REQUIRED TEXT:
Learners with Mild Disabilities: A Characteristics Approach (Book only) by Eileen B.
Raymond, 5 th Edition ISBN 978-0133827118
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to focus on the legal foundations, characteristics, identification, and educational needs of learners with behavioral, learning and cognitive disabilities. Current definitions and classification systems, prevalence, terminology, social and behavioral characteristics, diagnostic and remedial procedures, and controversial issues in the field of behavioral, learning, and cognitive disabilities are covered. Weekly reading summary/reflections, two assessments, and a ten-page research-based term paper are required in this course.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to understand:
1) The principles and theories, relevant laws and policies, and human issues that influence the special education professional practice, and how issues of human diversity impact families, cultures, schools, and the delivery of special education services.
2) Similarities and differences in human development and the characteristics between and among individuals with and without exceptional needs, and use this knowledge to respond to varying abilities and behaviors of individuals with exceptional learning needs.
3) The effects an exceptional condition can have on an individual’s learning in school and life, and impact the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communication development of individuals
with exceptional learning needs and provides opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
4) Typical and atypical language development and uses individualized strategies and augmentative, alternative and assistive technologies to enhance language development and teach communication skills.
5) The educational assessment process and use various assessment strategies to support the continuous development of all students.
6) How students differ in their approaches to learning and how to create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.