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Education of Students with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Contact: Tamara Marder (Montgomery County), 301- 294-7197
Designed for certified special educators and professionals from the related services disciplines, this 18-credit graduate certificate program addresses the wide range of competencies that are necessary for the provision of effective educational programming for students who are diagnosed with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.
Students may combine this certificate with a second certificate in special education to pursue the Master of Science in General Special Education Studies.
Prerequisite Course
(may be taken elsewhere; must have been completed within last 2 years)
871.510 Legal Aspects, Service Systems, and Current Issues in Special Education
This survey course reviews litigated and legislated standards for special education and related services for persons with disabilities. Students explore current issues in the provision of services for persons with disabilities, including inclusion, the response to intervention (RTI), and regulations for eligibility. (3 credits)
Certificate Program Courses
The following four courses are required (total 12 credits):
877.551 Survey of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Providing a comprehensive review of current information about autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, this course draws on research findings and clinical experience from a number of related disciplines, including psychiatry, psychology, neurobiology, and pediatrics. In addition to exploring theories of causation, developmental aspects, descriptive and diagnostic characteristics, and legal and social issues, students are introduced to the primary therapeutic and intervention strategies employed with students who have autism. The theoretical basis of, and empirical evidence for, the diverse traditional and nontraditional therapies that have been proposed for persons with autism are also explored.
877.553 Classroom Programming for Students with Autism
Students examine the design and implementation of effective classroom programs for students with autism who differ in age and level of functioning. The course topics include classroom structure and organization, group instruction strategies, educational assessment and IEP development, data collection, curriculum, instructional activities and materials, parent involvement, and staffing and support services. (3 credits)
877.555 Teaching Communication and Social Skills
This course examines the assessment and instructional strategies that have been shown to be effective in promoting the development of cognitive, language, and social skills by students who have severe disabilities, including those diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or other pervasive developmental disorders. Participants examine the instructional adaptations needed to promote the development of cognitive, communicative, and social skills in students with severe disabilities, and review the relevant empirical literature.
877.513 Education of Students with Severe Disabilities: Augmentative Communication Systems
Students examine the design of augmentative communication systems that include use of graphic symbols for individuals with severe disabilities. Participants design and construct communication aids and develop strategies for integrating augmentative communication into the curriculum.
Select one of the following two courses (3 credits):
871.513 Applied Behavioral Programming
This course will focus on the methodology of applied behavior analysis including how the principles of behavior can be used to make changes and improvements in classroom behavior. Observational methods, single-subject designs, behavior promotion and reduction, and generalization strategies are reviewed in relation to the needs of students with disabilities. Students assess and develop individual behavior projects that demonstrate their ability to design, implement, and evaluate behavioral support programs in an ethically responsive manner. (3 credits)
892.560 Assistive Technology for Educating Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities
(Lab Class) Participants explore a wide range of assistive technology applications for children with disabilities. Students consider needs based on the type of disabling condition, such as physical, cognitive, sensory disabilities, or multiple complex needs, as demonstrated by children with pervasive developmental disorders such as autism. Exploration of technology emphasizes the integration of assistive technology into effective instructional practices that improve learning research on best practices for the implementation of technology-based solutions.
Select one of the following two courses (3 credits)*:
877.810 Internship in Severe Disabilities: Elementary
Designed for severe disabilities program participants on the Maryland State certification and Non-Certification track, this internship provides supervised field experiences in the application of instructional strategies and curriculum adaptations needed to teach children with severe disabilities of primary and elementary school age.
Note: 12 credits of required courses approved by your advisor must be completed prior to Internship.
877.830 Graduate Project in Severe Disabilities
Students of demonstrated ability with special interest in services for persons with severe and multiple disabilities study under the direction of a faculty member in the School of Education. Applicants must meet with their faculty adviser and prepare an outline of their proposed projects prior to registration. (3 credits)
*Note: Students must obtain adviser approval prior to choosing the Graduate Project or Internship course. Students must earn a grade of B or better in the required internship. If a student earns a grade below B in the internship, the student must repeat the internship, and earn a grade of B or A. Students may not register for any other course during the repeated internship.
The information below includes program-related disclosures provided pursuant to federal regulations issued by the United States Department of Education on October 29, 2010, required for title IV eligible certificate programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
1. CIP Code: 13.1013
2. Credential Level: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
3. Program Length
a. Credits: 18
b. Weeks: 45
4. Occupations, by name and SOC Code, for which the program prepares
students, including links to O*NET occupational profiles:
students, including links to O*NET occupational profiles:
25-2051.00 Special Education Teachers, Preschool
25-2052.00 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
25-2052.00 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
25-2053.00 Special Education Teachers, Middle School
25-2054.00 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
25-2059.01 Adapted Physical Education Specialists
5. Costs of Program Completion: $11,916
25-2054.00 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
25-2059.01 Adapted Physical Education Specialists
5. Costs of Program Completion: $11,916
a. Tuition & Fees: $11,016
b. Books & Supplies (if not included in tuition/fees): $900
c. Room & Board (if applicable): Not Applicable
6. On-time Completion Rate: 63%*
7. Job Placement Rate: Not Applicable
8. Median Loan Debt upon Program Completion: $0*
a. Title IV debt: $0
b. Private Educational Loan debt: $0
c. Institutional Financing debt: Not Applicable
*27 students graduated from this certificate program in academic year 2010-11
*27 students graduated from this certificate program in academic year 2010-11
