Autism/HFA brochure

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Continuing Education

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Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning AutismAn online series

Nurturing their talents, addressing their needs

2010–2011

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Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA)

>>> An ONLINE certificate of completion emphasizing the social cognitive differences of students with Asperger’s syndrome and other forms of high functioning autism and examining strategies to enable them to succeed in general education, at home, and in the community.

What is Asperger’s syndrome?

Children and adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome and related

disorders are often unable to grasp or display appropriate social

skills, creating barriers to learning and socialization. This series

examines how these disorders affect behavior, social interaction,

and learning skills and offers specific techniques, strategies, and

environmental modifications that have enabled many of these

students to break through. Key topics include diagnostic issues,

educational implications, and programming recommendations.

Most students with Asperger’s syndrome and similar forms of high

functioning autism are in mainstream settings. Many have superior

potential. Success can follow when general and special educators,

counselors and therapists, administrators, and parents collaborate

to accommodate students’ needs and nurture their talents.

Who will benefit from the series?

• General education teachers

• School psychologists and guidance counselors

• Speech and language therapists and reading specialists

• Special educators, learning specialists, and paraprofessionals

• Administrators

• Parents

• Students seeking careers in education or social services

The courses in the Asperger’s syndrome series are offered entirely online. There is no requirement to travel to the Portland State University campus to complete any portion of these classes. Potential on-campus meetings are video streamed online so that students residing out of the Portland metro area can participate.Pr

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• Administrators

• Parents

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2010–2011 > > Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Series > > 2010–2011

Courses

SUMMERA Different Way of Thinking: Introduction to Understanding Students with Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Disorders ED 410/510 3 CREDITS

Identify the major characteristics that define Asperger’s syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA), the prevalence of these disabilities, and the differences between individuals with AS/HFA and those with classic autism. Learn the process of diagnosis of AS/HFA and the criteria for eligibility for special education and related services in school programs, the characteristics of social understanding and interaction, language development, and social communication that may be affected by AS/HFA. Understand the characteristics of cognitive abilities and processing styles, motor abilities, and other areas that may be related to AS/HFA. Focus on the impact individuals with AS/HFA may have within the family. Understand the roles of various professionals in the treatment and education of individuals with AS/HFA and the importance of a team approach to treatment and education.

FALLMaking the Connection: Educational Strategies for Students with Social Communication Challenges ED 410/510 3 CREDITS

Using case studies, identify and assess students with social-cognitive disorders and develop effective social-pragmatic tools, strategies, and assessments. Develop appropriate IEP goals and implement various educational programs, modifications, and accommodations to improve cognitive-behavioral outcomes. Understand how characteristics specific to ASD may impact an individual’s social performance, knowledge, and understanding, as well as the necessity to consistently evaluate and modify social-skills instruction based on a child’s unique learning needs. Learn how to advocate for student eligibility and the need for effective social-skills assessment and programming for school-age children with AS/HFA.

WINTERMeeting the Challenge of Transition for Learners with Asperger’s Syndrome ED 410/510 3 CREDITS

Focus on the challenges faced by students with AS and HFA during times of transition. Through online discussions, assigned readings of professional literature, case studies, videos, interviews, and research articles, understand the critical life issues during transitions and identify the needs of a student at each grade level/age into adulthood. Topics covered include IDEA requirements for transition, strategies for transition planning across grade levels, teaching self-advocacy skills, modified/alternative diplomas, family perspectives, legal aspects to consider, and collaboration of services.

SPRINGCircles of Support: A Collaborative Approach to Teaching Students with Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Disorders ED 410/510 3 CREDITS

Demonstrate processes of collaboration to support students with AS/HFA and related disorders from elementary through post-secondary grade levels. Use practical assessment strategies to identify strengths and needs in order to guide individualized intervention. Design the individualized intervention and monitor its effectiveness within a variety of settings (school, home, and community).

Develop plans and apply environmental support and strategies that may include accommodating sensory differences, biological needs, and cognitive inflexibility in executive functioning; providing curriculum modification and design; and using instructional methods and teaching skills such as social thinking, social interaction with adults and peers, self-regulation, self-advocacy, positive behavior supports, parents as team members, and transition planning.

Faculty

Fawn Anderson, MA, is an autism specialist with the Northwest Regional Educational Service District (NWRESD). Ms. Anderson develops and implements intensive behavioral programs and provides consultation to teachers, parents, and other professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder.

Laura Anderson, MEd, is an autism specialist with NWRESD and serves as a consultant to school district staff and families supporting ASD students. She has presented numerous trainings on ASD-related topics for classroom and school-wide staff and is skilled in consultation and instruction on autism spectrum disorders for educators, families and children.

Tamra Hass, MS, is a licensed speech pathologist and has worked with children with communication delays in school districts and in private practice. She has worked for the Columbia Regional Program as an autism specialist/speech pathologist and as autism program chair, training and mentoring new autism specialists and collaborating with school administration on issues of policy and procedure. Ms. Hass has authored two computer-based assessments and curricula for autism spectrum disorders, developed and presented regional workshops on the subject of autism, and has had extensive experience applying and individualizing positive behavioral intervention strategies.

Regina Moreno, EdD, has been working in the field of special education for nearly 30 years. She is currently a senior faculty member for PSU in the Graduate School of Education in the Counselor and Special Education department. Her area of expertise includes the assessment, program development, and instruction of individuals with significant disabilities, including students with ASD. Ms. Moreno provides staff development services, site-based training, workshops, student behavioral/educational program development, and other supports to school districts and families in Oregon and Washington states.

Related programs of interest

• Autism Certificate of Completion www.ceed.pdx.edu/autism

• Special Educator Professional Development Opportunities www.ceed.pdx.edu/sped

Admission information

The Asperger’s syndrome online certificate does not require admission. There are no prerequisites. While courses can be taken in any order, it is strongly recommended that students begin with the overview class, A Different Way of Thinking: Introduction to Understanding Students with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Registration

Register online or by phone

• Online: If a credit course has a five-digit course reference number (CRN), you can register online at www.banweb.pdx.edu.

• Phone us with your Visa/MasterCard information or purchase order number: 503-725-4832 or toll-free 1-800-547-8887 ext 54832. You will need to know the course number, title, and registration fee.

Register early. Many courses have limited enrollment and fill quickly.

For current course schedule and reference information, please go to www.ceed.pdx.edu/aspergers and click on the Current Courses link.

Blackboard informationCourses are delivered using the Blackboard course management system. In order to access a course, you must have a computer with unrestricted access to the internet and be proficient in the use of computers, including email, web browsers, word processing software, and streaming media players. For specific information about accessing a course, configuring your computer, and using the tutorials, please go to www.psuonline.pdx.edu.

For more information> Contact Leah Hershey at

[email protected], 503-725-8102, 1-800-547-8887 ext 58102, or go to www.ceed.pdx.edu/aspergers.

> PSU Continuing EducationGraduate School of Education www.ceed.pdx.edu

Courses

Faculty

Registration

Courses

Faculty

Registration

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Autism/HFA brochure

Documents

Transcript of Autism/HFA brochure