This course provides an overview of the various types of developmental disabilities as experienced throughout the lifespan. Students will have the opportunity to develop a working knowledge of the unique challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, including problems associated with transitional periods in development. In addition, the course will provide an understanding of the assessment process in diagnosing developmental disabilities, as well as how to select the services that will meet the unique needs of individuals and assist them and their families in developing and implementing an individual plan. The course will also address cultural factors in the experience of developmental disabilities and in service provision.  The course will also outline strategies for working with families in order to improve access and engagement in services. (3 credits)

This course familiarizes students with the different components of program design such as developing a program philosophy, mission and vision, marketing and budgeting. In addition, the process of program evaluation, including needs assessment, formative research, process evaluation, impact assessment, and cost analysis will be covered. Students will gain practical experience through a series of exercises involving the design of a conceptual framework, development of indicators, and development of an evaluation plan to measure impact. In addition, the course covers experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental study designs, including the strengths and limitations of each. (3 credits)

This course focuses on disability viewed from the perspective of lifespan development and the family life cycle. The course will discuss a wide range of issues in this area including: the sociology of the family; the experience of family members of persons with a disability; the educational system and its impact on outcomes of children with disabilities; characteristics of successful inclusion efforts, and the relationship between inclusion and school reform. Transitional issues from youth to adult life for individuals with disabilities will also be discussed.  These will include: family life of adults with disabilities such as, marriage, parenting, and caring for aging parents; the importance of social networks and support in the lives of people with disabilities; and approaches to challenging dynamics, such as individuals dually diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Finally, the use of various treatment approaches and support options for individuals with disabilities will be discussed. (3 credits)

This course discusses current laws related to disabilities such as ADA and IDEA as well as contemporary issues affecting the lives of individuals with disabilities and the daily responsibilities of disability professionals. This course further examines the application of ethical principles to matters associated with genetics, treatment decisions, and competency. (3 credits)

Provides an introduction to the health disparities experienced by individuals with developmental disabilities. This course will cover the Declaration on Health Parity for Persons with Disabilities issued by the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). Challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in access to appropriate medical, dental, and mental health services will be discussed as well as the importance of health promotion for those with developmental disabilities. The significance of attention to inclusion of the impact of developmental disability upon individuals, families, schools, and other organizations and agencies in the education of health professionals will be addressed. (3 credits)

The application of management and leadership theory and research in non-profit and public agencies will be addressed. This course will focus on strategic planning, employee motivation, recruitment, retention, fiscal management, long-term planning, board development and succession planning. In addition, effective communication skills will be addressed and strengthened through interactive exercises with feedback. (3 credits)

In this course, students are expected to work with a faculty member advisor to complete a research project in which they will design a social service program targeting individuals with developmental disabilities or will evaluate an existing program that serves developmentally delayed individuals. Program design and evaluation methodology, analytic thinking, and writing skills will be infused throughout the curriculum to prepare students to complete this research project. Specific deadlines will be provided so that the student can complete the project in a timely manner. Students may register for this course more than once if necessary to complete their project. (3 credits)

Students in this course will learn the basic principles of grant writing and will develop the critical thinking and writing skills required to effectively define a problem or recognize an opportunity (Assessment), map a viable plan (Proposal Writing), weigh funding options and create funding relationships (Grant Development) and communicate information and leverage collaboration (Report Generation). (3 credits)

This course will examine the role that public policies currently in place play in providing quality services to individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as analysis of the costs of these services. Organizational factors will examine the impact of program administration in public and private agencies servicing individuals with disabilities. Also, the design and evaluation of community-based services are addressed. (3 credits)

This course provides insight into disability policy through the examination of policy making. The course will focus on different political/ideological approaches to disability policy. In addition, examines how the federal government addresses discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public (e.g. transportation, housing education, and employment).  Participants will gain basic skills and knowledge in: contextual analysis; problem/issue identification; analysis and prioritization; power mapping; goal/objective setting; analysis of advocacy arenas and strategies; message development, writing reports and working with the media; engaging in public outreach and mobilization; lobbying and negotiation; advocacy leadership and coalition building; and assessment of program success. (3 credits)

This course will provide an interdisciplinary focus on aging and disability from different theoretical perspectives. The dynamics of aging across the lifespan will be addressed and specific challenges faced by young adults, middle age individuals, and older adults with developmental disabilities will be reviewed. Students will be able to apply knowledge obtained to specialized population and be able to assume leadership roles and engage in support efforts for these individuals as demonstrated through paper and presentations. (3 credits)

Examines the experience of students with developmental disabilities in higher education and crucial components related to their full participation in college life. Knowledge of demographic trends of students with developmental disabilities in higher education, awareness of important transition issues of students from K-12 to postsecondary education, strategies for increasing retention, and understanding the different types of accommodations typically required of students with developmental disabilities will be covered. (3 credits)

This course provides an analysis of the integration of individuals with developmental disabilities into the community and within institutions. Challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment and independent living will be addressed as well as strategies for promoting successful community integration.

