AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Develop Skills for Teaching Students with ASD

2007 Learning Opportunities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The University of St. Thomas offers professional development opportunities for educators, therapists, paraprofessionals, consultants and parents who want to support the growth, development and learning of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). You will gain in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of ASD and their effects on children's lives.

Although there is no specific Minnesota license in ASD, schools across the state recognize a need for focused training in this critical area for autism specialists and other pre-K-12 educators.

Through the St. Thomas graduate programs in autism spectrum disorders, you will:

• Explore the history and current thinking on ASD.
• Understand the impact of ASD on sensory processing, anxiety, social perception and communication.
• Learn identification and evaluation methods for educational settings.
• Study processes for establishing priorities for educational needs and Individual Educational Program (IEP) goals and objectives.
• Discover techniques that support the selection of instructional interventions, support strategies and monitoring systems.
• Gain access to research and resources that will provide ongoing access to ASD information.

A Variety of Options to Suit Your Needs

• Take a single course or more for graduate credit offered during the school year and through the Summer Institute on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Take five courses (15 semester credits) and earn a graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Credits may be applied toward the Master of Arts in Special Education degree (34-37 semester credits).

Prerequisite Requirements

A baccalaureate degree is a prerequisite to registration for any University of St. Thomas graduate courses in autism spectrum disorders. Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders (CTED 701) is a prerequisite to other courses (CTED 702, CTED 703). CTED 701 is offered fall 2006 as well as summer 2007.

Summer 2007 Institute on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Course Full - CTED 701

Fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorders
(CTED 701 - 3 Graduate Continuing Education Credits)

Develop an understanding of ASD and its effects on life and learning. Explore the history, current thinking, issues and practices related to meeting the needs of individuals with ASD. Students are required to take CTED 701 before taking CTED 702 or CTED 703.

June 25-29, 2007

Communication and Social Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CTED 702 - 3 Graduate Continuing Education Credits)

Develop competencies in communication and social skills. Learn to evaluate, identify needs, develop goals, design interventions, monitor effectiveness and adjust programming for individuals with ASD. Prerequisite CTED 701.

July 23-27, 2007
Prerequisite: CTED 701
 

Course Full - CTED 703
Methods and Materials for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CTED 703 - 3 Graduate Continuing Education Credits)

Learn how ASD affects an individual's thought, perception and sensory processing. Also covered are the effects on motor, vocational, academic, organizational and other functional skills. Learn to develop, implement, and evaluate an effective individual educational plan or a family service plan for an individual with ASD. Prerequisite CTED 701.

Aug. 13-17, 2007
Prerequisite: CTED 701

Course Full - CTED 703

Past Instructors

All courses feature team teaching by this interdisciplinary team:

Marilyn Howard, M.A., CCC. Howard has been an educational speech-language pathologist for 25 years. Her areas of interest and expertise are ASD, social communication, proactive behavior management and augmentative communication.

L. Lynn Stansberry-Brusnahan, M.S., Ph.D. candidate.  Brusnahan is a faculty member at the University of St. Thomas.  She taught previously for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  She is an autism resource specialist and the parent of a child with autism.  She is president of a local chapter (ASSEW) and serves on the board for a state chapter (ASW) of the Autism Society of America (ASA).  She has presented at local, state and national conferences.

Sue Wolff-Given, M.Ed. Wolff-Given is an autism resource specialist and special education teacher. She has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities for nearly 25 years. Wolff-Given has taught graduate courses in ASD and developmental cognitive disabilities, and has presented at local and national conferences. Her areas of interest and expertise include developing inclusive school communities and proactive behavior support.

2007 ASD Summer Institute

Course Full - CTED 701

Course Full - CTED 703

Questions?

Department of Special Education
School of Education
University of St. Thomas
MOH 217
1000 LaSalle Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403-2009

(651) 962-4980
(800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4980
education@stthomas.edu