Understanding Children with Special Needs and Their Families

Course Description: Early childhood education programs are essential components of success for students with cognitive and social disabilities and those who have symptoms of or may be at risk for such disabilities. For many children with cognitive and social disabilities, inclusion is more successful and meaningful at younger ages because the gap in skills and abilities is smaller (Mastergeorge & Mundy 2012) (Kluth & Shouse 2009).  Participants will become familiar with some of the more common disabilities of young children and learn strategies for adapting their early childhood program for successful inclusion.

Course Objectives:
1. Identify the major characteristics of different types of cognitive and social disabilities;
2. Describe strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities, including individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Down Syndrome, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), and Social Anxieties.
3. Plan to implement modifications to their curriculum and program to include individuals with disabilities
                             

More Information

EEC Training Hours: 5

CEU: 0.5

QRIS Standard Alignment: Curriculum and Learning

Core Competency: 4: Health, Safety, and Nutrition