Autism Certificate Overview

he 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:  [email protected]

Sequence of Courses

The Autism Certificate includes five courses and one seminar (16 credits).

After completion of the sequence, participants may choose to apply to Northern Vermont University and, if accepted, pursue a Master’s Degree or a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Some of the credits from the VT-HEC program may be transferred into the graduate program.

• Fall Courses
• Spring Courses
• Summer Course

• • EDU 5371 Applied Behavior Analysis I (3 credits)
  • EDU 6372 Applied Behavior Analysis II (3 credits)
  • EDU 5710 Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits) (every other year)
  • EDU 5710 Teaming & Collaboration Seminar (1 credit) (every other year)
• • Continuum of Communication: Family-Centered Assessment and Intervention for Students with Autism (3 credits)
• • New Behavior course coming soon!

Course Descriptions

Applied Behavioral Analysis I: Introduction to Concepts and Principles

This course will provide the learner with an introduction to the principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis. Upon completion of this course the learner will understand the vocabulary of ABA and learn how environmental events influence human behavior. The student will also learn how to measure behavior in applied settings, learn how to structure the learning environment to increase pro-social behaviors and/or decrease maladaptive behaviors and perform functional behavioral assessments.

Applied Behavior Analysis II: Advanced Concepts & Principles/Beginning Applications (Prerequisite: ABA I)

In this course, students will learn about behavioral assessment and measurement systems with an emphasis on functional behavior assessment (FBA) and the development of effective measurement systems that can be used in educational and community settings. Students will learn how to apply the concepts and principles of behavior analysis and behavior analytic procedures to change behavior for the betterment of the individual. Students will be expected to read and critique a variety of research studies and related articles on a weekly basis and select a current topic in ABA to study and present findings in class.

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.

Continuum of Communication: Family-Centered Assessment and Intervention for Students with Autism

This course focuses on communication assessment and intervention for students with Autism. This course also details intervention for socialization and play, two other key components of the continuum of communication for children with autism. Learners will focus first on studying and detailing various components of and options for assessment for students with autism from a strengths-based approach. Each learner will also identify and collaboratively problem solve challenges that can occur with evaluations in this population. As a major focus for this course, learners will understand and detail application of various frameworks as well as specific intervention programs for supporting students with autism.

This course will utilize a variety of teaching tools and teaming activities to provide learners with multiple opportunities to explore various profiles of individuals with autism. As part of these experiences, learners will gain experience teaming to support a child with autism and their overall needs in socialization, communication, and play.

Working With Tough Teams and Building Effective Partnerships

This one-credit course is designed to prepare special educators, related service providers, mental health professionals, para-educators, and parents to collaborate effectively in order to address the complex needs of children with significant challenges. The content of the class will include forming productive teams, understanding roles and responsibilities of the case manager and other team members, developing goals and priorities as a team, navigating difficult conversations and resolving conflicts as they arise. Participants will also learn how to effectively support and utilize para-educators. The workshop content is important for all educators but essential for those professionals working with children whose needs are intense and complex.

Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.