COURSE TITLE:

AUTISM: Questions & Answers

NO. OF CREDITS:

6 QUARTER CREDITS
[semester equivalent = 4.00 credits]

WA CLOCK HRS:  
OREGON PDUs:  
PENNSYLVANIA ACT 48:  
60
60
60

INSTRUCTOR:

Michael Sedler
mike@communicationplus.net

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

There are many students who appear to lack social understanding, have difficulties with communication and with basic learning skills.  The general term of “Autism” is often thrown about and quickly attached to these types of children. 
What is Autism?  What are the causes?  Is there a cure?  What other issues impact those children who are diagnosed and fall within the spectrum of Autism?   Different people with autism can have very different symptoms. 
In this course, we will learn about Autism, gain a greater medical understanding of Autism, understand characteristics and causes, as well as focus on intervention approaches and learning models that assist children within the school setting.
This course will assist anyone working with children who show characteristics of Autism. Whether you are an educator, a parent, a relative, or simply someone who wants more understanding about this complex and confusing disorder, this course will give you a solid knowledge base.
This is a course designed for all educators working within the school setting, Pre-school through High School.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

1. Recognized key characteristics of disorders discussed in class.
2. Listed numerous types of autism and share a greater understanding of each one.
3. Developed effective intervention approaches for children identified within the Autism Spectrum.
4. Modified curriculum to meet the special needs of children with Autism and other areas of needs.
5. Identified various methods of interventions and how they apply to varying disorders.
6. Analyzed a case study, develop interventions, and provide appropriate levels of academic activities.
7. Looked up disorders within the DSM-IV and understand general medical diagnosis information as well as purposes of medications for disorders.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit.  The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit. 

 

HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participant’s their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.

 

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

  1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
  2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
  3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%

 

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

You may choose a book from the Bibliography OR Select a relevant book on your own, with my prior approval.
The Bibliography is located at the end of the syllabus. 
Text books may be ordered directly from the publisher (see the list/phone numbers at the back of your manual), online, or through bookstores. 
 
 

None. All reading is online.

MATERIALS FEE

A course manual may be downloaded, from the instructor’s website at http://www.michaelsedler.com/ without charge, once you have registered for this course. Click on classes, from there scroll down the page and click on the orange lettering ‘Manual’ next to the class “Autism”. It will download as a PDF. While there is no fee for the manual, you may have to pay in order to order a book from the bibliography. Or, you may borrow one from a friend or check one out at the public library for free.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

Mike Sedler, D.Min., M.S.W. brings over 30 years of educational experience as an administrator, social worker, behavior specialist and teacher to each of his classes.  

He provides consultation services and seminars throughout the United States and Canada for schools, agencies and businesses.  He has been teaching “adult learning classes” since the mid 1980’s and has had the privilege of working for The Heritage Institute for over 25 years. 

He has a graduate degree in Social Work, a Doctoral degree in Ministry, a Counseling license, as well as his teaching certification (K-8).  His combination of classroom experience, behavior intervention approaches, and involvement in working with hundreds of families allows for an excellent blend in all his classes.

Mike is passionate about children and emphasizes the importance of avoiding power struggles, offering options/choices to children, setting clear boundaries and guidelines as well as finding a place of positive engagement and connection with each individual.  His heart for people and emphasis on positive communication are found throughout his seminars and classes.

All of Mike’s classes are practical and “field tested” in schools and classrooms. Educators have found ongoing success in implementing Mike’s clear and concise approaches.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AUTISM: Questions & Answers

You may choose any book from this Bibliography or a book of your own.
Ansell, Gill. Working with Aspergerʼs Syndrome in the Classroom. New York, NY. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010.  866-416-1078. www.jkp.com
Strategies to support children in the classroom.
Beytien, Alyson.  Autism Every Day.  Arlington, TX: Future Horizons, 2012. 800-489-0727 www.fhautism.com
Professional and personal approach to practical ideas for Autism.
Boroson, Barbara.  Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Inclusive Classroom.  Scholastic Teaching Resources, 2016.  800-724-6527.  www.scholastic.com
Caldwell, Alice.  Autism: Communicating While Impaired.  Amazon Digital Services, 2015.  www.amazon.com
Explains areas of communication and the importance of interacting effectively with ASD individuals.
Carbone, Paul and Rosenblatt, Alan.  Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Every Parent Needs To Know.  Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012  866-843-2271 www.aap.org
Helping families to assist their children as they negotiate this difficult disorder.
Elven, Hejlskov. No Fighting, No Biting, No Screaming. New York, NY. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010. 866-416-1078. www.jkp.com
Strategies to reduce aggression.
Grandin, Temple and Richard Panek.  The Autistic Brain.  Boston, MA.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2014. 800.225.5425. www.hmhco.com
An explanation of the brain, genetics and causes of Autism along with treatment suggestions.
Notbhohm, Ellen and Veronica Zysk.  1001 Great Ideas For Teaching And Raising Children With Autism. Future Horizons, 2012. 800-489-0727 www.fhautism.com
Quick ideas and interventions for children with special needs.
Pierangelo, Roger and George Giuliani. Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008. 800-233-9936. www.corwinpress.com
Step by step format to help children gain a greater independence in academics and social skills.
Price, Sara Elliott.  Asperger Syndrome Explained.  Success Life Publishing, Amazon Digital.  2014.  www.amazon.com
A straight forward book on understanding Asperger’s syndrome.
Prizant, Barry.  Uniquely Human.  New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2015.  800-223-2336  www.simonandschuster.com
A common sense book with strategies for interventions and stories to assist in understanding.
Sicile-Kira. Chantai.  Autism Spectrum Disorder.  New York, NY: Penguin books, 2014.  800-733-3000.   www.penguinrandomhouse.com 
A solid overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Wylie, Philip.  Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome.  Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014.   215-922-1161.  www.jkp.com
A timely resource to investigate late diagnosis and how it impacts individuals, jobs, and families.