Full-time Online ABS Program Guide & Orientation

Welcome to the full-time online Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Certificate at Algonquin College! This ABS Program Guide was designed as a resource for students to use throughout their time in this program. This guide contains an extensive amount of information so we strongly encourage you to set aside time to read it carefully and thoroughly before you begin the program, then refer to it again as often as needed throughout the program. This guide will be updated regularly, and a link to the most up-to-date version will always be posted in the ABS folder on the Online Student Hub on AC Brightspace, as well as in each of the theory courses on Brightspace.

Student Guide Table of Contents

Overview of the ABS Program

The Autism and Behavioural Science Ontario Graduate Certificate program provides students with training in the field of behaviour analysis for application within the autism service sector.

Throughout this program, you will learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as the foundational principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and how they can be implemented, specifically through Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). You will learn about ethical thinking, professional codes of ethics, different perspectives and rationales for ethical decision making within a behavioural framework. Current approaches with regard to teamwork as well as training parents and staff will also be taught.

The Field of Applied Behaviour Analysis

The field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a very exciting one to be a part of! At its core, it is based on the principles of behaviour – which are fascinating and relevant to each and every one of us. Why does an individual engage in a particular behaviour? What purpose does this behaviour serve for this individual? How can we get this behaviour to occur more often? Or less often? What changes can we make to the individuals’ environment in order to effect a change in this behaviour? What strategies can we use to effectively teach individuals who have difficulty learning from traditional teaching methods? These are all exciting questions that can be answered by learning more about ABA.

The field of ABA has grown tremendously over the past decade and is continuing to grow and evolve as ABA professionals research, practice, learn and understand more about it. Although ABA strategies can be used to effect change in almost any population (i.e. individuals with and without delays and/or disabilities), it has become well-known for its benefits for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

You have likely already heard about ABA from media or internet sources since there are many news articles, blogs, resource websites and Youtube videos available online. While some of the information from these sources may be accurate, it is important to keep in mind that there is little regulation over what can be posted to the internet. The information that you will be presented with in the Autism and Behavioural Science program was compiled by a team of ABA experts and is grounded in evidence-based information.

What does “evidence-based” mean? This is an important foundational concept in the field of ABA. Throughout this program you will learn that everything in ABA is based on scientific evidence, data collection and research. That’s what makes ABA unique! You will also learn that, time and time again, research has shown that the proper implementation of ABA strategies can have great benefits for individuals with ASD. As a result, working in ABA can be very rewarding.

The field of ABA is vast – there’s a lot to learn! The theory courses in this program will provide you with foundational knowledge in the important areas of ABA. The amount of information there is to learn may seem overwhelming at times, but we are here to help and support you. We hope that you are looking forward to getting started!

Goal of the ABS Program

The goal of the ABS program is to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to find employment in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis and autism services. As a graduate of this program, you will be able to pursue a career working as part of a multidisciplinary ASD treatment team. You may find employment in a school setting, a community agency, a private family setting or with a public-sector or private-sector agency that offers Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). After you have completed this program, you will have the background knowledge and skills to begin implementing effective behavioural intervention plans under the appropriate supervision.

Expectations of ABS Graduates

By the end of the program, you will be able to:

  • Assess and analyze the characteristics, skills and behaviour of individuals with ASD to effectively implement evidence-based behavioural interventions. (VLO 1)
  • Design and implement effective behavioural intervention plans under appropriate supervision based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). (VLO 2)
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural intervention plans based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). (VLO 3)
  • Work collaboratively with families, teams, service providers, and the broader community to respond to the learning and behavioural needs of individuals with ASD. (VLO 4)
  • As a member of a team; design, implement and evaluate ABA based transition plans for individuals with ASD. (VLO 5)
  • Comply with established ethical principles and professional guidelines. (VLO 6)
  • Provide leadership in the promotion and provision of services to meet the needs of individuals with ASD and their families. (VLO 7)
  • Evaluate empirical evidence in order to select appropriate interventions for individuals with ASD. (VLO 8).

