Syllabus
Course Title: Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Prerequisites: None
Course Facilitator: Alicia Hart
Email: ajhart@vcu.edu
Phone: 321-507-0853
Mailing Address: 1314 West Main Street
P.O. Box 842011
Richmond, Virginia 23284
The Course Facilitator provides oversight to the entire course by implementing course activities
and communicating with participants regarding course requirements and expectations. The
Course Facilitator is also available to answer questions regarding course content.
In addition, each participant will be assigned to a group with a Course Instructor. This instructor
will be there to assist the participants through the course content by sending reminders as you
complete the course modules. The course instructors are there to answer your questions! If you
have any questions about the course content, or expectations of the course for successful
completion of the course, then please contact your Course Instructor. At the beginning of the
course you will receive an email with your main contact person. You will also be able to access
this information on the Blackboard course site (www.blackboard.vcu.edu).
Technology Support:
All technology support questions should be directed to Andy Grizzard. You may reach him by
email or phone Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Requests for accommodations
should also be sent to Andy.
Email: grizzardaj@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 827-1434
Course Overview:
Autism Spectrum Disorders are considered to be a lifelong neurological developmental
disability, which share many characteristics. With the number of individuals diagnosed with
autism on the rise, there is a strong probability that you will encounter someone with ASD either
in your work or personal life. This course will provide participants with an understanding of the
primary characteristics of ASD, which include impairments in communication and social
development and the presence of repetitive patterns of behavior. Secondary characteristics,
including sensory processing differences and motor deficits will also be explored. The course
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will discuss the impact that ASD has on the person as well as the family unit. The course will
also provide an overview of learning styles, the history, cause, and early signs of ASD. The
course will provide an overview of learning styles, the history, cause, and early signs of ASD,
and will discuss the impact that ASD has on the person as well as the family unit.
Pace of Course:
You may access the course at any time of the day, seven days a week. Participants will have
access to the course for one month. Please see the dates listed in Blackboard for the exact dates
of the course. The content is divided into two modules that must be completed. Please note that
this is not a self-paced course. You will have assignments and due dates that must be met! You
will work your way through one module at a time. Participants will have access to Module 1 for
the first week of the course. Module 2 will become open at the end of the second week.
Participants:
This course is designed for general education teachers, special education teachers, related service
providers, paraprofessionals, administrators, family members and other service providers who
serve students with ASD in the educational setting.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
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Describe the history and causes of ASD
List the categories under the heading of ASD and describe the differences
Discuss the primary and secondary characteristics of ASD
Describe strengths of individuals with ASD
Describe the differing ways individuals with ASD learn
Discuss the impact ASD has on the person and the family
Discuss what ASD looks like across the life span
Access to the Course:
Participants will be able to access course materials on VCU’s “Blackboard” website. Each
participant is provided the course URL, a unique username, and a password that is used to logon
to the website. You will receive this information the first day of the course. Please note, the
username and password should not be shared with other individuals and each participant should
have his or her own email address.
Course Modules
Module One: Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Primary Characteristics
Week 1 & 2: April 7, 2014 to April 20, 2014
Consists of the following topics:
1. History and causes of ASD and its impact on the family
2. Communication
3. Social Skills
4. Behavior
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Assignments:
 Readings
 Respond to group discussion question posted on Blackboard
 Quiz
Module Two: Secondary Characteristics, Learning Styles and ASD across the Lifespan
Week 3 & 4: April 21, 2014 to April May 5, 2014
Consists of the following lessons:
1. Secondary characteristics
2. Comorbidity with other conditions
3. ASD across the life span
4. Learning styles
Assignments:
 Readings
 Respond to group discussion question posted on Blackboard
 Quiz
Course Standards
The following competencies are addressed from the “Skill Competencies for Professionals and
Paraprofessionals in Virginia Supporting Individuals with Autism across the Lifespan”
developed by the Virginia Autism Council.
General Autism Competencies
1.1.1S
Lists and explains the defining characteristics of autism (communication, patterns of
stereotypical behavior, socialization and social skill development) as the impact on
the individual.
1.1.2S
Lists and explains the associated characteristics commonly present in autism (ex:
difficulties in sensory processing, motor skills, theory of mind and imitation) and the
impact on the individual.
1.1.3S
Lists and explains the associated cognitive characteristics and learning styles
commonly presented in autism (ex: difficulties in executive functioning attending,
planning, abstract thinking, problem solving) and the impact on the individual.
