SPE3002 Autism Spectrum Disorder

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) view the world from a different perspective to all other children. The combined difficulties in areas of communication, socialization and behaviour can make the world a threatening and confusing place for a child with autism. It is important that teachers understand the complexities of ASD in general and the specific strengths, interests and abilities of each child with ASD so that modifications to learning and school life are appropriate and effective.

SYNOPSIS

SPE3002 introduces the beginning teacher to the world of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Students will interrogate the triad of difficulties experienced by children with ASD, in particular communication, socialization and behaviour difficulties. They will research aspects of ASD and Asperger syndrome to understand the complex nature of the disorders. Teaching and learning strategies to maximise learning outcomes for students with ASD will be integral to each part of the course. Understanding the component difficulties experienced by students with ASD will also inform the processes and skills required to manage behaviours in the classroom setting. NOTE: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to this offering. Should enrolments not reach the minimum number required for on-campus study, students may be transferred to the EXT or WEB offering and advised of this change before semester commences.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.

identify and describe the components of the triad of difficulties experienced by students with ASD. (Peer Mediation and Quizzes)

2.

articulate the diverse nature of students with ASD including those students with Asperger syndrome. (Peer Mediation and Quizzes)

3.

identify a range of teaching strategies that address learning difficulties in the areas of communication and socialization. (Peer Mediation and Quizzes)

4.

demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in information literacy skills, including critical and reflective thinking (Peer Mediation and Quizzes)

5.

demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing. (Peer Mediation and Quizzes)

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Dodd, S 2005, Understanding autism, Elsevier, Marrickville, NSW.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

The Examiner will advise the due dates for all assessment items.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   ON-CAMPUS MODE: It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. EXTERNAL AND WEB MODE: There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them including discussion fora scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Students will require access to e-mail and have Internet access to UConnect for this course.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.