Interprofessional Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neurodevelopmental (ND) Disabilities 1 &2
A SC LEND Educational Program involving collaboration between:
Medical University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Greenville Hospital Systems
Course Overview
Interprofessional Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neurodevelopmental (ND) Disabilities offers students
the opportunity to gain leadership skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The course
promotes an interprofessional approach to ASD and ND, with emphasis on the professions of pediatrics, psychology,
speech pathology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pediatric dentistry, psychiatry,
neurology, genetics, special education, and others learning and working together. The course content is based on
recommendations made by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities’ (AUCD) Interprofessional Training Guide
(National Training Directors Council, 2001), and the Core Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership competencies
(
http://leadership.mchtraining.net/
). This course focuses on both clinical and leadership topics related to disorders that
first manifest in childhood. Clinical topics include autism, ADHD, high risk infants, acquired brain injury and various
therapeutic interventions. Leadership topics educate students regarding systems of care such as health care financing,
disability law, special education, and family centered care. The course is offered on-line, and lectures may be viewed by
students on their own time via the on-line learning management system Moodle.
Basis for Final Grade
Assessment
Percent of Final Grade
Lecture Reflections
PBL Discussion
PBL Case Formulation
Forum Participation
30%
15%
20%
35%
100%
Forum Activity
During each 2-week module, a discussion question is placed in the forum in Moodle. Students must respond to each
question, and must respond to at least two other student’s responses by the end of the 2 week module. While forum
responding can occur at any time during the module, the discussions are best if each member makes at least one post
during the first week of the module. The forums are a very important part of the Interprofessional training portion of
this course, and frequent and active discussions are encouraged. Discussions may be lively, but comments should be
professional and respectful. Two faculty members from diverse disciplines are assigned to participate in each forum.
Problem Based Learning Activities
During each module, students complete a Problem Based Learning (PBL) activity. The PBL activities are completed in
small groups of 4-6 students each. Each group contains learners of various experience levels. The goal of the PBL activity
is to watch a case unfold from the point of presenting concern and ending with the expert opinion from an SC LEND
Faculty member. Students are expected to come up with a differential diagnosis (hypothesis) and what additional
Grading Scale (%)
96-100
Honors
69-95
Pass
information is needed to confirm diagnosis. Once the casebook is posted, students are then required to discuss as a
group their hypotheses and come up with individual case formulation (submitted individually as a journal entry).
Students are then provided an expert opinion from the SC LEND faculty member. Evaluation is based on participation in
the group discussion.
Modules
This course is divided into eight two-week modules. Each module covers a clinical topic and a leadership topic. During
each module, students watch 2 lectures, participate in 1 Forum Discussion, and participate in 1 Problem Based Learning
activity. There are no “final exams” or cumulative tests.
Important days to remember in each module:
Week 1
Sunday
(Module Begins)
Lectures are available
Forum question is available
PBL Presenting Concern is available
Friday
PBL Hypothesis and Additional Information due
At least one contribution to the Forum should be made
PBL Casebook posted
Week 2
Friday
PBL Casebook discussion due
PBL Case Formulation due
PBL Expert Opinion posted
Sunday
(Module ends at
midnight)
Lecture Reflections due
Graded Forum Participation ends
Course Topics:COURSE SYLLABUS
Clinical Topic Leadership Topic
August 19-August 31: Module 1 Topics Course introduction Living with Disabilities
Faculty Laura Carpenter, PhD , BCBA Psychology
MUSC
Laura Carpenter, PhD , BCBA Psychology
MUSC
Activities Introductory Forum Reflection (no PBL)
Reading Syllabus Watch “One Question” video
August 31-Sept 14: Module 2 Topics Introduction to typical and atypical development Interdisciplinary Teams
Faculty Michelle Macias, MD Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
MUSC
Desmond Kelly, MD Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
GHS
Karen Van Bakergem, LMSW Social Work
Activities None Forum (Macias, Lowell)
Reading CWD 15 Diagnosing Developmental Disabilities Web-based modules for Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, and Speech and Language.
