Yale Autism Seminar Yale Child Study Center

Prof. Fred Volkmar introduces the Yale College Autism Seminar and provides a general overview of autism and related disorders and what the course will cover.

From the Yale Autism Seminar: Dr. Katherine Tsatsanis presents the central theme of this lecture: diagnosis and assessment of autism spectrum disorders.

Communication is a core deficit in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this one-hour lecture, terms related to communication are defined and typical communication development is reviewed. At each stage of typical acquisition differences seen in the communication of children with ASD are described and illustrated with video examples. A description of the aspects of communication that are unique to individuals with autism is also presented.

Prof. Fred Volkmar covers an overview of model programs for the treatment of autism. The Professor reviews the history of intervention programs, possible outcomes that come with intervention, and covers challenges, new issues, strategies and resources that are presented when undertaking an intervention program.

This lecture introduces the foundations of behavioral assessment and treatment of significant challenging behavior in persons with autism.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders exhibit a range of behavioral excesses and deficits that can interfere significantly with adaptive functioning at home, in the community, and at school. At times these challenging behaviors can cause harm to others or to the person with autism, and often contribute both to isolation and misunderstanding of the needs of the individual.

This lecture introduces the foundations of behavioral assessment and treatment of significant challenging behavior in persons with autism.