| Unit name | Autism in theory and practice |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EDUCM0086 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Sedgewick |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Education |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Through this unit, students will learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to critically evaluate the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of educational approaches to autism and autistic students. It will involve engagement with cognitive and social theories of autism, synthesising these with practice-based knowledge. We will review and evaluate interventions used in classroom settings, as well as those which aim to support the development of social and daily living skills, applying theoretical knowledge to practical outcomes. Throughout the course, the value of critically analysing and combining theory, research evidence, and own-voices accounts will be emphasised.
Unit Aims
The unit aims to enable students to:
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will demonstrate that they can:
Formative Assessment
Students will prepare and deliver a five-minute presentation on a topic from the early sessions of the unit, critically reflecting on the impact this has on either research or educational practice.
Teaching will be delivered as an intensive three-day course. These sessions will take place at the University of Bristol.
There are no distance learning or e-learning components to the course.
Summative Assessment 1 – ILOs 4, 5 – 25%
Five-hundred-word blog style piece of writing presenting how one theory of autism seeks to explain one or more aspects of autistic educational experiences (e.g. behaviour profile, cognitive style, social profile, academic achievement), with reference to empirical research. Also expected – a section on how insights from this theory could be applied at classroom/school level to improve autistic educational experiences.
Summative Assessment 2 – ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5' – 75%
3000-word essay synthesising theory and research relating to how these can provide and improve support for autistic children and young people in educational settings.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUCM0086).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
