Autism Support Certificate Program - Elizabethtown College

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Autism Support

Interdisciplinary Autism Support
Certificate Program

One in 54 children are diagnosed with Autism. That number is projected to increase in the next five years. Additionally, the number of young adults and adults with Autism continues to rise. But there are limited resources and programs diedicated to addressing community living and occupations for this population.

The Interdisciplinary Autism Support Certificate Program is designed to train professionals to address the needs and issues faced by these individuals and their communities and help them to solve real-world problems.

This certificate is ideal for occupational therapists, teachers, special educators, therapists, health care professionals, counselors, and any professionals wishing to expand their perspectives on understanding the latest research related to Autism, intervention approaches, particularly with children, adolescents, and adults with Autism, and then addressing the identified needs of this population through an interdisciplinary approach.

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Program Formats:

Online

Credits Required: 12

Tuition:

$525/Credit
10% Alumni Scholarship

Program Outcomes:

Appreciate, understand the complexity, and compare autism strengths and challenges across the lifespan, from diagnosis through adulthood.
Implement evidence based interoception assessments and interventions to improve sleep, eating, toileting, education, emotional regulation and social participation individually and in group settings.
Use evidence based lifestyle (focus on food choice) assessment and interventions to improve sleep, eating, toileting, emotional regulation and social participation individually and in group settings.
Design and create programs and environments that support individuals with autism in their homes, schools, at work and communities.

Certificate
Requirements

The Interdisciplinary Autism Support Certificate Program requires 12 credit hours of academic work.

Sample Progam Schedule:

TERM:

Fall II

Spring I

Spring II

Summer I

COURSE:

ASC 500

Autism Across the Lifespan

ASC 510

Interoception Assessment and Intervention

ASC 520

Lifestyle Modification with Autism

ASC 530

Developing Responsive Programs for Autistic Community

Click on the course below for the description:

This course focuses on understanding autism across the lifespan. Understanding the physical, cognitive and social skill limitations and strengths in each phase of life. Case studies will be the primary learning tools, with students developing a long-term intervention plan for an individual on their current or future caseload based upon the concepts discussed. (3 credits)

This course discusses evidenced based interoception awareness tools used by professionals in the field to assess and intervene to improve sleep, emotional regulation, toileting, eating, education and social participation. Emphasis is given to the various types of assessment and intervention techniques that yield outcomes in individual and group settings. (3 credits)

This course discusses evidenced based lifestyle tools used by professionals in the field to assess and intervene to improve sleep, emotional regulation, toileting, eating, education and social participation. Respecting sensory differences with regard to lifestyle modification, especially eating, will be discussed. Emphasis is given to the various types of assessment and intervention techniques that yield outcomes in individual and group settings. (3 credits)

The course is the capstone experience of the certificate. Students integrate previous coursework, knowledge, and skills. The course is designed around each candidate working with a case study (ideally current client) to create a final summative project where a program or environment is designed to maximize strengths in a community setting. This course is the final course taken in the certificate. (3 credits)

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Are you ready to enhance your skills and make a difference? Get started today with the Interdisciplinary Autism Support Certificate Program at Elizabethtown College!

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Career Outlook

In-demand specialized skillsets for Occupational Therapists, teachers and other health/human services professionals:

Skill	Postings	Projected Growth
Autism Diagnosis/ Treatment/ Care	4,447	23.50%
Behavioral Health	683	21.66%
Applied Behavioral Analysis	664	47.96%
Behavior Analysis	538	50.99%

I needed to find a school that fit into my crazy lifestyle while giving me the opportunity to interact with my instructors and peers. Elizabethtown College offered me the best of both worlds. They truly understand the challenges of working adults.

– Melissa Boyles

When I decided to go back to earn my bachelor’s degree, Etown offered me the ability to work at my pace. The program was very accommodating and the instructors were flexible and understanding of my needs working full-time as a single mother.

– Mariko Bender

Each facilitator excels your knowledge and skills. The professors teach relevant material that you can apply in your current job immediately.

– Tony Knepp

I wanted to make a difference and make an impact in my career. I built my foundation through the Elizabethtown College program. I also wanted to give my kids an example of a role model to give them the motivation to pursue their goals.

– Marilyn Murray

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Meet Your
Program Director

Dr. Kerri Hample

Dr. Hample has significant clinical experience working with children, young adults, and adults with Autism. She conducts therapy using a family-centered and person-centered approach and has focused her work around functional health/ medicine and Interoception Awareness and Processing.

Dr. Hample, along with Kelly Mahler (adjunct faculty) and OT graduate students, have conducted various scholarship projects over the past 4 years with increasingly strong evidence for the implementation of select strategies to improve Interceptive Awareness and of resulting improved function as it relates to participation in school, social events, and eating/ toileting with children. This scholarship has been presented at local, regional, and national occupational therapy conferences and has been received with great enthusiasm from the occupational therapy community. This research has also resulted in an international group of occupational therapy practitioners who are invested in using these strategies and participating in current and future scholarship opportunities. Based on the response of the OT community, including the international OT practitioners involved in the latest research project, we believe that there is a need and desire for such courses within the greater, global, occupational therapy community.

Have Questions? Not Sure Where to Start?
Our experienced Admissions staff is here to help. Fill out a brief contact form and one of our counselors will reach out to guide you on your way.

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Elizabethtown College

717-361-1411

One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

Elizabethtown College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status. This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.

Elizabethtown College

Interdisciplinary Autism Support

Interdisciplinary Autism SupportCertificate Program

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Program Formats:

Credits Required: 12

Tuition:

Program Outcomes:

Certificate Requirements

ASC 500 Autism Across the Lifespan

ASC 510 Interoception Assessment and Interventions

ASC 520 Lifestyle Modification with Autism