Exceptionalities & Behavior

Catalog description

Reviews the historical sequence leading to the mandates in special education. Explores implications of federal law with an emphasis on the definitions and characteristics of exceptionalities and various philosophies regarding the education of students with exceptional learning needs. Strategies of inclusion are discussed. Includes an introduction to nondiscriminatory evaluation and functional assessment of individuals with exceptionalities and the use of assistive technologies for enabling instruction. The course will present a rational and pragmatic approach to general classroom management. Throughout the course, emphasis will be given to the Positive Behavior and Intervention support (PBIS) framework, establish rules, preventing behavior problems, and teaching social skills. Students will complete a minimum of 15 hours in a field experience with persons with an exceptional learning need.