Autism I - PSY 493

AUTISM I - AN OVERVIEW

PSY 4931

Instructor: V. Mark Durand, Ph.D.

T.A.: Josh Nadeau

Office: USF St. Petersburg , TER 404

Office Phone: (727) 873-4055

Office Hours: By appointment

E-mail: autism@stpt.usf.edu

Textbooks

Miltenberger, R. (2003). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures (3 rd edition) . Belmont , CA : Wadsworth Publishing. ISBN: 053453600X

Koegel, R.L., & Koegel, L.K. (1995). Teaching children with autism . Baltimore , MD : Paul H. Brookes. ISBN: 1557661804

COURSE OVERVIEW

There has been a recent explosion in the amount of research on people with autism - a disorder that profoundly affects the way people communicate and relate to others. This course provides students with an overview of this research, touching on information about the causes of the disorder as well as historical and philosophical views. A major emphasis is to tie together all of the biological and psychological research with efforts to help these individuals live more productive and independent lives. Recent controversies are discussed and an integrative approach to treatment - which looks for commonalities among different therapies - is emphasized.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

This course will be delivered entirely online through the USF Blackboard System ( http://my.usf.edu ). All lectures, notes, study guide material and exams will be posted on this site. You will need access to a computer with an Internet browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape Navigator) and a broadband internet connection to best view the lectures.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Any student caught cheating on an exam will receive a grade of F for the course.

EXAMS

There are three 50-point multiple choice tests that each cover the material for one third of the course; this means the final will not be cumulative. The final grade will be determined by dropping the lower of the first two exam scores , then adding the remaining score to the final exam score.

Students must take all exams!

Material for the exams will be taken from both the lectures and the readings. The instructor will not change borderline grades.

GRADE POLICY

S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three weeks of the term. An incomplete will be awarded to students only under unusual circumstances and only with the pre-approval of the instructor. An 'I' grade indicates incomplete coursework and may be awarded to an undergraduate student only when a small portion of the student's work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade.

MAKE-UP EXAMS

Please note that, except under extreme circumstances, no make-up exams will be given . If you have an extreme circumstance (e.g., death in the family or serious personal illness) that interferes with your ability to take an exam, you should acquire appropriate documentation (e.g., original copy of a physician's note) and contact Dr. Durand immediately. No extra credit work (e.g., papers) will be accepted to improve exam grades.

COURSE OUTLINE