The focus of Bay Path College’s certificate in autism is designed to help a graduate student acquire comprehensive, evidence-based information to assist in developing effective educational programming for students with (ASD) autism spectrum disorders.
Completion of four required courses enables you to complete the graduate certificate.
SPE 546 (3 credits) - Online
Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course focuses on children with autism and examines the variety of exceptionalities and special needs of these children, emphasizing the development of collaborative partnerships among educators, clinicians, and (especially) parents and families. Neurobiological, psychological, educational, social, and emotional factors will be addressed. Specialized teaching strategies, techniques, and environmental/curriculum modifications for children with autism will be studied, including strategies for successful inclusion.
SPE511 (3 credits)
Applied Behavior Analysis
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the application of behavior analysis to a wide variety of human conditions. The definitions, etiologies, and characteristics of severely disabling conditions; theories, concepts, and methods of assessing children and adolescents; preparing, implementing, and evaluating IEP’s; ways to prepare and maintain students in general education; relevant federal and state special education law; techniques for developing skills to facilitate placement in the least restrictive environment; augmentative and assistive technologies; and history of applied behavior analysis will be covered, as well as the use of behavioral principles to increase and decrease behavior. The role of assessment and generalization and maintenance issues will be stressed. Some applications that are highlighted include self-control, token economics, systematic desensitization, and stimulus control and modeling.
SPE 552 (3 credits) - Online
Problem Solving and Program Analysis in Autism
This course will provide students with in depth knowledge of research-based teaching programs. Participants will learn the scientific cycle of assessment-planning-implementation-evaluation, acquire tools to participate effectively in cross-disciplinary teams and to collaborate with families of students with autism, and have the opportunity to reflect about collaborating with families when developing and implementing teaching programs. Established programs and professional resources will be presented to increase the knowledge of available educational options.
SPE 560 (3 credits) - Online
Advanced Techniques and Process for Behavior Change
During this course, students will review and demonstrate a repertoire of planning, teaching, and supervision skills in programs for learners with autism. Designed as a practical and in-depth review of key behavioral instruction procedures tailored to the unique learning needs of students with autism, the course helps students demonstrate and evaluate methods of instruction. Presented in a highly visual, engaging, and step-by-step manner, course materials help students practice the cycle of evaluation, implementation, and analysis in areas such as communication and social behavior. Students learn how to perform some key aspects of teaching more deeply and effectively with models, “how to” fidelity checklists, and practice exercises. The examples and activities provide practical ways to set up, implement, and monitor educational programs. Special emphasis will include practice on reducing a problem behavior and learning to supervise others as they implement programs.