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CONT812: Teaching Students with Communication Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorders)

Course Schedule

Session Course Dates Application Deadline Document Deadline Payment Deadline
Winter 2027 Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027 Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET
Spring 2027 Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027 Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET
Summer 2027 Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027 Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET
Deadline dates are subject to change.

Winter 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, January 17, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4pm ET

Spring 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, March 30, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, April 1, 2027 at 4pm ET

Summer 2027

  • Course Dates: Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027
  • Application Deadline: Sunday, June 20, 2027 at 7pm ET
  • Document Deadline: Tuesday, June 22, 2027 at 4pm ET
  • Payment Deadline: Thursday, June 24, 2027 at 4pm ET

Course Description

This course, Teaching Students with Communication Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder), focuses on the development and the implementation of program design for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

It explores the biases, myths and assumptions related to this diagnosis. In turn, it allows you to explore how to create programming that supports diversity and inclusivity. This course also reviews the diagnostic criteria surrounding ASD and the continuum associated with this diagnosis. It examines neurodiversity in the classroom and your roles and responsibilities to establish inclusivity in your classroom. It also looks at the characteristics associated with ASD and how you can cultivate the learning environment to support the ASD learner.

You will have the opportunity to create lessons and assessments for the ASD learner, as well as develop a student profile and IEP with a DI and UDI lens. In addition, there is an opportunity to identify the importance of collaborating with school-based teams and community personnel to support the educational and developmental needs of students with ASD.

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What You Will Learn and Do

In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to

  • analyze, interpret and implement Ontario’s curriculum, school board polices, frameworks, strategies and guidelines
  • understand what Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is and its characteristics by exploring theories of neurodiversity, inclusion and culturally responsive pedagogy
  • develop an awareness of First Nations, Metis and Inuit perspectives and ways of knowing, as well as anti-racism and anti-oppression in relation to specific biases and assumptions related to ASD
  • develop lessons that show how to create and sustain safe, healthy, equitable and inclusive learning environments that honour and respect diversity and specific student learning strengths and needs
  • identify ways to collaborate with in-school personnel, parents/guardians and the community
  • practice collecting data and using that data to influence program design to help facilitate learning environments that are conducive to the overall development of the student

Course Outline

Each module includes a variety of resources, such as articles, videos, websites, podcasts and other media, as well as discussion posts, reflective tasks, collaborative tasks, culminating tasks, and assignments.

Module NameMinimum Hours

Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities

15

Module 2: Biases, Assumptions and Myths
Progress Update 1

18.5

Module 3: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

20

Module 4: Learning Environments for ASD
Progress Update 2

19.5

Module 5: Assessment and Evaluation Design

23

Module 6: Collaboration and Interactivity
Progress Update 3

18.5

Module 7: Final Thoughts and Assignment
Final Report

10.5

Total hours

125

Application Requirements

We will use the OCT number you provide during online registration to confirm that you are an OCT member.

Course Materials

There are no additional resources required for this course.

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

  • If you drop a course by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee
  • If you drop a course after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee
Session 100% Refund Deadline 50% Refund Deadline

  Updated Refund Policy

Our updated refund policies took effect starting with the Late Summer 2026 Session. Please see the refund schedule below for details.
  • If you drop a course before the course begins: 100% refund
  • If you drop a course on or before the 14th day of the course: 75% refund
  • If you drop a course after the 14th day of the course: No refund
Session Course Dates 75% Refund Cut Off Date
Fall 2026Monday, September 28, 2026 – Friday, December 4, 2026October 11, 2026
Fall/Winter 2026Monday, November 9, 2026 – Friday, February 5, 2027November 22, 2026
Winter 2027Monday, January 25, 2027 – Friday, April 2, 2027February 07, 2027
Late Winter 2027Monday, February 15, 2027 – Friday, April 16, 2027February 28, 2027
Spring 2027Monday, April 5, 2027 – Friday, June 4, 2027April 18, 2027
Late Spring 2027Monday, May 3, 2027 – Friday, June 25, 2027May 16, 2027
Summer 2027Monday, June 28, 2027 – Friday, August 13, 2027July 11, 2027

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.