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SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Special Education-College of Education

 

Autism Spectrum Program

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Competencies

Candidates in the Autism Spectrum program will demonstrate the following professional competencies in autism related knowledge and skill:

1. Nature of Autism in Theory and Practice
  1.1 Historical and theoretical foundation
  1.2 Current definitions (state, federal)
  1.3 Early indicators, etiology, prevalence
  1.4 Diagnostic tools, criteria (DSM-IV) and differential diagnosis
  1.5 Characteristics associated with ASD
  1.6 Current and emerging practices and service delivery models
2. Individualized Educational Services and Supports
2.1 Develops IEP in collaboration with family and professionals across disciplines
2.2 Responsive to social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds of each individual and family with consideration of family preferences

2.3

 

Degree of structure and level of intensity adapted to child’s strengths, challenges and emergent potentials
2.4 Incorporates child’s preferences and special interests in program goals and methods
2.5 Incorporates environmental and instructional adaptations and accommodations 
3. Assessment Frameworks and Procedures
3.1

Typical and atypical learning and development across the lifespan

3.2 Formal and informal assessment tools and techniques

3.3

 

Systematically collects and analyzes multiple sources of data across settings to assess and monitor individual learning, development and overall progress

3.4

 

Constructs profiles of strengths, challenges and emergent potential across core domains of learning and development

   
  • Cognition and learning style
  • Communication and language
  • Social (interaction and relationships with adults and peers)
  • Play and imagination (representational)
  • Behavior patterns (activities, interests)
  • Sensory processing
  • Adaptive functioning (daily life skills/self-care)
  3.5

Uses results to set realistic and meaningful goals and plan instruction and intervention

4. Curriculum and Instruction
4.1 Balanced functional, developmental and academic curriculum aligned with California Learning Standards (http://www.cde.ca.gov/standards).and addresses Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) for English language learners
4.2 Well planned, systematic and differentiated instruction adapted to range of ages, abilities, interests and learning styles
4.3 Instructional activities provide multiple opportunities to practice skills across natural learning contexts within home, school and community
4.4 Varied instructional formats through multiple modes of one-to-one, small group, large-group, adult-directed, child-centered, and peer mediated instruction geared to individual
4.5 Supports maintenance of learned skills over time and generalization of skills to natural settings
5.

Structuring Learning Environments

5.1

Clearly organized and comprehensible learning environments 

5.2

Use of visual cues and supports to maximize engagement and learning

5.3

Incorporates predictable routines, rituals, schedules for activities and events

5.4

Structures materials and work tasks

5.4

Defines physical space with clear boundaries

5.5

Facilitates transitions, flexibility and change

6.

Addressing Challenging Behaviors

  6.1 Functional approach through Positive Behavior Supports
  6.2

Responsive to unique modes of communication, social-emotional regulation and sensory processing

  6.3

Data-based functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and behavior supports plans consistent with state and federal guidelines

  6.4

Application of a variety of empirically validated behavioral intervention strategies (ABA, cognitive behavior, developmental, sensory-based)

  6.5

Crisis intervention techniques

7.

Supporting Communicative Competence

  7.1

Patterns of speech, language and communication in ASD

  7.2

Continuum of approaches to assessment and intervention (discrete trial, traditional behavioral, developmental, social-pragmatic)

  7.3

Supports intentional and spontaneous communication across partners, activities and settings

  7.4

Functional expressive and receptive communication for mute, pre-verbal and verbal children

  7.5

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies
Integrating verbal and nonverbal forms of communication

8. Supporting Social Competence
  8.1 Patterns of socialization with adults and peers in ASD
  8.2 Supports spontaneous joint attention, imitation, initiations and social reciprocity across partners, activities and setting
  8.3 Adult-directed social skills training (ABA/direct instruction)
  8.4 Child-centered approaches (developmental, relationship-based, transactional)
  8.5 Peer-mediated practices
  8.6 Social-cognitive approaches
9. Supporting Play/Leisure and Imagination
  9.1 Patterns of play and imagination in ASD
  9.2 Supports spontaneous engagement in a range of developmentally and age-appropriate play/leisure activities across independent and social contexts
  9.3 Incorporating play materials, activities and themes varying in degree of symbolic representation
  9.4 Adult-directed approaches
9.5 Child-centered approaches
9.6 Peer-mediated approaches
10. Inclusion with Typical Peers
10.1 Facilitates inclusion across natural contexts within school, home and community settings
10.2 Explicit guidance for both children with autism and typical peers
10.3 Creates culture of inclusion via awareness activities that promote understanding, empathy and acceptance of diverse learners with ASD
10.4 Consistent opportunities to form social relationships and mutual friendships
10.5 Guided participation in mutually enjoyed activities that are a natural part of the peer culture (play and recreation)
10.6 Designs inviting play spaces and selects play materials with high interactive potential
11. Transition, Vocational and Independent Learning
11.1 Promotes adaptive behaviors to foster independence at all age and ability levels
11.2 Plans transitions from one classroom, program or service delivery system to another
11.3 Supports transition to self-determined careers and post-secondary education and community living
11.4 Training in vocational and independent living skills
11.5 Interagency collaboration
11.6 Self-advocacy and disclosure perspectives of adults with ASD
12. Family Support and Partnerships
  12.1 Supports parents and family members as active participants in all aspects of child’s education
12.2 Responsive to family culture, language, values, parenting styles and personal perspectives
12.3 Facilitates communication between school, home and community
12.4 Provides family with timely information, education and resources pertinent to child’s needs
12.5 Assists family in accessing community supports and services 
12.6 Collaborates with family to improve professional practices
13. School and Community Partnerships
13.1 Links with community agencies and organizations serving diverse learners with ASD across the lifespan
13.2 Interdisciplinary team collaboration within and across systems
13.3 Accesses community supports and services for children and adults with ASD and their families
13.4 Facilitates communication between school, home and community
14. Professional Literacy and Leadership
14.1 Peer reviewed journals and publications on research and practice in ASD
14.2 Professional and parent organizations (local, national and international)
14.3 Current trends and controversies in the field of ASD
14.4 Judges quality and efficacy of educational program models, services and practices
14.5 Engages in reflective practice via multiple modes of field-based systematic inquiry
14.5 Uses multi-media technology to produce and present educational tools and techniques

Key Sources

Competencies are based on findings and recommendations of the following:
California Department of Developmental Services with California Department of Education (in preparation) Advisory Committee: ASD Guidelines for Effective Interventions
Dunn Buron, K, & Wolfberg, P. (Eds). (in press) Learners on the autism spectrum: Preparing highly qualified educators. Shawnee Mission, KS:Autism Asperger Publishing Company.
Iovannone, R., Dunlap, G., Huber, H., & Kincaid, D. (2003). Effective educational practices for students with ASD. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 18 (3), 150-165.
National Autism Center – National Standards Project (in preparation) www.nationalautismcenter.org
National Research Council (2001) Educating Children with Autism. Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism: Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Academy Press: Washington, D.C.
Professional Standards including: (a) California Standards for the Teaching Profession (1997), (b) Quality and Effectiveness for Education Specialist Credential Programs (CCTC, 1996) and (c) Council for Exceptional Children
Scheurmann, J., Webber, E., Boutot, A., Goodwin, M. (2003) Problems with personnel preparation in autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities, 18 (3), 197-206.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education (2003) Autism Summit Conference: Developing a National Agenda

Contact us to learn more
autism@sfsu.edu

Hot off the press!
Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators
Edited by DunnBuron
& Wolfberg
     
 
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved