This Autistic SLP Has Got You Covered

Q & A

• What are the course objectives?

By the end of the course, you can expect to be able to:

Define the role of goal setting, specifically regarding the autistic population, within the public school setting.

Define neurodiversity and the neurodiversity paradigm.

Know what constitutes a neurodiversity-aligned measurable goal.

Have the tools to write measurable neurodiversity-aligned goals given varying amounts and quality of information regarding autistic students in the public schools.

Have the tools to write measurable neurodiversity-aligned goals for preschoolers through young adulthood for autistic students.

• Does this course count towards ASHA professional development hours?

While it does not count for CEUS, you can submit it for Certification Maintanence Hours (CMH)*. This course offers potentially 7 CMH hours which equals 0.7 ASHA CEU. When submitting documention that you completed professional developmental requirements, check the box that states you did CMHs and keep your certificate of course completion in case of audit. Read more here: https://www.asha.org/certification/ProfDevelopment/, https://www.asha.org/certification/fact_records/, and here https://www.asha.org/certification/SubmitComplianceForm/

*Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC and the course Goal Writing for Autistic Students: A Neurodiversity-Aligned Approach are not affiliated with any professional education, credentialing, or licensing organizations. Upon completion of the course, it is the responsibility of the student to email the course instructor at [email protected] to receive your a Verification of Attendance Form and a course certificate which will contain: title of the course or activity, name of the sponsoring organization or college/university, date(s) of attendance or completion, and the number of professional development hours earned. The certificate for completing this course neither awards CMHs or ASHA CEUs nor verifies that ASHA CEUs have been awarded to the person named on the certificate. ASHA CEUs are awarded to those that meet eligibility by the ASHA CE Registry upon receipt of the Verification of Attendance Form to document CMH hours.

• How is the course structured?

This course is self-paced. After an overview of key concepts, there are 8 case studies. They are structured from lots of scaffolding with gradual fading. The last few case studies the course audience is expected to come up with goals for the case study student nearly independently.

• Is this course only for school-based SLPs?

Although this course was designed for school-based speech-language pathologists, SLPs from a variety of settings who work with autistic children would benefit from taking it! In fact, in testing the course prior to release, Jessica, a neurotypical SLP stated: “[It’s also for] SLPs in clinics and outpatient—since it’s all helpful and relevant.”

• I am a professional from a related field (special education, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, etc.) who works with autistic children. Would this course be appropriate for me?

If you are a professional in another field, the course would still be absolutely appropriate for you. This course, as the name states, is heavily grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm. Board-certified behavior analysts and RBTs are welcome to take the course, but be aware that there will be a difference in philosophies.

• I am a parent. Would the course be appropriate for me?

The course is paced to help SLPs create neurodiversity-aligned goals. Depending on your level of knowledge on communication, sensory/emotional regulation, and executive functioning, it may be challenging to keep up. However, it will likely help in advocating for your own child's needs and coming up with goal ideas alongside the SLP.