Main Content
Syllabus
Course Syllabus
SPLED 463: Communication and Social Competence (3) Overview of deficits and strategies in speech, language, and communication across the Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accommodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Overview
This course will provide an overview of the deficits in speech, language, and communication across the autism spectrum disorders. More specifically, this course will review the literature on speech and language acquisition with regard to the qualitative differences in children with autism and related disorders. In addition to discussing the early skills critical to language and communication (including joint attention and perception as well as the development of communicative intention), the course will address later language and communication skills. Implications for treatment will be provided across all areas of speech, language, and communication.
Course Content
The course will include six lessons:
- Lesson 1: Overview of Speech, Language, and Communication
- Lesson 2: Early Language Development
- Lesson 3: Speech Production
- Lesson 4: AAC
- Lesson 5: Language
- Lesson 6: Abstract Language
- Lesson 7: Social Skills and Social Language
Course Objectives
After completing this course, you should be able to do the following:
- Describe the qualitative and unique deficits in speech, language, and communication present in children across the autism spectrum.
- Describe issues in early language development and their implications for children on the autism spectrum.
- Identify challenges to the acquisition of speech.
- Become familiar with intervention strategies to address speech deficits.
- Understand how the learning characteristics of individuals with autism affect the use of AAC.
- Become familiar with the different AAC options for learners with autism.
- List the possible advantages and disadvantages of the different AAC options.
- Identify challenges to the acquisition of language skills.
- Become familiar with intervention strategies to address language deficits.
- Identify challenges to acquisition of communication skills.
- Become familiar with the social and pragmatic challenges of individuals with ASD.
- Become familiar with intervention strategies to address social and communication deficits.
- Utilize behavioral techniques to develop new programs for targeting speech/language deficits in children across the autism spectrum.
- Understand how to implement basic speech/language programs using behavioral teaching techniques.
Contact Information
You can reach your Course Instructor via Canvas Inbox or by posting a message on the SPLED463 General Discussion Forum.
If you have any questions concerning the academic content of any of the courses in this autism program, you may contact Dr. Pamela Wolfe by e-mail at psw7@psu.edu or by phone at 814-863-8002. Dr. Wolfe is the academic director for this program.
If you have questions concerning your registration status, billing, tuition and fees, grades, exams, or credits, contact Outreach Student Services at 800-252-3592 or 814-865-5403 or by e-mail at pennstateonline@psu.edu.
If you have any technical difficulties using the tools within this course, please contact the IT Service Desk.
E-mail: ITservicedesk@psu.edu
Phone: (814) 865-HELP (4357)
Required Course Materials
- This course does not require you to purchase textbooks; lesson readings are provided through the University Libraries e-Reserves or linked from the lesson introduction page.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements
Lesson Content
In addition to the orientation lesson scheduled for Week 1, there are seven lessons in this course. The first week's orientation lesson is designed to get you familiar with the course website and the Canvas online learning management system prior to their use in the course. Each of the subsequent seven lessons is scheduled for approximately one week.
During each lesson, you will complete the following:
- View lesson content, delivered through a series of streaming video lectures. Each lesson is approximately one to two hours of running time and consists of multiple video segments as well as YouTube examples. Note: If any of the videos are not viewable, please report to the IT Service Desk.
- Complete and submit online quizzes.
- Participate in the online asynchronous discussion forum. You are required to participate in graded discussion activities for each lesson. You should also read all instructor course announcements (on the course home page) and messages posted in the SPLED463 General Discussion Forum.
- Complete and submit a graded assignment.
Self-Checks / Practice Quizzes
For each lesson, there are multiple self-check activities and/or practice quizzes, which will become available on the lesson's start date (see course schedule below). Some activities may be embedded into the video lecture, while others will show up after a few video segments. There are also practice activities for the orientation lesson designed to teach you how to use the course website. Practice activities and slef-checks are integral components of the course; however, no points are earned for these activities. These activities have been designed to help you master the concepts presented in each of the lessons. Take advantage of the practice activities and self-checks in preparation for the graded assignments and exams.
