Autism Certificate Overview
The VT Higher Education Collaborative is offering a training program for educators, mental health workers and others who are interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Upon completion of the required courses, participants will be awarded an Autism Certificate stating that they have successfully completed a course of study with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Application and Admissions Requirements
Applicants to VT-HEC’s Autism Case Manager Program must possess a Bachelor’s Degree.
For more information contact Joy Wilcox, joy.wilcox@vthec.org
Sequence of Courses and Course Descriptions
The Autism Certificate includes five courses and one seminar (17 credits).
After completion of the sequence, participants may choose to apply to Johnson State College and, if accepted, pursue a Master’s Degree or a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. All 17 credits from the HEC program may be transferred into the graduate program.
| Course | Fall | Spring | Summer | Credits |
| EDU 5371Applied Behavior Analysis I | In Specific… |
…locations… | …as needed | 3 |
| EDU 6372Applied Behavior Analysis II | X | 3 | ||
| ASD 299 (UVM)Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues in Assessment & Intervention | X | 3 | ||
| EDU 5710Social & Adaptive Skills | X | 4 | ||
| EDU 5710Teaming & Collaboration Seminar | X | 1 | ||
| EDU 5710Curriculum and Instruction | X | 3 |
Course Descriptions:
Applied Behavioral Analysis I: Introduction to Concepts and Principles
This course will provide the learner with an introduction and overview of the basic concepts, principles and techniques of ABA. Upon successful completion of this course the learner will be conversant with the vocabulary of Applied Behavior Analysis, understand how environmental events influence human behavior, know how to measure behavior in applied settings and begin to learn how to structure learning environments to increase pro social behaviors or decrease maladaptive behaviors
Applied Behavior Analysis II: Advanced Concepts & Principles/Beginning Applications (Prerequisite: ABA I)
This course will review the basics of ABA and teach advanced ABA theory and methods. Through literature reviews and practical experience, the student will begin to apply ABA principles to teaching situations and to the management of maladaptive or interfering behaviors. Legal and ethical issues and considerations will be explored as well.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues in Assessment &Intervention (Offered by UVM)
This course will highlight current research regarding neurodevelopmental issues in autism, the diagnostic criteria used to identify children with ASD, assessment and intervention considerations in communication, social interactions and play; the selection and use of appropriate evaluation tools. The course will also focus on developing an understanding of the role of families in the assessment and intervention of children and adolescents with ASD. Further, the course will create a framework for understanding and implementing effective interventions; profiling the strengths and challenges of each intervention including ways to match children’s strengths and needs and family capacity with the interventions selected. Students will be exposed to collaborative and interdisciplinary models of service delivery that ensure family centered and culturally competent approaches to assessment and intervention.
Building Social and Adaptive Skills in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course will provide participants with an overview of evaluation and intervention options for facilitating social and adaptive skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Materials will highlight promising practices and research based instructional strategies related to building social and adaptive skills. Participants will work in teams to establish the appropriateness of the strategies based on a feasibility framework and determine the methods by which progress will be measured. In addition to the course requirements discussed above, all student s will participate in a fifteen hour practicum. The practicum, will involve the participants developing and implementing a social or adaptive intervention plan for an individual with autism spectrum disorder.
Building Collaborative Teams and Effective Partnership for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This seminar is designed to prepare special educators and case managers to team and collaborate with others in order to best meet the needs of children with autism spectrum disorders. Participants will be introduced to the research and literature base supporting collaboration as well as to several tools or frameworks to assist in collaboration, consultation, and goal development, including Creative Problem Solving, Making Action Plans for Students (MAPS), and others.
Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PreK-Early Elementary or Mid- Elementary – High School)
This course will provide participants with an overview of assessment, curriculum and instructional strategies based on current research for children with autism spectrum disorder. Collaborative teaming and inclusion will also be discussed and practiced as an integral part of the course structure. The course will address students at all ability levels and focus on the development of academic skills, including reading (comprehension and production), writing (expression and mechanics) and math (operations and problem solving). Students taking the course will be expected to conduct a comprehensive review of research for children with ASD and apply their knowledge through an individualized case study.