This may seem like a lot to learn, and you may be asking yourself “how will I get there?” Well, you will get there! The 9 theory courses will teach you the foundational information and the 2 field placements will allow you to observe, implement and apply this knowledge. All the while, our dedicated team at Algonquin will be there to support you in your learning.

Program Path

As a full-time student, you will complete this program in 3 terms (one calendar year).

  • During your first term, you will complete 5 theory courses: Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis, Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Working with Families and Teams, Ethics and Professionalism and Specialized Instructional Strategies. These courses will run for the entire duration of the term (14 weeks).
  • During your second term, you will complete your first field placement and 3 theory courses: Behavioural Skill Building, Treating Challenging Behaviours and Parent and Staff Training. Your first placement will run for the first four weeks of the term. Once your placement has been completed, your theory courses will begin and will run for the remainder of the term (10 weeks).
  • During your third and final term, you will complete your second field placement and 1 theory course. Your second placement will run for the first six weeks of the term. Once your placement has been completed, your final theory course will begin. This course, Transition Planning and Implementation, will run for the remainder of the term (8 weeks).

The ABS Team

Our team of passionate, dedicated professionals is here to support you during your time in the ABS program. Our team consists of:

  • Student Advisor – The Student Advisor will be your primary contact throughout the program. The Student Advisor will communicate with you by email, virtual/video chat, phone, or in person (where appropriate). Their role is to support your learning and and bring students together.
  • Online Learning Field Placement Officer – The Field Placement Officers will be your primary contact with regards to inquiries regarding field placements. They will also be responsible for organizing your field placements. The Field Placement Officers will communicate with you by email, phone, or in person (where appropriate). The Field Placement Officers can be reached at OLFieldPlacement@algonquincollege.com.
  • Course Facilitators – Each course in the ABS program is facilitated by an expert in the field of ABA. As you work through the course materials, your Online Facilitator will engage with you virtually and assist you by providing subject-matter expertise, answering course content questions, marking, and providing feedback on assignments. The Online Facilitator is a key person to contact if you require any assistance with your course. You can contact your Online Facilitator by email, virtual/video chat. The contact information for online facilitators can be found within each online course.
  • Placement Supervisors – Our team also includes a group of ABA experts who will support your learning throughout your placement. You will be assigned a Placement Supervisor during your placement. This individual will be responsible guide you through the placement experience, provide subject-matter expertise, answer questions related to your placement experience and grade your assignments.
  • Student Success Specialist – The role of the Student Success Specialist is to help you have a positive and fulfilling online learning experience. The Student Success Specialist can direct you to the appropriate college resources and services. For assistance, please contact the Online Learning Student Success Specialist.

Expectations of the Student Advisor

Throughout your time in the ABS program, your Student Advisor will;

  • Welcome you to the ABS Program at the beginning of the term
  • Respond to your inquires within 1-2 business days
  • Be available to communicate with you via email or phone. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please email your Student Advisor with a request.
  • Reach out to you if you are not active in your course(s)
  • Reach out to you if you are at-risk of failing one or more course(s)
  • Support your progression through the program
  • Assist you with course registrations and withdrawals
  • Assist you with program withdrawals
  • Help out in as many ways as possible – all you have to do is ask!

Expectations of the Online Learning Field Placement Officer

  • Provide you with the information that you need in order to prepare for your placements
  • Organize your placement opportunities

 

Expectations of the Course Facilitators

  • Welcome you to your course at the beginning of the term
  • Respond to your inquires within 24 hours
  • Provide you with a calendar of required readings and assignment due dates
  • Be available to communicate with you via email
  • Answer questions about the course content
  • Reach out to you if you are not active in your course(s)
  • Reach out to you if you are at-risk of failing one or more course(s)
  • Grade your assignments and provide thorough and constructive feedback
  • Help out in as many ways as possible – all you have to do is ask!

Courses

Each of the courses in the ABS program has its own Brightspace site. This site contains all of the information that you will need to complete the course.

