date if they choose to pursue endorsement. All applicable clearances are required.
Current issues related to diagnosis, etiology, prevalence, and prognosis of ASD will be discussed. Candidates will learn the defining characteristics of, and diagnostic criteria for, ASD and other associated defining characteristics of, and diagnostic criteria for, ASD and other associated disorders. This course will explain the relevant history of the disorder as it relates to educational services for individuals with ASD. Candidates will be instructed on the use of various diagnostic instruments and procedures. Additionally, candidates will examine effective collaboration practices used with families, agencies, and the greater community when educationally planning for this population of students. This knowledge base will be built upon in subsequent coursework within the certification sequence. This course has been designed to ensure that students demonstrate required knowledge and skills as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's competency areas I (Characteristics and Etiology of ASD) and IV (Collaboration with Families, Agencies, and the Community).
A diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is often associated with significant impairment in social skills, communicative abilities, da ily-living tasks, as well as academic skills. Despite the challenging nature of these impairments, research has shown unequivocally that behavioral instructional approaches can be used to promote adaptive repertoires and functional skills. This course will provide candidates with an in-depth examination of evidence-based assessment and instructional methodologies for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Candidates will learn to critically evaluate the scientific merits of interventions. Furthermore, candidates will learn to develop and implement comprehensive assessment methods to measure progress and make data-based decisions. This course has been designed to ensure that students demonstrate required knowledge and skills as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's competency areas related to instruction methods and assessment.