SPED 528a - Characteristics and Eligibility of Exceptionalities (initial licensure)

4 credits
Focuses on the categories of exceptionalities included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). The course will include information about organic and environmental causes of disabilities, the learning characteristics of students within categories, definitions for each category of eligibility, criteria for identifying students under each eligibility category, and strategies to engage all learners, including dyslexia instruction. In addition, students will develop skills to design interventions for students with severe disabilities including instruction for self-help skills, social skills, and a variety of living and family skills. Special attention will focus on cultural and linguistic characteristics of students, and how these factors affect eligibility under the Reauthorization of IDEA. Prerequisite(s): This course is for students in the initial SPED Licensure program.
Graded (A-F) only.