  • Course Calendar – Once you have access to your course, it is important to start by downloading and reviewing the course calendar. This outlines the modules, readings and assignments that are to be completed each week. You will not be required to log-in at specific times in order to complete your course work. You will be able to work at your own pace as long as you meet the deadlines that are outlined in the course calendar. You are able to work ahead, but be sure that you do not fall behind.
  • Modules – The modules (or lessons) can be found in the “Course Content” section. These weekly modules are Power-point style presentations that are extremely interactive, colourful, easy to follow and easy to read. This delivery method will allow you to move through each module at your own pace by reading small bits of information at a time before clicking to the next slide. The modules are enhanced with plenty of examples and visuals. There are opportunities for you to check their understanding of the content throughout each module with non-graded multiple choice, fill in the blank, drag and drop etc. style questions.
  • Assigned Readings – You will be required to complete weekly readings from the course textbook(s), online sources and/or journal articles. Textbooks can be purchased through the Connections Campus Bookstore. (See Orientation Video for instructions on how to find your textbooks online). Links will be provided for online sources. Journal articles can be accessed through your student library account (more information below).
  • Assessments – Your understanding and application of the course content will be measured through a set of assessments. These assessments include written assignments, discussion posts, group assignments, quizzes, exams, video/voice submissions etc. A detailed outline is provided for each assignment. It is important that you carefully review the assignment outline and seek clarification from your course facilitator if needed before submitting your work.
  • Rubrics – Assignment rubrics, which outline the specific expectations and a breakdown of the marking scheme, are provided for each assignment. In order to receive the highest marks possible is it critical that you follow what is outlined in the rubric.
  • Group Work – Most courses in the ABS program require you to complete one group assignment. Working in groups isn’t always easy, especially when working online, however there are a number of things that can be done to ensure that things run smoothly. Review the Student Guide to Group Work Online document.
  • Exams – Cumulative exams are used to measure your learning in some of the courses. All of the exams in the full-time program can be completed online.
  • Late Policy – You are expected to complete your assignment by the deadline outlined in the course calendar. Information about the late policy is available on each of your course outlines and in each of your courses. The late policy outlines that all late assignments are subjected to an immediate 10% penalty. You may submit your work within five days of the due date with a 10% penalty per day. After five days your assignment will not be accepted and a mark of zero will be recorded.
  • Extension Requests – In cases of a medical or compassionate issue which prevents you from submitting an assignment, your course facilitator is to be informed PRIOR to the scheduled date by email and accompanying documentation may be required in order for the assignment to be rescheduled.

Expectations of the Field Placement Supervisors

  • Welcome you to your field placement
  • Respond to your inquires within 24 hours
  • Be available to communicate with you via email or phone
  • Answer questions about what you are learning during your placement
  • Grade your assignments and provide thorough and constructive feedback
  • Help out in as many ways as possible – all you have to do is ask!

Field Placements

Throughout the ABS program you will complete two field placements. The purpose of the field placements is to provide you with practical learning opportunities to demonstrate some of the Vocational Learning Outcomes (VLOs). Throughout your placements you will develop technical skills through the application of the knowledge that you have gained in the prerequisite courses. During field placement, students will have the opportunity to observe the implementation of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Please note that placement students should not expect to receive hands on experience during their placement due to ethical reasons. For a more detailed explanation, please contact the Online Learning Field Placement Officer.

Scheduling your placement – Full-time and part-time students are expected to complete their placements on a full-time schedule (i.e. Monday-Friday, daytime business hours). The placements are to be completed in consolidated periods of time. The first placement (FAM0025) requires you to complete 140 placement hours (4 weeks) and the second placement (FAM0026) requires you to complete 210 hours 6 weeks. In addition to the on-site hours, you will be required to complete weekly assignments. It is important to understand that placements in this program are highly demanding and require a significant amount of commitment from the students.

For those of you who have other obligations while studying, we recognize that this is a significant amount of time to set aside. Given the nature of the placements, it is extremely important that placements are completed in full-time blocks of time. It is extremely important that you are able to schedule time to complete these placements. If you are not able to schedule time for these placements, this program may not be appropriate for you – please contact the Online Learning Field Placement Officer and your Student Advisor with your concerns as soon as possible.

