The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel • State College, Pennsylvania

SPLED 498C Special Topics in Autism (1 credit)

Instructor: David L. Lee, Ph.D., BCBA, Penn State

Teaching persons with autism can be a difficult task. However, with research-based techniques and a desire to provide appropriate programming, teachers can help increase skill development for this group of students. This course, associated with the National Autism Conference at Penn State, is designed to provide practitioners with information about effective instructional and behavior management techniques for students with autism.

Registration form for SPLED 498C Special Topics in Autism

Course Requirements

  1. Attend no fewer than six half-day or three full-day conference presentations during the conference week. The sessions may be part of a track (see the table below with possible tracks) or entirely student selected.
  2. Write a one-page summary of each session. This summary can be in outline or bulleted form. The goal is to identify content that the participant found particularly useful in each session.
  3. Identify two techniques and develop an implementation plan/report for the use of each technique in your classroom (or other learning environment). Each report should contain:
    1. one to two paragraphs describing the setting and the students
    2. a goal statement (i.e., Why are you implementing the program?)
    3. a summary of the procedures used. You should include a description of any materials used, as well as a step-by-step outline of each procedure. The criterion here is whether someone who did not attend the conference could read your description and then implement your procedures in a correct manner.
    4. a discussion of how well each procedure worked. Was it effective? List advantages/disadvantages.
Grading Rubric

Session Summary

6 @ 10 points

93–100%

A

   

90–92%

A-

Implementation Summary

2 @ 20 points

87–89%

B+

    

83–86%

B

Total

100 points

80–82%

B-

   

77–79%

C+

   

70–76%

C

   

65–69%

D

   

–64%

F

Session Tracks

  • Asperger's
  • Assessment/Instruction
  • Behavior
  • Communication and Social
  • Early Intervention
  • Family
  • Functional and Sensory
  • Leadership and Training
  • Secondary Issues