Children With Special Needs Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

CDEC-1359-001 Children With Special Needs

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of information regarding children with special needs including possible causes and characteristics of exceptionalities, educational intervention, available resources, referral processes and the advocacy role and legislative issues. TECA - Texas Early Childhood Articulation academic transfer course that will partially satisfy the first two-year requirements of a Child Development/Early Childhood baccalaureate degree at any Texas public university.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

End-of-Course Outcomes: Summarize causes, incidences and characteristics of exceptionalities related to the domains of development; discuss current terminology and practices for intervention strategies; identify appropriate community resources and referrals for individual children and families; identify legislation and legal mandates and their impact on practices and environments; explain the role of advocacy for children with special needs and their families; and identify materials and resources, including current technology, to support learning in all domains for each and every child.

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education, 8th edition,
Allen, Eileen K., and Cowdery, Glynnis E., Thomson Delmar Learning, 2012 with Blackboard Mindlinks access code.

You can purchase this textbook through AC’s West Campus Bookstore. Bundled with this textbook will be a Blackboard Mindlinks access code that you must have in order to view the publisher’s online course content, which also includes 21 teach source videos.

 

Supplies

Students will need access to a computer with broad band internet service, computer printer and paper.

 

Student Performance

1. Summarize causes, incidences and characteristics of exceptionalities related to the domains of development.
2. Discuss current terminology and practices for intervention strategies.
3. Identify appropriate community resources and referrals for individual children and families.
4. Review legislation and legal mandates and their impact on practices and environments.
5. Explain the role of advocacy for children with special needs and their families.
6. Use various types of materials and resources, including current technology to support learning in all domains for all children.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

Grading Criteria

Students will receive points for the following components:

1 hour of observation in a special needs classroom 50 points
On-line assignments 100 points
Special Needs Presentation 100 points
1 Article @ 50 points
5 exams @ 100 each 500 points
Total 800 points

Conversion Chart:
90 – 100 = A      720 - 800 = A
80 – 89 = B        640-719= B
70 - 79 = C        560-639 = C
60 - 69 = D        480-559 = D
Below 60= F     Below 480 = F

 

 

Attendance

Students are expected to log onto the class site and complete all work according to the directions there.

Calendar

Additional Information

To satisfactorily complete this course, the student will:

1. Read assigned chapters, and view Power Point presentations.

2. Participate and complete weekly learning activities (i.e. drop boxes, and other assigned activities

3. Complete five examinations over course content throughout the semester.

4. Compose a summary of one current article (2010-2015) concerning developmental disabilities.  These will be posted in a Drop Box.  Any topic mentioned in the text may be the subject of an article summary.  The source for the article may be any specialized journal, magazine, newspaper, or the Internet.  Please include the following in your typed summary:
   1. Title of journal, magazine, or newspaper, or internet website
   2. Title of article and author
   3. Date of publication
   4. A summary statement about the author’s main message
   5. What did you learn from reading the article?
   6. Was this article of value to you?  If so, how?
5. Observe for 1 hour in a Special Needs classroom that serves children anywhere between the ages of 3 and 10.  Observations may be done in a PPCD classroom which serves children with special needs between the ages of 3-5, or in another specialized environment with children between the ages of 3-10.  I will give students a list of schools and classrooms that have given prior consent to observers.  All visits must be scheduled in advance either with the teacher or the principal.  Please remember to dress appropriately when visiting these classrooms because you are representing Amarillo College.  Specific questions will be given to students to answer regarding their observations.

6. Create and present a special need presentation.  It is helpful to have some knowledge of common disabilities.  We can develop a better understanding of children with special needs by knowing general characteristics of their disabilities and how the disabilities may affect their growth and development.  Each student will create a Power Point or another approved method to present your topic.  There will be a Drop Box set up specifically for the presentations.….more to come later about this assignment.  Following is a list of some common disabilities:         

 

Abuse/Neglect    ADHD/ADD   Cerebral Palsy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Leukemia Nutritional Deficiencies Speech and Language Problems Visual Impairment

Arthritis  Autism (Pervasive Developmental Delays)  Diabetes       Hearing Impairment    Mental Retardation Motor Problems (Gross and Fine) Down Syndrome Fragile X Syndrome

Asthma  Behavioral/Social/Emotional Problems Epilepsy       Learning Disabilities

 

There may be other disabilities that are of interest to you.  You are not limited to the ones that I have listed, but you do need to let me approve your topic, so we do not have any duplicates.

 

Please include the following in your typed report:

·         Definition of the disability

·         Rate of occurrence and cause

·         Behavioral characteristics

·         Physical characteristics

·         Educational needs

·         Resources (Variety of books, articles, web sites, etc.) minimum of 4

·         Organizations

·         Parent Resources

·         3 or 4 strategies that will help a child in a classroom with this specific disability

Things to Remember:

• There is peer tutoring available to you at no cost. Let me know if you need assistance.
• If for some reason you are unable to complete the class, be sure to notify the instructor before November 22, 2016, which is the last day to drop a class.
• Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, should contact Accessibility services at 371-5436 as soon as possible.
• You need to schedule time during each week to complete your coursework just as if you were attending an in-person class. Doing this will help ensure your success.
• The course will run from Monday to Sunday which means a new assignment will open each week beginning on Monday at 6:00 am, and assignments will be due by the following Sunday at 11:59 pm.
• The first four exams will be open for a five day period, which means that you may take them any time during those five days.  The final exam will be open for two days.
• Please make a strong effort to complete all exams by the deadline date and time. Make up exams are up to the instructor’s discretion.