This course is designed to provide participants with a framework to understanding how autism affects an individual's social communication. One of the two areas impacted by autism is social communication. Individuals on the spectrum struggle with different aspects of social communication including, but not limited to, understanding and effectively using skills related to pragmatics, expressive and receptive language, making friends, participating in social groups, group activities in the educational setting and other daily social interactions. Topics of discussion will include the difference between speech and communication, the skills needed to be an effective communicator, the misperception that individuals with autism do not want to socialize , the impact failed social attempts may have on a student , the role Theory of Mind and Central Coherence play on social communication, and what interventions/instructional strategies can be used to support an individual with autism to increase his/her overall social competence.

Participants will be able to identify areas of communication affected by autism, understand the impact of impaired joint attention and how deficits in the area of pragmatics impacts communication and social . Participants will understand the role motivation plays in communication. They will also understand how unsuccessful social interaction may impact the outlook of an individual with autism.