Preparing for your placement – There are a number of requirements that must be met before being eligible for a placement opportunity. These requirements have been outlined in a Field Placement Preparation Guide. This information will be provided to you at the beginning of your first term. Once you receive this information, it is your responsibility to read it and follow the steps. Again, while we are happy to support you through the process, it is ultimately your responsibility. Failure to complete the pre-placement requirements will forfeit your placement opportunity. Once you have read the steps in this guide, please submit your acknowledgement of your responsibilities by filling in the form at the bottom of the page.

Planning your placement – All students are expected to complete at least one of their placements in an IBI clinical setting, while the other placement can be completed in an ABA or school setting. The Online Learning Field Placement Officer will gather information about you and your interests then plan your placement accordingly. Since the coordinator is responsible for planning your placement we ask that you do not reach out to potential placement agencies. Instead, pass any information/requests on to the coordinator. As you can imagine, there are many factors to be considered so we request that you are flexible and understanding of the process. The Online Learning Field Placement Officer will communicate with you throughout the planning process but it is important to note that this process can be lengthy so it is important that you are patient with the process as well.

Placement Manual – Before you begin your placement you will receive a Placement Manual. This manual will outline what is expected of you as a placement student, and the assignments that you will complete.

Supervision – Throughout your placement, you will receive supervision from an Algonquin College Field Placement Supervisor. The ABS supervisors are highly trained, and experts in the field of ABA. You will receive ample guidance and feedback from your supervisors throughout your placement.

Key Concepts + Skills

“Key Concepts + Skills” are concepts and skills that you will learn throughout your theory courses that are essential for success during the field placements, and your future career in ABA. Announcements that identify these concepts and skills will be posted throughout your theory courses. Please be sure that you have a thorough understanding of these concepts and skills each week before moving on in your course(s). If you require further support in understanding these concepts or acquiring these skills it is essential that you reach out to your course facilitator as soon as possible.

Please pay particular attention to these concepts and skills, as they will help you be most successful in this program.

Academic Integrity

You are expected to follow acceptable standards of academic honesty throughout your time in as a student at Algonquin College. Policy AA20 (Plagiarism) outlines acceptable standards for students to follow. Academic work submitted by students is evaluated on the assumption that the work presented by the student is his/her own, unless designated otherwise. Plagiarism constitutes an act of academic dishonesty. Policy AA20 outlines the penalties to be imposed for an act of plagiarism.

Plagiarism is the act of representing someone else’s work or ideas as your own. This can be done in two main ways:

  1. A direct quotation; when someone else’s exact words are used but not cited.
  2. A paraphrase; when you use your own words to explain someone else’s ideas but you don’t reference where you found the ideas.

Does this mean that you cannot use someone else’s work to support your ideas? No, of course you can use someone else’s work to support your ideas; that is what research is all about! However, you need to make sure that you properly cite the source of the material. You must always acknowledge the use of someone else’s ideas in your work.

The Program Orientation Module (available on the Online Student Hub and in each of your courses) will provide you with more information about sources, and examples of plagiarism. Please review it carefully before you begin your courses.

It is essential that you follow APA citing and formatting guidelines throughout the program in order to ensure that you do not plagiarize.

APA Formatting

As part of the ABS program you will be conducting research and reading assigned articles, texts and sources. You will notice that the references given to these resources are always in the same citation format – the APA format.

The ABS program requires all students to use APA formatting when submitting assignments for grading. It is important to understand the basics of the APA formatting style so that you understand how to properly format your documents and cite sources.

The Program Orientation Module (available on the Online Student Hub and in each of your courses) will provide you with more information about APA formatting. Please review it carefully before you begin your courses.

The best resource for all citation styles is the English at Purdue website. We highly recommend that you review this guide, bookmark it on your computer, and refer to it often throughout the program. Proper APA formatting requires attention to many details so it can be difficult to remember all of them until you have plenty of practice. In the meantime, use this guide for each assignment in order to ensure that you do not lose marks for incorrect formatting.

