COURSE SYLLABUS
EDUC 528
COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND SENSORY ASPECTS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides students with an overview of the components of communication and
strategies to increase an individual’s communication abilities, with emphasis on visual aspects of
language. Sensory systems, sensory processing and sensory motor development and the
implications of sensory processing when developing a complete educational program for
students with autism spectrum disorder will be discussed.
RATIONALE
This course provides an overview of communication, language, and sensory research on etiology
and interventions for individuals with ASD in clinic, home, and school. Included are strategies
for team building, planning, data-based decision making, and evaluation. This class is the second
course leading to earning a comprehensive certificate in Autism by the state of Virginia.
I.
PREREQUISITES
EDUC 521, EDUC 527
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American psychological
association. Washington, DC.: American Psychological Association.
Bogdashina, O. (2005). Communication issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome.
Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN: 9781843102670.
Kranowitz, C. S. (2006). The out-of-sync child: Recognizing and coping with sensory
integration dysfunction (2nd ed.). New York: Perigee Trade. ISBN: 9780399531651.
www.LiveText.com membership: This is a website for portfolio development and the
submission of major course assignments. A one-time purchase is required for all
students in the Education program. ISBN: 9780979663567.
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research
regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific
personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.
III.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
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EDUC 528 Syllabus
IV.
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the candidate will be able to:
V.
A.
Plan for communication needs of individuals.
B.
Plan for sensory motor needs of individuals.
C.
Modify instructional techniques to promote positive communication and social
skills.
D.
Outline components of communication (form, semantics, pragmatics, and
processing) and its impact on the day-to-day experience of an individual with
autism.
E.
Identify a variety of strategies to increase an individual’s communication abilities.
F.
Discuss the sensory systems, sensory processing, and sensory motor development.
G.
Explain the implications or influences of sensory processing when developing the
complete program.
H.
Discuss how one’s biblical worldview relates to the acceptance of all children
regardless of disability.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
As the first activity in this course, please read the syllabus and Student
Expectations. After reading the syllabus and Student Expectations, the student
will then complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (7)
The candidate will complete 7 Discussion Board Forums in this course. Each
thread should be 400–500 words and 3–5 paragraphs in length. The thread should
be supported with at least 2 sources in APA format. The candidate will respond to
at least 1 classmate in 200–250 words. Each reply should cite at least 2 sources in
APA format.
D.
Journal Article Reviews (6)
The candidate will critically review 6 journal articles on assigned topics. Each
review must be 3–5 pages in length and cite 1 peer-reviewed journal in APA
format. A reference page is required and is in addition to the required page length.
E.
Intervention Review
The candidate will select an intervention from a list of 30 interventions and write
a critical review of its strengths and weaknesses. This review must be 5–8 pages
in length and cite at least 3 scholarly references in APA format. A reference page
is required and is in addition to the required page length.
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EDUC 528 Syllabus
F.
Parent Training Plan Paper
The candidate will review current literature on sensory processing disorders and
create a parent training plan in the form of a paper. This paper must be 5–8 pages
in length and cite at least 3 scholarly references in APA format. A reference page
is required and is in addition to the required page length.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (7 at 40 pts ea)
Journal Article Reviews (6 at 60 pts ea)
Intervention Review
Parent Training Plan Paper
Total
B.
10
280
360
180
180
1010
Scale
A = 960–1010 A- = 940–959 B+ = 920–939 B = 890–919 B- = 870–889
C+ = 850–869 C = 820–849 C- = 800–819 D+ = 780–799 D = 750–779
D- = 730–749 F = 729 and below
C.
Late Assignment Policy:
The nature of this course requires that the candidate interact with the material,
professor and other students on a weekly basis. Because of this, it is difficult to
achieve the fullest experience in this learning environment when assignments are
late.
If unable to complete an assignment on time, the candidate must contact the
professor immediately by email to make arrangements for the completion of that
assignment. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without appropriate
excuse and pre-approval will receive the following deductions:
1.
2.
3.
D.
Assignments submitted after the due date will receive a 10% deduction.
Assignments submitted more than one week late receive a 20% deduction.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final due date of the
class will not be accepted without documentation or extenuating
circumstances.
Disability Policy:
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport .
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