http://depts.washington.edu/lend/trainees/didactic.html September 14-Sept 28: Module 3
Topics Autism Spectrum Disorders (Definition and Identification)
Research Tools and Methods
Faculty Laura Carpenter, PhD , BCBA Psychology
MUSC
Suzanne McDermott, PhD Research Director
USC
Activities PBL (Carpenter) Forum (McDermott, Smith)
Reading CWD 21: Autism Spectrum Disorders
September 28-October 12: Module 4
Topics High Risk Infants and Long Term follow-up Family Centered Care Faculty
Patty Coker-Bolt, PhD, OTR/L Occupational Therapy MUSC
Karen Irick Family Faculty USC
Activities PBL (Coker-Bolt) Forum (Irick, Spratt)
Reading CWD7 Premature and Small for Dates Infants CWD 37: Caring and Coping: Helping the Family of a Child with a Disability
October 12-October 26: Module 5
Topics Physical Disability and Rehabilitation Services Social Justice, Human Rights, and Ethics
Faculty Jennifer Pitassi, PT,PCS Physical Therapy MUSC
Anne M. Kinsman, Ph.D., J.D. Psychology
GHS
Activities PBL (Pitassi) Forum (Kinsman, Rotholz)
Reading CWD 15: Patterns in Development and Disability CWD 37: Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
CWD 39: Ethical Considerations
October 26-November 9: Module 6
Topics Oral Health Educational System & Inclusion
Faculty Cynthia Hipp D.D.S. Pediatric Dentistry MUSC
Emily Lowell, Ph.D., NCSP School Psychologist III USC
Activities PBL (Hipp) Forum (Lowell, Hock)
Reading CWD 35: Oral Health Care CWD 31 Special Education Services
November 9-November 23: Module 7
Topics Sensory Impairments Health Care Financing; Health Care Administration
Faculty Desmond Kelly, MD Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
GHS
Kathi Lacey, PhD
Associate State Director-Policy USC
Activities PBL (Kelly) Forum (Lacey, Kelly)
Reading CWD 10 Hearing and Deafness CWD 11 Vision and Visual Impairment
CWD 41: Health Care Delivery Systems and Financing Issues
November 23-November 29: Break
Enjoy a one-week break for Thanksgiving!
November 29-December 14: Module 8
Topics ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Functional Behavior Assessment
Faculty Michelle Macias, MD
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics MUSC
Eric Drasgow, PhD Applied Behavior Analysis USC
Activities PBL (Macias) Forum (Carpenter, LaRosa)
Reading CWD 22: Attention Deficits and Hyperactivity CWD 32: Behavior Principles, Assessment, and Therapy
December 15-December 18
Please complete all course reviews (no final exams) January 6- January 11: Module 1
Topics Course introduction Review for new students only:
Introduction to typical and atypical development Faculty Laura Carpenter Michelle Macias, MD Developmental & Behavioral
Pediatrics MUSC
Pediatrics GHS Activities Introductory Forum (Carpenter) None
Reading CWD 15 Diagnosing Developmental Disabilities
January 11-January 25 Module 2
Topics Personal Perspectives on Disabilities Disability Laws and Regulations
Faculty N/A Richard Ferrante, PhD
Social Work USC
Activities Reflection Forum (Ferrante, Macias )
Reading Departing Rosewood (video) http://www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/10312014
January 25-February 8: Module 3
Topics Autism Spectrum Disorders (Medical aspects including life course, and medical management)
Evidenced Based Intervention
Faculty John Williams M.D.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, GHS http://depts.washington.edu/lend/trainees/didactic.html
Anne M. Kinsman, Ph.D., J.D. Psychology
GHS
Activities PBL Forum (Kinsman, Williams)
Reading CWD 21: Autism Spectrum Disorders (see Moodle) February 8 –February 22: Module 4
Topics Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Individuals with Disabilities
Self-determination; Person Centered Planning; Self advocacy
Faculty Eve Spratt, MD Child Psychiatry MUSC
Karen Van Bakergem, LMSW Social Work
MUSC
Activities PBL Forum (Van Bakergem, Spratt)
Reading CWD 29: Behavioral and Psychiatric Disorders in Children with Disabilities
(see Moodle)
February 22- March 8: Module 5
Topics Speech, communication, and assistive technology Cultural and Linguistic Competence
Faculty Carol A. Page, PhD Speech Pathology USC
Laura Carpenter, PhD Psychology
Activities PBL Forum (Hock, Page)
Reading CWD 36: Assistive Technology
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS March 8-15
March 15- March 29: Module 6
Topics Down Syndrome and Other Genetic Disorders Genetic Testing and Counseling
Faculty Angela LaRosa, MD
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics MUSC
R. Curtis Rogers, MD Clinical Geneticist GHS
Activities PBL Forum (Rogers, LaRosa)
Reading CWD 18: Down Syndrome CWD I Genetics and Developmental Disabilities March 29-April 12: Module 7
Topics Acquired Brain Injury and Rehabilitation Positive Behavior Support
Faculty Sheldon Herring, Ph.D. Neuropsychologist GHS
David Rotholz, PhD, BCBA-D Behavior Analysis
USC
Activities PBL Forum (Rotholz, Carpenter)
Recommended Readings
CWD 26 Traumatic Brain Injury CWD 32 Behavior Principals, Assessment, and Therapy
April 12-April 26: Module 8
Topics Seizure Disorders Transition to adult systems; post-secondary education; supports across the lifespan
Faculty Gigi Smith, MSN, APRN, CPNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MUSC
Dr. Tony Plotner Special Education USC
Activities PBL Forum (Plotner, Smith)
Recommended Readings
CWD 27 Epilepsy CWD 40: Future Expectations Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood
April 26-May 3
Please complete all course reviews (no final exams) CWD = Children with Disabilities