Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Assignment 3 – Explaining Autism (25%)
This assignment relates to the following Course Learning Requirements:
• CLR 1 – Explain the neurological, behavioural, and developmental characteristics of individuals
with ASD.
• CLR 2 – Assess the characteristics and skills of individuals with ASD using formal and informal
procedures.
Objective of this Assignment: To demonstrate your general knowledge and understanding of Autism.
Instructions:
There are two parts to this assignment; each will be graded separately; the two pieces together will
produce the 25%.
Part 1 – Create a vignette 10%
This vignette should provide a summary of a fictional or real (remember to change names and respect
confidentiality) person who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The vignette needs to include information
about the individual’s skills, skill deficits, and characteristics that make it clear the person has ASD. The
vignette should be written following APA formatting and no less than 1 page but should not exceed 3 or
4 pages.
Part 2 – Create a video/voice file 15%
As someone who works with people with Autism, you will need to be able to explain the core diagnostic
criteria, and the disorder in general. In this part, you can chose to submit either a video file or a voice
file. The file should contain the following:
• Explain the two core diagnostic criteria including examples
• Describe the excess and deficit behaviours seen in people with ASD.
• Draw comparisons of the characteristics seen in individuals with ASD when compared to their
typically developing peers. For example: An individual with ASD might not appear to show emotions
of excitement when they see their parents face first thing in the morning as most typically
developing children do.
• Explain who you chose the individual for the vignette and outline how their characteristics match
that of the core criteria.
• You should speak clearly and present your information in one continuous video/voice file and not
separate ones for each point discussed. The video/voice file should be long enough to convey your
message but should not exceed 20 minutes.
Tip: Imagine you are a professional who is asked to write a short description (vignette portion) of what
you see on a given day or your general experience with a child. You are then asked to sit down with the
parents/new staff/etc to discuss (audio/video portion) to explain this child’s characteristics in
comparison to typical children as well as how they fit into an ASD diagnosis. Pretend this is a short 20
minute meeting with this parent/new staff/etc. where you can give a synopsis of this child and the
criteria of this assignment in a professional, informative, straightforward way.
Assignment 3 – Vignette Marking Rubric (10%)

Criteria/Level	ExceedsRequirements 80%- 100%	MeetsRequirements 50%- 79%	DoesnotmeetRequirements < 49%	Grade
Understandingofcore areas	Clearlydescribes,withtheuseof examples,andcategorizes behavioursintothetwocore areas.	Clearly describes and categorizes behavioursintotwocoreareas.	Describesandcategorizesthe behavioursbutdoesneedsworkto demonstrateaclearunderstanding ofthetwocoreareas.	/3
Detail	Vignettecontainsseveral differentandverydetailed characteristics,skills,andskill deficitswhichprovideaclear diagnosisofASD.	Vignettehas enoughdetailto getanideaoftheindividual’s characteristics,skills,andskill deficitsandmakesthediagnosis ofASDprettycertain.	Vignetteprovidesminimal amountsofinformationaboutthe characteristics,skills,andskill deficitsoftheindividual making thediagnosisofASDunclear.	/3
Confidentiality	Clearthatconfidentialityhasbeen maintainedasnames,agency names,identifyinginformation etc.all appearfictional.	Clearthatconfidentialityhas beenmaintainedmost identifyinginformation,name, agencynamesetc.allappear fictional.	Unclearifconfidentialityhasbeen maintainedanditappearsthat some orall informationcouldbe unchanged.	/2
Titlepage	Titlepageiscompleteandfollows properAPAformatting	Titlepageiscomplete,evidence ofmisalignment	Titlepageismissingorhasmissing elements	/.5
Font	12pt.TimesNewRomanfontis usedthroughouttheentire document	12pt.TimesNewRomanfontis usedthroughoutmostofthe document	12pt.TimesNewRomanfontis notused	/.5
Spacing	Double-spacingisused throughouttheentiredocument	Double-spacingisused throughoutmostofthe document	Double-spacingisnotused	/.5
SpellingandGrammar	Freeofgrammarerrors	Evidenceofgrammarerrors	Grammarerrorsareevident	/.5
Total	/10

Assignment 3: Video or Voice File Marking Rubric (15%)

Criteria/Level	ExceedsRequirements 80%- 100%	MeetsRequirements 50%- 79%	DoesnotmeetRequirements < 49%	Grade
Clarityofspeechand video/audiofile	Speechisclearandeasyto understand.Video/audiofilewas recordedinaplacethatwas privatetoavoidanybreachin confidentialityanddistraction.	Speechisclearandeasyto understand.Submittedfileisfree ofvisual/audiodistractionssuch astheaudiocuttinginandout.	Speechis quickorunclearmakingit difficulttounderstand.File submittedisdifficultto watch/listentoasthereare distractionssuchasaudiocuttingin andout.	/2
Diagnosticcriteria	Diagnosticcriteriaisclearly understoodanddemonstrated throughthe useofmultiple exemplars.	Demonstratesa strong understanding of t h e d iagnostic criteria forASDwithinfrequent useofexamples.	Diagnosticcriteriadoesnotappear clearlyunderstoodandthereare fewtonoexamplesgiven.	/5
Useofexamplesto compare	Comparisonexamplesare consistentwithboththose individualswithASDandtypically developingindividuals.	Comparisonexamplesare consistentwitheitherindividuals withASDortypicallydeveloping individualsbutnotboth.	Comparisonexamplesdonot demonstrateaclearunderstanding ofthedevelopmentofeither individualswithASDortypically developingindividuals.	/4
Explanationofvignette	Clearlyexplainedhowthe individual inthevignette matchesthoseofthediagnostic criteria.	Madereferencetothevignette withsomeexplanationofhow theindividualmatchesthe diagnosticcriteria.	Didnotmakereferencetothe vignette	/4
Total	/15