Adapted Curriculum and Autism
An emphasis in Adapted Curriculum is for individuals interested in teaching students with moderate to severe autism and developmental disabilities. Training in this emphasis area will prepare teachers to work with students working in an adapted curriculum, meaning they do not follow the typical general curriculum implemented in most classrooms. The curriculum may include teaching functional academics, life long personal and social skills, vocational skills, recreational and leisure skills, and community involvement. The curriculum emphasizes training in behavior management, instructional strategies, technology-based supports and transition skills. The students who are most frequently served under adapted curriculum are those with moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability (MOID, SID, PID) as well as moderate to severe autism (ASD).
Candidates in this emphasis are eligible for initial Georgia certification (BSED and MAT) or can add to existing teaching certifications (Med). The Special Education Program recommends to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that a graduate be awarded a clear renewable teaching (T) certificate in Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P-12). The state of Georgia awards the certificate to an applicant based upon this recommendation and passing of the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests.