OnlineCertificate inEffectiveStrategies forCoping withAutism SpectrumDisordersMother - Sharon Link-Wyer, Ph.D.Son - James Link - a young manwith autism

OFFERING CERTIFICATES THROUGH BRANDMANUNIVERSITY SINCE 2008.

Earn creditswhileyou teach!

What are autism spectrumdisorders?Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group ofcomplex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, invarying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbalcommunication and repetitive behaviors. With the May 2013 publication of theDSM-5 diagnostic manual, all autism disorders were merged into one umbrelladiagnosis of ASD. Previously, they were recognized as distinct subtypes, includingautistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmentaldisorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.

ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordinationand attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinaldisturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, themost obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2and 3 years of age. Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effectivemethods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioraltherapies can improve outcomes. Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect ofthis work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role.

What Is Autism? (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2016, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autismLink, S., Ph.D. (2008). Asperger Syndrome and Maternal Experiences: An Exploration of Raising Children with Asperger Syndrome. Berlin, Germany: Verlag.

From my dissertation...

Numerous heuristic interviewsthat I conducted indicatedthere was a correlationbetween autism andexperiencing an extremetraumatic event during the sixthto seventh month of gestation.This occurred with all subjectsthat I interviewed whosechildren were diagnosed withautism spectrum disorder.

Researchers at U.C. SanDiego examined brains ofunborn children whosemothers experienced atraumatic event duringpregnancy that were laterdiagnosed with autism showingveracity for my initial findings.

The conclusion was thattraumatic stress duringpregnancy is harmful to theunborn child.

Autism StatisticsOn March 27, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)released new data on the prevalence of autism in the United States. Thissurveillance study identified 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) ashaving autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

ASD is about 4.5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in189).

Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals with ASDwith an average prevalence of between 1% and 2%.

About 1 in 6 children in the United States had a developmental disability in2006-2008, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and languageimpairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectualdisabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism.

DID YOU KNOW?

Data & Statistics. (2016). Retrieved December 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Risk Factors Studies have shown that among identical twins, if one child has ASD, then the other will be affectedabout 36-95% of the time. In non-identical twins, if one child has ASD, then the other is affected about0-31% of the time.

Parents who have a child with ASD have a 2%–18% chance of having a second child who is alsoaffected.

ASD tends to occur more often in people who have certain genetic or chromosomal conditions. About10% of children with autism are also identified as having Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, tuberoussclerosis, or other genetic and chromosomal disorders.

Almost half (about 44%) of children identified with ASD has average to above average intellectualability.

Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having ASD.

A small percentage of children who are born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater riskfor having ASD.

ASD commonly co-occurs with other developmental, psychiatric, neurologic, chromosomal, andgenetic diagnoses. The co-occurrence of one or more non-ASD developmental diagnoses is 83%. Theco-occurrence of one or more psychiatric diagnoses is 10%.

Data & Statistics. (2016). Retrieved December 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Autism For Life

Data & Statistics. (2016). Retrieved December 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

While autism is usually a life-longcondition, all children and adultsbenefit from interventions ortherapies, that can reducesymptoms and increase skillsand abilities. Although it is best tobegin intervention as soon aspossible, the benefits of therapycan continue throughout life.

Our Certificate Program offers in-depth strategies to help teachersand educational professionalsthat you can use immediately inyour work with autistic students.

Autism in the classroom: One size doesn’t fit all

The parents and the professionals all agree that it takes lots ofhard work to help a child with autism get the most out of theclassroom experience. It also takes, they say, a good dose of

structure and the understanding that every child with an autismspectrum disorder is unique. That means each child has different

symptoms as well as styles of learning.

W E B M D

About OurProgram

We have been offering an online Certificate in Effective Strategies

for the Autistic Student since 2008.

The program is accredited through Brandman University.

There are six online, self-paced courses - including two new

offerings!

We meet with you weekly via GoToMeeting at a convenient time to

provide insights and situational awareness.

Each course is worth three-semester credits to advance your

teaching certification.

We provide meaningful strategies that you can implement in your

classroom tomorrow!

HERE'S WHAT YOU GET...

Benefits for youand yourstudents!

You take classes online, just in time that fit with your busy lifestyle.

You will learn about (a total of) 48 topics in the entire program

directly co-facilitated by an autistic person.

The information is cutting-edge, relevant, and timely.

We work with you to customize the program to your classroom and

personal situation.

Each course is worth three-semester credits to advance your

teaching certification for a total of 27 quarter credits. if you take the

entire program.

Depending on which option you choose, the program costs $2,000

to $3,000.

HERE ARE THE ADVANTAGES

Earn your online Certificate in Effective Strategiesfor Coping with Autism and learn directly from anautistic adult. Teachers and learning professionalsearn professional development credits to continueyour education certificates in partnership withBrandman University. One of the essential benefitsof this program is that you learn directly from anautistic adult.