1.1.5S
Describes the continuum of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the basic differences
between each including Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder –Not Otherwise
Specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, and Childhood
Disintegrative Disorder (CDD).
1.1.6S
Describes the range of possible behaviors across the lifespan.
1.1.8S
Describes the current understanding of etiology and prevalence of autism.
Course Requirements
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This course is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge of autism spectrum
disorders. The modules are comprised of recorded presentations, website links, videos and
readings, discussion board assignments and a quiz. Participants will have two weeks to complete
each module. All components of the course must be completed by midnight on the final date of
the class. Questions and comments are encouraged. The instructors will do their best to make
sure that the course meets each person’s needs for learning. Please e-mail the instructors if you
need assistance.
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Content Review: The course will include recorded presentations, web site links,
videos and readings to provide the course content that will facilitate learning. The
course content will be provided at the start date of the each module and remain
available 24 hours a day until the last day of class. It is the responsibility of the
participant to complete all learning activities prior to completing the module and
taking the quiz.
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Quizzes: There will be one quiz per module for a total of two quizzes. A total of 100
points are possible for each quiz. The quizzes will be multiple choice and true/false
and are provided to determine acquisition of course content. The quiz will be
available at the start of the module and is to be completed prior to the last day of the
module. An average score of 80% or better is needed on each quiz to successfully
complete the course. If a minimum score or 80% is not achieved on the quiz, the
participant must contact the course facilitator (Alicia Hart at ajhart@vcu.edu) to
discuss an alternative assignment designed to show comprehension of the module’s
objectives. If an alternate assignment is required, it must be completed by the end of
the course. Those who do not successfully pass the quiz or the alternate assignment
will not be able to receive a course certificate of completion.
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Group Discussion Board: In addition to passing the weekly quiz or an alternative
assignment (if needed), participants are required to post on each module's Group
Discussion Board. There will be one question posted by the facilitator. The
participant must post 2 separate times prior to the conclusion of the module. Those
who do not successfully complete the activity within the designated time frame will
not be able to receive a course certificate of completion.
A total of 10 points are possible (5 points per entry) for each Group Discussion Question.
You have to post a minimum of 2 times per lesson to earn these points. Please do not
expect to post in all of the discussion boards at the end of the course and receive points
for participation.
FIRST POSTING = Each lesson, one discussion question will be posted by the instructor.
Answer the instructor’s question.
SECOND POSTING = Read instructor’s comments/questions and at least one other
person's posting in your group. Respond to the instructor or the classmate by asking him
or her a question or commenting on the posting from your own experiences.
*One of the major benefits of this course can be the instructor and participant interaction.
If all you do is post your reply and never read any other responses, you are missing some
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of the content for the course. You can e-mail your group instructor at any time to ask
additional questions. You can make this a rewarding experience and learn from each
other if you will try to really "talk" to each other.
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Readings: Reading assignments are available on Blackboard.
Certificate of Completion from Virginia Commonwealth University:
Participants can earn a Certificate of Completion from VCU if the following is successfully
completed:
1. Score a minimum of 80% on each of the two quizzes to receive a passing grade for each
module.
2. Participate in the discussion boards for each module and earn a total of 20 points.
Once the course instructor determines that a participant has completed the course successfully, a
link to download a Certificate of Completion will be sent to the email address provided.
Points for educators working towards licensure renewal (recertification) may be awarded for
completion of this online course. VDOE provides the following requirements regarding
professional development activities: Point value: one point per clock/contact hour; must be a
minimum of five hours per activity. We estimate this course to take a total of 20 contact hours to
complete. Any teacher, who wants to use it as a professional development activity for recertification needs prior approval of the school district. The school district will be responsible for
designating the actual number of points that a teacher can earn for participating in the course.
Continuing Education Units:
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) can be earned for successful course completion. VCU has
determined that the course requires 20 contact hours to complete, which translates to two (2)
CEUs. Once a person earns a certificate of completion for the course, he or she can request
CEUs from the university. The cost is $30 paid directly to Virginia Commonwealth University.
To purchase CEUs, please contact Teri Blankenship at tcblanke@vcu.edu.
Please note that the course/training does not meet any of the requirements for initial
licensure in special education or any category of licensure endorsement.
Course Content Support:
Contact your group instructor or the course facilitator, Alicia Hart, at ajhart@vcu.edu or (321)
507-0853.
Course Technical Support:
Contact Andy Grizzard for technical support issues at grizzardaj@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1280.
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