GSDD5011 Autism Spectrum Disorders

Participants will be able to demonstrate an informed, reflective and critical approach to issues affecting people with autism and their families. Current research in a range of relevant areas of study such as assessment/diagnosis and treatment/management will be reviewed and discussed. Participants will be able to demonstrate understanding of this controversial, and at times contested disability from a range of perspectives which illustrate the need for an informed, multidisciplinary, collaborative approach. Students will have the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary assessment and management planning case presentations.

At the end of this unit of study, graduate students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the development of the idea of a spectrum of autistic disorders in relation to the historical background and perception of the disability and current thinking and research.
2. Identify the key issues in the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders from multiple professional perspectives and from the perspective of families of people with autism and the perspective of people with autism themselves.
3. Discuss the available empirical information about the underlying cognitive and sensory characteristics of autism, which inform observable autistic behaviours.
4. Critically evaluate the changes in the treatment and management of autism historically and today.
5. Explain the importance of multidisciplinary and collaborative practice in all aspects of the management of autism and the relationship between empirical information and the actual management of autism across the lifespan.
6. Examine the validity of a ‘neurotypical’ approach to the world from the perspective of people with autism.
7. It is anticipated that by the end of the course students will feel confident to critically appraise available information about autism across a range of mediums including the internet.

Jacqui has qualifications in education and speech pathology and a doctorate in applied linguistics. Her thesis explores the development of communication skills in young children with autism compared to young children with SLI with a particular focus on the role of echolalia in language development. Jacqui has worked as a lecturer and educator in Australia and overseas delivering both specialised programs in autism, and general training in Special Education and Speech Pathology. She also supervises doctoral students working in autism at a variety of universities and has honorary appointments at Macquarie University in the Department of Linguistics and the Special Education Centre.
Jacqui also works directly with people with autism, running an early intervention group one day a week at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) formerly the Autism Association of NSW for young children with autism and their families. In addition she coordinates research projects for Aspect and works as a research consultant for autism associations around Australia. From 1982 to 2002 she worked for Aspect in a variety of roles including teaching, speech pathology and senior management.