Apr 19, 2024  
2011-2012 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog 
    
2011-2012 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AUT 527 - Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders

3 cr.
It has been more than fifty years since the social and communication differences characteristic of autism were first described by Leo Kanner. During this time, research has produced a wealth of knowledge about the complex developmental processes involved in autism. The triad of impairments in social relation- ships, communication, and behavior and their rela- tionship with the idiosyncratic profile of cognitive strengths and weaknesses will be discussed in this course. This course will provide a framework for understanding these developmental differences in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The definitions and critical features of autism spec- trum disorders will be delineated. The learning, behavioral, and social characteristics of autism will be highlighted. In addition, we will review the state-of- the-art means of diagnosis and assessment of ASD.