SWK 619 Autism Spectrum Disorders

The goal of this course is to provide information necessary to assess and intervene with persons who Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Students will become familiar with a variety of topics that relate to ASD. Issues related to diagnosis, etiologies, and characteristics of Autism across the lifespan will be presented. Additionally, this course will provide a framework for understanding and implementing effective interventions; and, profiling the strengths and challenges of each intervention including ways to compliment individuals' strengths and needs, family capacity and the family's cultural values and beliefs 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. This course will reinforce and build upon concepts learned in other human behavior and social work courses. Methods discussed will incorporate social work practice principles such as self-determination, strengths focus and client empowerment. In addition, social work practice principles such as institutional reform, understanding of oppression and stigmatization of groups, and respect for diversity will be addressed in regard to ASD populations. Evidence based practice research related to ASD treatment and organizational practices will also be discussed.

Credits

3