Using Peer-Reviewed Journals

The field of Applied Behaviour Analysis relies on research and evidence-based strategies. Throughout your time in this program you will need to access articles from peer-reviewed journal articles. There are a number of peer-reviewed journals that publish work in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Links to the websites for these journals can be found in the ABS Resource Library within the Online Student Hub. However, many of these journals do not offer free access to their articles. Instead, you will need to access peer-reviewed work through the Algonquin College Library.

As an Algonquin College student, you have access to the library’s broad collection of electronic resources. In order to access these electronic resources, you must log in to your library account. Your library account log in is your student number (i.e. 040xxxxxx) and your PIN is the last 4 digists of your student number. If you have any questions about your accessing your library account, please visit the library website.

At-risk Students

The minimum passing grade for all courses in the ABS program is 60%. Your Student Advisor will contact you if you are at risk of failing one or more of your courses. The Student Success Specialist will be able to provide you with further support.

Keep in mind that the courses in this program have prerequisites. Failure to successfully complete one or more of the courses will prevent you from moving forward in the program. You will be required to re-do the course, and successfully complete it, before moving on.

Withdrawals/Refunds

If, at any point, you are unsure about continuing in this program, please review the Program Withdrawal information and contact your Student Advisor or Student Success Specialist. Please keep the withdrawal and refund deadlines in mind.

Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)

The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) provides academic accommodations and educational support services to students with disabilities applying to, or attending, Algonquin College. If you are a student with a disability, you are strongly encouraged to contact the CAL. CAL services are confidential, free, and voluntary. Students are, however, required to self-identify in order to access services. For more information about documentation requirements and support services available at the CAL, please visit their website. To schedule an appointment with a Disabilities Counsellor, please refer to the contact details provided:

Tel: 613-727-4723 ext. 7200
TTY: 1-866-620-3845
Fax: 613-727-7661
Email: cal@algonquincollege.com

If you arrange academic accommodations through the CAL we strongly encourage you to disclose this to your Student Advisor, course facilitators and field placement supervisors so that we can provide you with adequate support throughout your courses and help you succeed in the program.

Technical Difficulties

If you experience technical difficulties accessing your courses or submitting your assignments, it is important to reach out for assistance as soon as possible. Contact the Information and Technology Services Department at 613-727-4723 ext. 5555. If your technical difficulties are restricting you from submitting an assignment, the ITS department will be able to provide you with a service ticket that you can then share with your course facilitator.

Review – Expectations of Students

In order for you to be most successful, it is important that you understand what we expect of you as a student in the ABS program. Given that this is an Ontario Graduate Certificate level program, we have high expectations for the students in this program. In order to be most successful throughout this program, we recommend that you follow these 11 strategies:

