Special Education 439

EDSP 439: Medical and Neurodevelopmental Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities

Prerequisites: Minimum 2.5 GPA
Corequisites: EDSP 361
Pre- or Corequisites: EDSP 360 or EDSP 361

Credit Hours: (3)

This course helps students develop an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities. 

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Students will develop an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities. 

 

Course content includes:

•Emergency care and the role of health care professionals in the lives of individuals with disabilities

•Use and effects of medications and treatments

•Community resources that support child and family health and well-being

•Medical and neurodevelopmental disabling and at-risk conditions of infants, toddlers, and young children

•Characteristics of infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions

•Eligibility categories and services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

•Instructional Planning and implementation for infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions

•Management of neurodevelopmental and motor disabilities: atypical motor development, sensory integration dysfunction, positioning and handling, feeding, toileting, and dressing

•Use of assistive technology with infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions

•Health care procedures for infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions including first aid, emergency care, infection control, seizure care, administration of medications, common health care procedures and the role of health care professionals

•Low-incidence health care procedures including: non-oral feeding procedures, atypical elimination procedures (ostomy, clean intermittent catheterization), respiratory management (tracheotomy care, suctioning, oxygen, ventilation), developing special health care plans, role of school and early intervention professionals, and ethical and policy issues

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course will involve a lecture format with class discussion, audio/visual presentations, simulations, and written exams.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Goals, objectives, and assignments address the Virginia Department of Education regulations for preparing educators and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Initial Preparation Standards and Specialty Set Knowledge and Skill Items. Specialty set included in this course cover competencies for Early Childhood Special Education.

 

In order to have an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities, this course will prepare each student to:

1.Identify biological and environmental factors that affect pre-, peri-, and postnatal development and learning 

2.Be familiar with the effect of medical conditions and related care on development and learning 

3.Recognize signs of emotional distress, neglect, and abuse, and follow reporting procedures 

4.Use evaluation procedures and recommend referral with ongoing follow-up to community health and social services 

5.Identify the effects of various medications on individuals with exceptionalities 

6.Be familiar with the effects an exceptional condition or conditions can have on an individual’s life 

7.Demonstrate understanding of terminology used by therapeutic and medical professionals in education/intervention settings.

8.Demonstrate appropriate techniques for positioning, lifting/transferring, carrying, feeding, and dressing children with physical disabilities.

9.Demonstrate appropriate use of technology suitable for young children including incorporating adaptive and assistive technology in instruction.

10.Demonstrate understanding of health and safety practices in home, early intervention, child care, and school settings.

11.Identify ethical and policy issues related to educational, social, and medical services.

12.Demonstrate ethical professional behaviors in interactions in class and with children and families, and professionals within the community.

 

Assessment Measures

Assessment Measures may include:

1.Taking formal tests and/or quizzes to assess mastery of course goals.

2.Participating in class discussions, small group activities, and reflective writing.

3.Obtaining certification in CPR and First Aid.

4.Completing child abuse module.

5.Completing other assignments as deemed appropriate.

 

Other Course Information

This course is a required professional education course for the early childhood special education teaching licensure option.

 

Review and Approval

Revised 2012

Revised April, 2009