Psychology/Characteristics of Students With Disabilities Course Information
SPEB 649 Psychology/Characteristics of Students With Disabilities
Course Description
In this course, candidates will study the 13 major disability categories identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) paying special attention to learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, autism, other health impaired, orthopedic impairments and traumatic brain injury. The etiology, characteristics, and impact of each of these disabilities on development, learning, and behavior of students at preschool, elementary, middle, secondary, and postsecondary levels will be addressed. Candidates will review case studies, become familiar with issues within and across these disability categories, and engage in research on varied aspects of these disability areas. The impact of the diagnosis on family as well as related issues will be examined. Candidates also will become familiar with resources and sources of current information/research on the various disabilities.
Week 1
Lecture: Introduction
Outcomes
- Become familiar with the prevalence patterns and trends for the various disabilities that are part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Examine the trends in educational placement of individuals with disabilities
- Become familiar with particular areas of concern with respect to the identification and diagnosis of individuals with disabilities
- Use person first language in referring to individuals with disabilities
Week 2
Lecture: Intellectual Disability
Outcomes
- Become familiar with the myths and misconceptions about the disability category of Mental Retardation
- Categorize and differentiate the various elements of the definition of mental retardation/intellectual disability
- Identify the impact of an intellectual disability on various aspects of an individual’s life
Week 3
Lecture: Learning Disabilities
Outcomes
- Become familiar with the various dimensions of learning disabilities
- Become familiar with the myths and misconceptions about the disability category of learning disabilities
- Identify academic manifestations of learning disabilities
- Identify the impact of a learning disability on various aspects of an individual’s life
Week 4
Lecture: Students With Attention Deficit Disorder
Outcomes
- Identify and differentiate the major elements of the major elements of the DSM definition of Attention Deficit Disorder
- Become familiar with attentional demands and how this disability impacts those demands
- Become familiar with the myths and misconceptions about the disability ADD/ADHD
- Identify the impact of an ADD on various aspects of an individuals’ life
Week 5
Lecture: Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the PDD classification and its relationship to autism
- Examine myths associated with the disability of autism
- Differentiate between Autism and Asperger’s syndrome
- Become familiar with the impact of Autism and Asperger’s syndrome on school functioning and on other life activities
Week 6
Lecture: Brain Injury and TBI
Outcomes
- Differentiate traumatic brain injury from other brain injuries
- Identify the stages of the period after a traumatic brain injury
- Become familiar with the impact of a traumatic brain injury on school functioning
Week 7
Lecture: The Family and Students With Disabilities
Outcomes
- Become familiar with the stages a family moves through with the diagnosis of a disability
- Identify the different roles and challenges within a family when a diagnosis of a disability is made
- Become familiar with the adjustment of siblings of individuals with disabilities
Week 8
Lecture: Resilience and Success Attributes
Outcomes
- Become familiar with the relationship between risk and resilience, the concept of resilience in individuals with disabilities, and the development of resilience in individuals with disabilities
- Become familiar with success attributes for individuals with disabilities
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. October 2011