This course will provide students with the opportunity to obtain knowledge of the assessment, evaluation, and diagnostic skills of young children with developmental disabilities from an interdisciplinary perspective. Risk factors and early warning signs of atypical development will be reviewed. Students will be exposed to commonly used assessments to identify developmental delays in various fields and will be exposed to different diagnostic approaches such as the DSM-IV, ICD-10, and Zero to Three. (3 credits)

Prerequisites: HSDD 5000, HSDD 5100

This course helps students apply their knowledge of challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, tantrums, etc. and of different modalities of intervention typically applied with individuals with developmental disabilities such as developmental (speech, physical, occupational), behavioral [Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), and Floortime], and educational supports through case analysis and discussion. Factors that contribute to treatment success will be addressed. (3 credits)

This course will focus on historical approaches to the education of children with disabilities. It will address current models utilized in educational settings such as inclusion, mainstreaming, and self-contained classrooms. Supports that can be provided to children with developmental disabilities to promote successful educational outcomes will be assessed. The common approaches to providing supports including individualized education plans, frequency assessments of behavior, behavioral intervention plans, and the role that they each play in the educational system will be critiqued. (3 credits)

This course will focus on the basic tenets of the science of applied behavior analysis that are the underpinnings of effective teaching strategies. Students will study the philosophy and science of applied behavior analysis, an overview of the areas of the field of ABA and its relation to education and psychology, basic vocabulary and concepts in the field, strategies for measuring behavior, basic strategies for increasing and decreasing behaviors of students, and ethical considerations in the application of ABA in a variety of settings.

This course will extend the Basic Principles and Concepts course to include application of the principles of applied behavior analysis in educational and other therapeutic settings. It will focus on behavioral intervention strategies and change procedures, evaluation and assessment strategies, and methods of accountability in ABA interventions. In addition, focus will be placed on the ethical use of intervention strategies and making decisions regarding ethical treatment for individuals with a variety of challenges. The course will emphasize applications in applied behavior analysis in education as well as other areas of study.

Prerequisite: ABA 710.

This course will focus on evaluation strategies used in both research and in the ethical provision of interventions. It will cover a variety of measurement and assessment strategies for determining the effectiveness of interventions on a single-subject and small group design. Additional focus will be placed on the interpretation of the research literature to make sound decisions about assessment and intervention strategies for a variety of populations.

This introductory practicum is designed to meet the supervision requirements for the BCBA or BCABA certification. Students must be engaged in practicum activities at least 20 hours per week in a job that requires the application of ABA principles. Supervision will take place weekly in both group and individual formats and will address both increasing and decreasing behaviors. Students will be expected to collect and share data on their cases and employ strategies of behavioral assessment and intervention with input from their supervisor.

Prerequisite: ABA 710

This course is designed to continue the supervision begun in HSDD 760 and has similar requirements. Students will be expected to provide written reports and intervention plans as part of their supervision. Students must be engaged in practicum activities at least 20 hours per week in a position that requires the application of ABA principles. Supervision will take place weekly in both group format and individual formats and will address both increasing and decreasing behaviors.

This course will focus on the basic tenets of the science of applied behavior analysis that are the underpinnings of effective teaching strategies. Students will study the philosophy and science of applied behavior analysis, an overview of the areas of the field of ABA and its relation to education and psychology, basic vocabulary and concepts in the field, strategies for measuring behavior, basic strategies for increasing and decreasing behaviors of students, and ethical considerations in the application of ABA in a variety of settings.

This course will extend the Basic Principles and Concepts course to include application of the principles of applied behavior analysis in educational and other therapeutic settings. It will focus on behavioral intervention strategies and change procedures, evaluation and assessment strategies, and methods of accountability in ABA interventions. In addition, focus will be placed on the ethical use of intervention strategies and making decisions regarding ethical treatment for individuals with a variety of challenges. The course will emphasize applications in applied behavior analysis in education as well as other areas of study.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710

This course will focus on the variety of delivery models for services within the ABA model. Areas of focus will include the behavioral models of development disabilities, treatment of autism, organizational behavior management, school psychology, sports psychology, and education. Principles and research in each area will be addressed and participants will employ a variety of strategies from each area in the course assignments.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710

This course will focus on evaluation strategies used in both research and in the ethical provision of interventions. It will cover a variety of measurement and assessment strategies for determining the effectiveness of interventions on a single-subject and small group design. Additional focus will be placed on the interpretation of the research literature to make sound decisions about assessment and intervention strategies for a variety of populations.

This course will focus on issues of professionalism and ethics for the practice of applied behavior analysis in research and clinical settings. It will also address issues of working with systems to effect positive change in organizations and for individuals through consultation and collaboration with other professionals. Using applied behavior analysis to provide systems support and change to enhance work as a consultant will be the underlying basis for the course.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710

This introductory practicum is designed to meet the supervision requirements for the BCBA or BCABA certification. Students must be engaged in practicum activities at least 20 hours per week in a job that requires the application of ABA principles. Supervision will take place weekly in both group and individual formats and will address both increasing and decreasing behaviors. Students will be expected to collect and share data on their cases and employ strategies of behavioral assessment and intervention with input from their supervisor.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710

This course is designed to continue the supervision begun in HSDD 760 and has similar requirements. Students will be expected to provide written reports and intervention plans as part of their supervision. Students must be engaged in practicum activities at least 20 hours per week in a position that requires the application of ABA principles. Supervision will take place weekly in both group format and individual formats and will address both increasing and decreasing behaviors.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710

This advanced practicum is designed to meet the supervision requirements for students seeking their BCBA and will continue the work begun in the previous two practicums. Students must be engaged in a position requiring the application of ABA principles at least 20 hours per week. Supervision will take place weekly or bi-weekly in a group or individual format and will address both increasing and decreasing behaviors. Students will be expected to collect and share data on their cases and employ strategies of behavioral assessment and intervention with input from their supervisor.

Prerequisite: HSDD 710