Special Education (SPED)

This course is an introduction to the field of early childhood special education and is designed to familiarize students with current information regarding early intervention for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities through the age of eight, and developmental delays or deviations. Field work may be required in this course.

This course introduces students to the roles and responsibilities of educational paraprofessionals working with young children (ages 2.9 to 8) in public-school settings. Emphasis is on providing educational paraprofessionals and students interested in paraprofessional opportunities with knowledge and skills for aiding certified and licensed professional staff in schools. 

In this course, students complete 100-200 hours of field work designed to develop, practice, and improve their knowledge and skills in classroom management, environmental planning, behavior and guidance, and curriculum development. Students will apply developmental and learning theories and use pedagogical best practices in a learning environment that includes and accommodates all children (ages 0 to 8) including those with disabilities and developmental delays. While in field work, students are closely guided, supervised, and mentored by a classroom teacher and/or special education professional, and are required to participate in a seminar

This course examines abnormal behavior within the scope of development. The course reviews normative development and examines it against a myriad of disorders that arise beginning in early childhood extending through adolescence and genetic, cultural, and environmental factors. Evaluation and treatment perspectives will be explored.