Optimising Sensory and Physical Needs (DST109)

This course will provide insight into the implications of sensory and physical deficits that impact the functional abilities through the lifespan of individuals with childhood onset disabilities. From the understanding of the basis of sensory and physical deficits, students will be engaged in discussions and introduced to relevant and current global perspectives of how to optimise functional long term and mindsets of inclusion of people with childhood onset disabilities into society. Strategies discussed will emphasise the need for a holistic approach which, at school, in the home and in society, where impact on the family, especially siblings, will be considered. The course will review World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, and utilise the ICF to guide strategies to be applied. In addition, translation of research into practice through purposeful approaches, where concepts will be reviewed and discussed to identify helpful strategies that can be applied to the local context based on our diverse Singaporean compact within the available systems.

• Conceptualisations of sensory and physical deficits in childhood onset disability
• Recognising and Understanding Diverse effects from sensory and physical deficits
• What is the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework?
• What is the relevance of ICF in the Singapore context?
• Considering the lifespan perspectives of childhood onset disability
• Disability and impact on the family
• Service delivery based on sensory and physical disability needs
• Acceptance of dysfunctional sensory and physical needs in the Socio-Cultural of the Singapore compact
• The current state of acceptance in Singapore
• Beyond the school setting
• The hurdles and catalysts for the acceptance of inclusion
• The future direction in this area of sensory and physical challenges for person with disabilities (Research and Understanding)

• Describe the various approaches to managing sensory and physical difficulties.
• Develop an appropriate intervention plan for persons with sensory and physical difficulties.
• Review international best-practice models to advance inclusion of people with childhood-onset disabilities across the lifespan.
• Explain the different types of sensory and physical deficits and its impact.
• Employ the ICF framework to guide approaches and interventions.
• Examine the ways in which sensory and physical challenges evolve across the lifespan and their impact on functional abilities.