Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - EDUC 710 G001

Special Topics

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Class Number: 1862

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Thu, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Variable units: 3, 4, 5.

COURSE DETAILS:

Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Research to Practice

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine in-depth the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the challenge areas (individual- and environmental-level) that autistic students face within school and community contexts. We will discuss the characteristics and early identification of ASD, and evidence-based strategies for supporting autistic students in the classroom and beyond.  The course will incorporate readings from education and psychology (often using the medical model of disability) as well as readings that include first-person perspectives of autistic individuals and neurodiversity perspectives (emphasizing the social model of disability). 

Classes will be made up of instructor- and student-led discussions of relevant research and its application to practice. Students will create a portfolio of resources and a research paper on a topic of their choice.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1) Students will gain a solid foundation of knowledge about ASD and the barriers faced by autistic individuals within school and community environments.

2) Students will develop a portfolio of resources for supporting autistic students and will produce a research paper on a topic of their choice (e.g., describing the evidence base for a particular strategy, or reviewing the literature on a controversy in the field).  The course will focus both on individual accommodations and interventions, and environmental adaptations to make learning settings more accessible to, and accepting of, autistic individuals.

 

Grading

  • Posted discussion questions 16%
  • Posted responses to discussion questions 12%
  • SFU Plagiarism Tutorial 2%
  • Class presentation 20%
  • Contribution to portfolio of resources 20%
  • Final paper 30%

NOTES:

This is a 5 unit class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

REQUIRED READINGS
Students are responsible for obtaining most of the papers (see for example SFU Library online search). Exceptions will be noted on the syllabus and readings that are not available through SFU library will be provided on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html