UAlbany's Distance Learning Autism
Program One of Five Worldwide Approved for Professional Certification
Contact: Heidi
Weber (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, N.Y.
(September 3, 2003) -- The University at Albany's autism program
is now one of only five programs in the world approved by
the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Inc. (BACB) to offer
a distance learning course sequence that applies toward certification.
The BACB is a nonprofit corporation established to meet professional
credentialing needs identified by behavior analysts, state
governments and consumers of behavior analysis services.
UAlbany's Center
for Autism and Related Disabilities offers the courses through
its Autism Distance Education Network, a three-course certificate
program focused on the education of children with autism and
related disabilities. Students who complete the course sequence
will be eligible to take the Board Certified Associate Behavior
Analyst Examination.
According to
Dr. Kristin Christodulu, director of UAlbany's Center for
Autism and Related Disabilities, "We're pleased to receive
the BACB certification because UAlbany's autism courses will
help to fill a need in the Northeast for more professionals
to work with children with autism. New York has less than
100 BACB certified professionals, whereas states such as Florida
have close to 750 and are still looking for more dedicated
and qualified specialists."
Launched in
1999, UAlbany's certificate program originally included students
at 13 university classrooms and health centers across the
state who watched lectures through videoconferencing technology.
The program has grown rapidly. Now, more than 500 special
and regular education teachers, school psychologists, speech
professionals, physical and occupational therapists, paraprofessionals,
teacher assistants and aides and parents have completed parts
of this sequence. Three credits per course are offered at
both the undergraduate and graduate level.
A Snapshot of UAlbany's Autism Courses
� Autism I - Foundation Course and
Autism II - Introduction to Intervention are being
offered this Fall as online courses. The lectures will be
available as RealPlayer files and linked to UAlbany's Web
site or on CDs. In addition, the syllabus, course notes and
sample exam questions will be available for downloading. Autism
I includes an overview of autism and related disorders,
including discussion of diagnostic issues, philosophical issues,
research on the biological and psychosocial bases of the disorders,
as well as an overview of intervention techniques and legal
issues. The basic principles of behavior analysis are covered.
� Autism II provides students with
an in-depth knowledge of the empirically validated techniques
used to treat children with autism. Highlighted are programmatic
efforts to improve language/communication and social skills
and related research on reducing problem behavior.
� Autism III - Practicum in Intervention
parallels the Introduction to Intervention course and involves
students engaged in practicum experiences with children having
autism. Students are supervised as they work with children
with this disorder and are required to design and implement
a series of plans.
For more information, visit www.albany.edu/psy/autism/autism.html.
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