Understanding the Special Needs Child
| Special Education is a wide field that still contains some uncertainties. The major aim of this course is to help anyone to understand more clearly what Special Education is about. The course will provide definitions and insights into the various branches of Special Education. It will help especially parents to know what to look for and how to get help if they suspect that their child may need special educational services. The course covers the following topics: Learning Disabilities, Gifted and Talented, Emotional and Social Disorders, ADD/ADHD, Mental Disorders.
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The students will :
1. have a better understanding of what it means for a child to need special educational services.
2. have basic information on the different types of special needs and their probable causes.
3. be better able to provide activities and guidance for a child with a special need.
4. be motivated to further study and learn about Special Education.
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The students will complete a brief essay-type assignment at the end of each lesson. These will be reviewed and graded by me. An overall grade of 70 or more will be considered a passing grade.
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Introduction: Basic definitions of the terms, information about the types and causes of exceptionality in children.What to look for and steps to take if you suspect a child may have special needs.
Learning disabilities: Introduction to the various types of learning disabilities and some suggestions for helping a child with a disability. This will include communication disorders such as speech and language disorders.
Giftedness: Identifying the gifted child and teaching him is just as important as addressing the needs of learning disabled children. This lesson gives an idea of the characteristics of gifted and talented children and some guidelines for teaching them.
Social and behavioral disorders: This lesson will help to understand the causes and characteristics of behaviorial disorders. Attention deficit disorders will be included in this lesson.
Mental disorders: This lesson includes a definition, classifcation and causes of mental retardation.
Contact Hours: 10