  1. Be Professional – Given that this is a graduate level program, we expect a high level of professionalism from you. This includes using an appropriate email address and proper email etiquette, as well as presenting yourself professionally through your social media.
    • If you don’t already have an appropriate email address, consider creating a new one – it is easy and free to create a new account using Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo. Consider an email address that is made up of just your name or initials (i.e. joansmith88@gmail.com, or j_smith@yahoo.ca).
    • Follow good netiquette – The way that you communicate in an online course is different to the way that you communicate with your friends via text messaging, social media or email. Learning how to communicate effectively, and following practices of good netiquette are important parts of your studentship and learning experience.
    • Proper email etiquette – Remember that you are speaking with people that you do not know personally therefore appropriate professional tone is required. Make sure that all of your emails start with a proper greeting, that your message or request is stated in full sentences, with proper punctuation and grammar, and that you sign off with a proper signatory (i.e. Thank you, Best Regards, Sincerely etc.). It is also important to include your full name and your student number. Avoid using text-message abbreviations (i.e. lol, omg) and grammar/punctuation that you would use when speaking with friends (i.e. multiple exclamation points). Use a subject line that appropriately describes the purpose of your email.
    • Social Media – In this day and age, almost everything that you post on the internet and social media can be traced. Potential placement agencies and employers may search your name before considering you for the position. Keep this in mind when you are posting to social media – how do you want to represent yourself to potential placement hosts and/or employers?
    • Check out this video for a quick review of professionalism in an online course.
  2. Be Respectful – We expect our students to remain respectful throughout the program.
    • Patience – Be patient in your interaction with others. Allow others time to respond to your phone calls, emails or messages. For example, sending 3 emails within 24 hours with the same question does not mean that your question will be answered more quickly. In fact, it demonstrates poor student and professional behaviour.
    • Inflammatory phone calls, voice messages, emails, discussion posts are also considered poor student behaviour. Using non-discriminatory and harassment-free language is your responsibility as part of Algonquin’s Student Code of Conduct.
  3. Stay Organized – Figure out where to find the information that you need to be successful in your course. Once you know where to find the important information, be sure to review it carefully:
    • Print your course calendars and post them in an easily accessible place. These calendars will help you keep track of your assignment due dates. You will likely also want to write out all of the important due dates/deadlines into your own personal agenda or calendar.
    • Review the assignment outlines and ask your Course Facilitators for clarification well in advance of the deadline.
    • Stay on top of your work – It can be easy to fall behind when you have a lot on your plate. Schedule time each day to focus on your school work. Create a plan for completing your assignments in advance. Consider these time management tips.
  4. Read Brightspace Announcements – Regular announcements will be posted in each of your courses on Brightspace. These announcements will contain important and helpful information so be sure to read each of them as they are posted. You can adjust your Brightspace settings in order to also receive email notifications when new announcements are posted.
  5. Check your college email – All communication from the College will be sent directly to your Algonquin College email account. You should be checking this account on a daily basis as important details will be sent to this account for registration and placement in the ABS program.
  6. Print Course Notes – Printable course notes are available for each of your lessons/modules. We highly recommend that you print the course notes prior to completing the module then highlight, add comments, make note of questions etc. as you move through each lesson. Having a printed copy of the course notes will also make studying easier! Unless you print them, you will only have access to the course notes for the duration of the course. It is likely that you will want to have these notes to review again in the future (i.e. during your placement, next courses, career etc.) so be sure to print them while the course is still active. Reading and note taking tips.
  7. Participate – Be an active participant in each of your courses. Log in regularly and post to the Discussion Board multiple times throughout the course. These strategies will help you further engage with the course material. If you have a question or comment, be sure to post it to the Discussion Board. This will create opportunities for discussion among your peers.
  8. Understand Content – Your job as a student is to access and learn the course content and demonstrate your understanding of the information through a set of assessments. While we are happy to support you through the process, it is ultimately your responsibility. Continue to study the content, ask questions and seek clarity until you are confident that you understand. The concepts build throughout the program, so it is important to fully grasp the content in each course/level before moving on to the next course/level.
  9. Ask Questions – During your time in this program, you have access to a group of professional experts in ABA. Take advantage of these resources – ask questions, seek feedback and generate discussion. This is a critical piece of being a student in this program. We are here to help you, so please ask us!
  10. Meet Deadlines – The ability to complete tasks and meet deadlines is important, not only as a student in this program, but also as you go on to begin your career in ABA. Course calendars are available for each of the courses in this program. You will gain access to these once your course is available on Brightspace. Be sure to review these calendars and make note of important deadlines. Late penalties will be implemented for assignments that are submitted past the deadlines. It is important for you to hand in all of your assignments on time in order to avoid loosing marks for tardiness (and therefore get the highest marks possible in the courses).
  11. Maintain academic Integrity – As a graduate student you are expected to maintain academic integrity. This means that you should avoid plagiarism (the act of representing someone else’s work or ideas as your own).
  12. Use APA Formatting – The field of Applied Behaviour Analysis follows the rules of APA formatting. Learning the expectations of APA formatting can be overwhelming but there are a number of excellent sources that you can use as reference guides.
  13. Prepare for placement – Review the Field Placement Preparation Guide and follow the steps and deadlines. It is your responsibility to complete the requirements. Failure to do so will forfeit your opportunity to complete the field placements.
  14. Enjoy your learning experience – There’s lots to enjoy about being an Autism and Behavioural Science student! The field of Applied Behaviour Analysis is fascinating and exciting. Our dedicated team at Algonquin College has worked hard to ensure that this program is valuable, interesting and enriching, and we are here to support your learning, help you succeed and have a positive experience. We hope you enjoy this program!