James Link is an adult with autism. He wasdiagnosed with autism by two differentprofessionals and is one of 17% of the adult autisticpopulation who lives on his own in an apartmentwith his two therapy dogs, Trapper and Chloe.

James contributes to the facilitation of the coursesalong with his mother, Dr. Sharon Link-Wyer. Heoffers insights, suggestions, tips, and advice fromhis experience living with autism.

He knows the difficulties of living with a disabilityand shares challenges he faced in childhood andobstacles he still faces - including not being hiredfor employment despite numerous attempts.Discrimination in the workplace runs rampant forindividuals with disabilities.

To complete the Certificate, you need to take fourout of six courses.

1. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders

2. How to Cope with Autism in School

3. Behavioral Supports for Children with Autism

4. Social Supports for Children with Autism

5. Transitioning Teens with Autism to Adulthood

6. Living with Autism as an Adult

Each course is 3 graduate-level semester creditsand lasts 8 topics/weeks. At $500/per course, youlearn the content, meet weekly via GoToMeetingwith the course facilitators, read the customizedmaterials, and access content that is going to helpyou TODAY with the students in your classroom.

Thank you for enrolling in these courses!ALL proceedings generated from these coursessupport an adult with autism.

ABOUT OUR COURSES

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

ABOUT OUR COURSES

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

SPED 6996OVERVIEW OF AUTISMSPECTRUM DISORDERS

SPED 6997HOW TO COPE WITHAUTISM IN SCHOOL

SPED 6998BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS FOR

STUDENTS WITH AUTISM

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

This course familiarizes participantswith autism spectrum disordersincluding high and low functioningautism, disorders including high andlow functioning autism,Asperger Syndrome, and PervasiveDevelopmental Disorder, which theDSM­V classifies as Autism SpectrumDisorders.

Participants will become familiar witheach disorder and learn abouttherapeutic and educationalinterventions to deal with autism.

An overview of IDEA, least restrictiveenvironment and other lawfulmandates will be taught.

This course familiarizes participantswith educational strategies to be usedfor children with autism spectrumdisorders. You will learn aboutpractical strategies for coping withautism in the classroom.

Special education requirements will beoverviewed and suggestions forintentional integration will bepresented.

Opportunities for virtual learning, onthe job training, life skills education,and special education law will beoffered as an extended understandingin meeting basic educational needs forindividuals with autism disorders.

This course familiarizing participantswith behavioral strategies to be usedfor children with autism spectrumdisorders. You will learn aboutpractical strategies for coping withautism in the classroom.

You will learn about AppliedBehavioral Analysis, the Floor TimeModel ®. Special educationrequirements will be overviewed andsuggestions for accommodation willbe offered.

Finally, you will learn practicalbehavioral strategies and specialized,scaffolded instruction in generaleducation classrooms (elementaryand secondary).

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

ABOUT OUR COURSES

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

SPED 6999SOCIAL SUPPORTS FOR

CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

SPED 7000TRANSITIONING AUTISTIC

TEENS TO ADULTHOOD

SPED 7001LIVING WITH AUTISM

AS AN ADULT

8 TOPICS | 3 CREDITS$500

In this course, you learn about thesocial deficiencies and requirementsfor the autistic student at school.

You learn support strategies to helpthe autistic student improverelationships with peers, improveeye contact, and identify a key personto bond within the school. Youunderstand the benefits ofworking with a trained Speech andLearning Pathologist at school to workwith you in the classroom.

Social Stories and (Picture ExchangeCommunicate System) or PECS will beexplored. And, you will learn aboutbeneficial apps for autism. Thesestrategies were very helpful for my sonJames.

This class explores the transition fromautistic teen to autistic autistic.

The course is co­taught by an autisticperson who is on this journey andenables participants to interact directlywith a high functioning autistic personto ask questions, seek inputs, andmore deeply understand the livedexperience of an autistic personthrough the lens of pragmaticapplication.

This course sheds light on meaningfulstrategies to better prepare the non­social teen for the social, educationaloccupational world. Case studies,scenarios, videos, role plays, andother experiential learning techniqueswill be used to engage and educate.

What happens to autistic adults afterthey grow up? Depending on theseverity of the autism; only 17% of thesevere autistic population live on theirown. However, for those formerlyclassified with Asperger's Syndrome;the future can seem brighter on theoutside. But, this is a person who goesthrough life with no evident socialcircle, who may be unemployed orfaces difficulties at work.

This course examines the adultexperience of living with autism. Tipsand strategies are provided thatexplore advocacy, livingarrangements, relationships, includingmarriage, occupation, discrimination,and coping with mental health issuesthat arise from living with autism. 

LINK AUTISM LEADERSHIP AT LINKAUTISM.ORG

To learn more abouthow we can help visit:

To enroll in our courses to benefit your student or loved onevisit:http://leadershipviadesignstore.com/autism.aspx

Note: These courses are in no way intended to clinically diagnose or medically treat autism. If you are seekingtreatment, please go to a trained Psychiatrist or Physician specializing in mental disorders.