Discussion Activities
To engage as a learning community, I am requiring you to participate in discussions. You are required to post at least one response to a question or comment I have posed for each of the lessons. In addition, you are required to post a response to at least one comment made by one of your classmates.
You will receive four points for posting during each of the seven lessons. Thus, this activity is worth 28 points total. There are no right or wrong answers to this assignment. It is meant for you to reflect on what you have read, find additional information, and/or share opinions.
Specific requirements/information for this activity are as follows:
- You will post a minimum of two entries per question. You should make one post answering the question and one additional post responding to a peer. Feel free to discuss more—this activity is designed to facilitate your thinking.
- Each post should be made as a separate entry. We will use Canvas to track responses; in order to get credit, make sure you have two separate posts.
- Posts should be a minimum of three sentences (more than “I agree with you”) and should reflect your thoughts.
- Discussion questions will be opened at the beginning of each lesson and will close at the due date on the syllabus. Thus, you must post your entries during the appointed lesson dates. Everyone is expected to post responses during the lesson dates (even if you are on vacation, etc., as it is reasonable to expect you will have Internet access at some point during the weeklong lesson).
- You will be receiving credit for this required activity. You will receive four points per lesson for posting your entries (posting an original response and responding to a peer).
- This is a discussion for you and your peers. I will intermittently add comments/ideas but will only occasionally monitor your discussion. It’s up to you as a group to make the discussion a meaningful learning experience.
- It is assumed that you will not post inflammatory or offensive comments. Practice collaboration and positive discussion. I will delete inappropriate comments and contact you directly if I observe this practice.
It’s my hope that these discussion activities will facilitate your interaction with your classmates. Remember, it’s up to you to make your discussions useful/meaningful. This is one way we can learn from each other!
Assignments
For each lesson, you will have an assignment worth 20 points. The due dates are provided in the course schedule below.
Assignments will be submitted via Canvas. The assignments are designed to have you apply concepts presented in the sessions. Each assignment may not exceed one double-spaced, typed page, on one side (must be typed). Assignments exceeding the page limit will not be graded and will be assigned a grade of zero.
When citing any publications in your assignments, please include a complete reference. All references and citations must be done in APA format.
Final Exam
There is only one unproctored exam in this course. The final exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. It must be taken in the 72-hour window listed in the course schedule. You may take the exam at any time during those three days. The exam is time limited: Once you start the exam, you will have 2.5 hours to finish it.
Requests for extensions or changes to the course schedule will not be accepted. You will have access to each lesson throughout the legth of the course. Assignments and discussion-question posts are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the end date of each lesson and will be inaccessible after that time. We encourage you to work ahead if you foresee conflicts in your schedule.
Only if you have a truly extenuating circumstance or an emergency should you contact your instructor about a change to the posted schedule.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
Course Schedule
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Assignments: |
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Grading
There will be six assignments worth 20 points each, six discussion activities worth 4 points each, and one final exam worth 50 points. There are 218 total points in the course.
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Activity
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Points
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Assignment 1
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20
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| Discussion Activity 1 | 4 |
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Assignment 2
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20
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| Discussion Activity 2 | 4 |
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Assignment 3
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20
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| Discussion Activity 3 | 4 |
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Assignment 4
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20
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| Discussion Activity 4 | 4 |
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Assignment 5
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20
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| Discussion Activity 5 | 4 |
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Assignment 6
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20
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| Discussion Activity 6 | 4 |
| Assignment 7 | 20 |
| Discussion Activity 7 | 4 |
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Final Exam
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50
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TOTAL POINTS
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218
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Grades will be assigned on the following scale:
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Letter Grade
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Percentage Range
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A
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94–100%
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A-
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90–94%
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B+
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86–90%
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B
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83–86%
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B-
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80–83%
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C+
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76–80%
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C
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70–76%
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D
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60–70%
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F
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<60%
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Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.