EDSP 502: Expanding Social Competence for Students with Autism Disorders
Prerequisite: EDSP 400 or EDSP 500
Credit Hours: (3)
Addresses strategies to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders to communicate
and socialize. Emphasis is on analysis of environmental demands, assessing social
competence, determining individual preferences, and offering instruction to address
priority skills that will positively affect socializing in a variety of contexts.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Students in this course will learn:
·What social skills and social competence are.
·About the medical model versus a social construction of disabilities.
·about the importance of social relationships to development and quality of life.
·Neurological/cognitive theories (theory of mind, executive dysfunction, and weak
central coherence) related to ASD and their impact on socialization.
·How to assess social environments to determine necessary social skills.
·How to assess social skills and prioritize, and plan for instruction related to social
skill preferences.
·How to critique social skill curricula marketed for families and educators who support
individuals with ASD.
· How to plan for and actively ensure generalization and maintenance of taught social
skills.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course may be conducted through lecture, discussion, cooperative group learning,
demonstrations, case study examples, textbook and journal article reading, and video.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
·Describe social skill development, social competence, and the unique social skill
challenges associated with having an ASD.
·Describe the importance of social relationships and the need for social interaction,
social rules, and age appropriate leisure activities.
·Complete an ecological assessment of social environments.
·Develop and implement a program designed to teach priority social skills.
Assessment Measures
May require students to:
·Complete reading assignments and participate in class discussions and activities.
·Write critical summaries of research articles related to the development of social
competence and social skill instruction for people with ASD.
·Complete quizzes and/or exams at the discretion of the instructor
· Design a plan for social skills instruction to use with a person with an ASD and
present it to the class.
Other Course Information
This class is co-listed with EDSP 402. Student performance will be evaluated through
differentiated assignments depending on EDSP 402 versus EDSP 502 level of the course.
Review and Approval
Approved: February, 2010