Upon completion of the course, students are expected to:

• Understand the nuances of language development in Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders across individual levels of language analysis, including phonology, semantics, morphosyntax, and pragmatics.
• Gain expertise in alternative communication methods used in autism and be able to create personalized social stories.
• Investigate and critically evaluate relevant scientific literature.
• Present scientific papers effectively and professionally.

• Adaptation to new situations
• Application of knowledge in practice
• Decision making
• Efficient search, analysis, and synthesis of data and information using the essential technologies
• Exercise criticism and self-criticism
• Independent Assignment
• Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on the functionality of autism as classified by taxonomic systems of mental illnesses. It addresses the language and cognitive deficits observed in individuals with autism and explores the interrelationship between these deficits. Furthermore, the course covers alternative communication systems in autism and provides practical training in the creation of social stories.

The course covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Characteristics of individuals with autism (e.g. Initial signs and symptoms of autism, Diagnostic criteria (DSM-4 & DSM-5) and assessment methods)
• Emotions in Autism
• Pragmatic Development in typical and atypical populations
• Communication, Speech, and Language Development in Individuals with Autism
• Cognitive Abilities in Autism (e.g. Memory, Attention, Theory of mind)
• Construction of Social Stories
• Alternative Communication Systems in Autism
• Management of Behavioral Problems in Children with ASD
• Autism and Teaching Interventions
• Autism and overlap with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Written Examination: Conducted at the end of the semester.
Weighting: 80%.
Written Assignment: Completion of a written assignment.
Weighting: 20%.
Assessment Language: Greek

Books

• Βογινδρούκας, Ι. & Sherratt D. (2020). Υποστηρίζοντας την εξέλιξη παιδιών με αυτισμό. Οδηγός εκπαίδευσης παιδιών με διάχυτες αναπτυξιακές διαταραχές. ΑΦΟΙ Κυριακίδη Εκδόσεις Α.Ε. Code in Eudoxus [94702545]
• Σινανίδου, Μ. (2013). Διάχυτες Αναπτυξιακές Διαταραχές. Αυτισμός. Εκδόσεις Ίων. Code in Eudoxus [59365840]
• Συριοπούλου, Χ., Κασίμος, Δ. (2013). Επικοινωνία και Εκπαίδευση Ατόμων με ΔΑΔ/αυτισμό. Θεσσαλονίκη: Παν/μίου Μακεδονίας. Code in Eudoxus [33154803]
• Attwood, T. (2005). Παιδιά με ιδιαιτερότητες στη γλωσσική ανάπτυξη και την κοινωνική αλληλεπίδραση (μτφ).Κορογιαννάκη Μιχαλέτου. Αθήνα: Σαββάλας. Code in Eudoxus [8637]
• Faherty, C. (2000). Τι σημαίνει για μένα. Αθήνα: Ελληνική Εταιρία Προστασίας Αυτιστικών. Code in Eudoxus [2230]
• Gray, C. & White, L. A. (2003). Κοινωνική Προσαρμογή. Πρακτικός Οδηγός για αυτιστικά Παιδιά και Παιδιά με σύνδρομο Asperger. Αθήνα: Σαββάλας. Code in Eudoxus [8873]

https://eclass.uop.gr/courses/SLT180/