Early Childhood Educators
Special Needs in the Early Years (SPE209)
Synopsis
SPE209 Special Needs in the Early Years examines special needs in the early years of child development. Developmental problems pose challenges to early detection, as symptoms can be difficult to discriminate from features of typical development. Early identification of children with developmental delays is thus important. In the Singaporean context, developmental screening is essential to the process of accessing support services of early intervention and early childhood special education.
Management of Behaviour in Special Education (SPE105)
Synopsis
SPE105 Management of Behaviour in Special Education introduces students to the range of issues and practices involved in the management of the Special Education classroom. This includes the deployment of antecedents to pre-empt behaviour issues. Considerations will be given to behaviour management in inclusive classrooms. Tools for identifying behavioural patterns, consequences and challenges, as well as their implication for instructional planning and rectification will also allow teachers to strategise interventional approaches in the Special Education classroom.
Pedagogy and Intervention II: Teaching to Meet Diverse Education Needs (SPE203)
Synopsis
SPE203 Pedagogy and Intervention II: Teaching to Meet Diverse Education Needs foregrounds the teaching of curriculum content typically taught in diverse classroom types. The concept of effective classroom management, the school-wide, class-wide and individual strategies are explored. There will also be a focus on the interventions required for managing emotional and behavioral challenges within the context of a Special Education classroom, or with students with Special Educational Needs included in the mainstream classroom. This course necessitates reflection on the implications that pedagogical approaches have on issues such as teacher stress and burn-out.
General Educators
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (SPE205)
Synopsis
SPE205 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) examines autism, its early signs and primary symptoms within the spectrum of autism disorder. It highlights the challenges that ASD poses to both diagnosis, treatment, intervention and teaching. The provision of support and educational placement is examined in terms of the major approaches to supporting autism needs including the strategies that have been found to be effective in managing behaviours and imparting skills based on research on autism. Support for ASD is also examined within the framework of inclusion.
Introduction to Special Educational Needs (SPE101)
Synopsis
SPE101 Introduction to Special Educational Needs traces the historical development of services for the education of people with special needs. It highlights how the social culture of the day influences perceptions and views of Special Education, and examines the language and terminology used in Special Education as social constructions developed in historical contexts. It explores the dominant perspectives on special education including medical, psychological, administrative and educational. Students also explore the wider social, historical and political perspectives on the policies, practices and processes that make up Special Education in different countries, with an intimate focus on Singapore.
Pedagogy and Intervention I: Teaching Individuals with Special Educational Needs (SPE201)
SynopsisSPE201 Pedagogy and Intervention I: Teaching Individuals with Special Educational Needs introduces the process of psycho-educational assessment, and procedures such as the identifying of strengths and weakness, understanding the learning and developmental concerns and the educational planning related to learning profiles. The assessment procedures, in response to referral questions, are examined and placed in the context of communication and collaboration with parents and professionals from multiple disciplines working with the child with Special Educational Needs. Critically related to this is the different approaches taken to link findings from the assessment to intervention and teaching.
Autism Studies
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (SPE205)
Synopsis
SPE205 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) examines autism, its early signs and primary symptoms within the spectrum of autism disorder. It highlights the challenges that ASD poses to both diagnosis, treatment, intervention and teaching. The provision of support and educational placement is examined in terms of the major approaches to supporting autism needs including the strategies that have been found to be effective in managing behaviours and imparting skills based on research on autism. Support for ASD is also examined within the framework of inclusion.
Language and Communication Needs (SPE107)
Synopsis
SPE107 Language and Communication Needs ascribes the needs of pupils with difficulties in language and communication. Participants examine theories relating to language development and communication, and how these can impact learning. The use of strategies and technology are explored in supporting pupils with language and communication difficulties.
Management of Behaviour in Special Education (SPE105)
Synopsis
SPE105 Management of Behaviour in Special Education introduces students to the range of issues and practices involved in the management of the Special Education classroom. This includes the deployment of antecedents to pre-empt behaviour issues. Considerations will be given to behaviour management in inclusive classrooms. Tools for identifying behavioural patterns, consequences and challenges, as well as their implication for instructional planning and rectification will also allow teachers to strategise interventional approaches in the Special Education classroom.
Adult Disabilities
Supporting Special Needs in the Home (SPE315)
Synopsis
SPE315 Supporting Special Needs in the Home situates the centrality of the home and family in special needs service delivery. Support programmes that are home-based and parent-inclusive integrate the unique strengths, needs and culturally Special Educational Needs assistive priorities of the child with special needs, the parents as primary caregivers and the family. This course presents the collaboration of professionals with and their support of the primary caregiver as critical contributors to positive early childhood outcomes for the child with special needs.
Transition into Adulthood and Employment (SPE313)
Synopsis
SPE313 Transition into Adulthood and Employment examines the process of preparing the individual for transition from childhood into adult life. For individuals with special needs, the social emotional changes involved in moving from school or college to a successful and independent adult life make the process complicated. This course examines the planning needed to support transition to higher education and/or employment, and the resources of health and social care, as well as education services that support the transition to living independently and active participation in society.
Adolescents and Youth with Special Educational Needs (SPE311)
Synopsis
Adolescents and youths with Special Educational Needs commonly face health and functional challenges. They are most likely to have difficulty performing various activities of daily living without help. Many have trouble communicating with and understanding others. Hence, they engage less in school and community activities. Like typically developing adolescents, they face many challenges associated with the adolescent years. If not properly supported, mental health issues can arise. SPE311 Adolescents and Youth with Special Educational Needs examines the typical needs and challenges that these adolescents and youth have.