ThryInstrPractStdntsw/LowIncid

Catalog description

This course addresses the definitions, characteristics, assessments, and specific techniques for students with mild, moderate, and profound intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and autism. In addition, this course includes students with multiple disabilities who may also be blind or deaf. These students need special education, including adaptive, academic, social, and functional curricula. Characteristics are addressed about why and how instruction can meet these individuals' learning and developmental needs, specifically in cognitive development, systematic instruction, assistive technology, individualized learning strategies and tools, and language communication. This course includes research-validated instructional strategies, adaptive and assistive technologies, augmentative communication systems, and communication and social interaction alternatives for non-speaking individuals. Behaviorally based educational models for students with autism and other moderate and severe disabilities present methods to enhance functional skill development in major life domains and emphasize transition planning, community-based training, and self-determination. The course is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and the required competencies are included in the course readings, discussions, PowerPoint presentations, videos, assignments, Zoom meetings, and reflections.