Course Content
Module 1: Special Education and Exceptional Children
This module studies the different types of exceptional children, which include intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. The module will provide students with an understanding of special needs education, the different programmes and specialties as well as the educational support framework.
Module 2: Diagnosis, Assessment and Referral of Exceptional Children
This module will have information on the principles and guidance strategies as applied to the exceptional child. Students will gain knowledge in the diverse range of education and psychological tests applicable to referral, assessment and placement of exceptional children. Students will also be exposed to the roles and responsibilities of the different supporting professionals such as the speech pathologists, psychologists and the occupational pathologists. Emphasis is placed on a unified team approach of differential diagnosis and treatment.
Module 3: Literacy; Numeracy and Social Skills
This module will introduce the students to the different theories, research and concepts to educational methods and materials used to help a child develop his literacy, numeracy and daily living skills.
Module 4: Behaviour & Classroom Management
This module focuses on the development of principles and procedures of behavioural change within the conceptual framework of social learning. The course emphasizes practical application of behavioural modification techniques in classroom settings and everyday situations. Variations discussed include the training of parents and teachers to work with children, the introduction of token learning principles into the home and school, and modification of peer and supervisor behaviour.
Module 5: Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Intervention Strategies
This module focuses on the theories, concepts application and implementation of intervention programmes such as mastery learning, peer tutoring, collaborative teaching, multi sensory learning and assistive technology. In addition, the module will also help student understand the purpose and importance of an IEP. The main focus will be to help students to competently design and implement an IEP for individuals in the following domains: Language and communication, cognitive, social and emotional, fine motor, gross motor and adaptive living skills.
Module 6: Specific Learning Difficulties
This module will study the characteristics, identification, evaluation and development of learning procedures for individuals who are normal in intelligence but who are failing to learn because of characteristics consistent with central nervous system dysfunction such as perceptual motor disturbances, languages disorders, academic problems and behaviour control disorders. Students will develop an understanding of common specific learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia. Intervention approaches such as the Hanen approach, Orton-Gillingham and the THRASS approach will be taught.
Module 7: Autism Spectrum Disorders
This module will provide the students with an understanding of the theories, diagnosis, characteristics, cognitive processes and issues relating to classical autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Rett’s disorders and PDDNOS. Students will understand the medical aspects and theories and controversies essential to quality programming for students with autism and be able to apply intervention strategies to optimize opportunities for people with autism.
Module 8: Attention Deficit Disorders
This module will provide the students with an introduction to the concept of attention deficit disorders and attention deficit with hyperactive disorder. Students will be familiar with the characteristics, causes, diagnosis, issues and management strategies of individuals with attention deficit disorders and attention deficit with hyperactive disorders.
Module 9: Sensory Integration
This module will provide students with an understanding of the theories, diagnosis, characteristics, cognitive processes and issues relating to sensory integration disorder. Intervention strategies to manage sensory disorder will also be covered.
Module 10: Communication Disorders
The module will provide students with an overview of the various communication disorders likely to be encountered in the classroom; students will be exposed to the roles of a speech pathologist and will examine the principles and teaching methods in order to interact with children with communication disorders. Approaches such as PECS and Makaton will be introduced.
Module 11: 30 Hours of Supervised Practicum
Students will be attached to special needs school to gain practical experience working with special needs children under supervision. At the end of the attachment, students are required to submit a written report for assessment.
