Special Education 639

I. Course Title: Medical Aspects of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities

II. Course Number: EDSP 639

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: 

This course provides students with an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Students will be provided with an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities.

Course content includes:

• Emergency care and the role of health care professionals in the lives of individuals with disabilities; 
• Use and effects of medications and treatments;
• Etiologies, prevalence and life span perspectives of medical and neurodevelopmental disabling and at-risk conditions of infants, toddlers, and young children;
• Characteristics of infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions;
• Management of neurodevelopmental and motor disabilities, atypical motor development, sensory integration dysfunction, positioning and handling, feeding, toileting, and dressing;
• Use of Assistive Technology (legal aspects, types, etc.) with infants, toddlers, and young children with medical and neurodevelopmental conditions; and 
• Current certification in infant/child first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

This course may include a lecture format with class discussion, audio/visual presentations, simulations, audiovisual and web-based technologies, formal and informal writing, case studies, cooperative learning groups, observations and field studies, guest speakers, and student presentations. 

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Goals, objectives, and assignments address the Virginia Department of Education regulations for preparing educators and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Initial Preparation Standards and Specialty Set Knowledge and Skill Items. Specialty set included in this course covers competencies for Early Childhood Special Education.

In order to gain an understanding of and experiences with the medical aspects of young children with disabling and at-risk conditions and the management of neuro-developmental and motor disabilities, this course will prepare each student to:

1. Identify legal, ethical, educational, policy and family issues that often are associated with young children with medical and health conditions.
2. Describe factors that contribute to atypical development of young children with health and medically related conditions, including etiology, characteristics, and classification of common disabilities. 
3. Demonstrate skill in emergency care including possession of current certification in infant/child first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 
4. Implement basic health, nutrition, and safety management procedures for infants and young children, including universal precautions. 
5. Describe basic techniques for safe administration of medication and the common effects of medications on children. 
6. Describe common neurodevelopmental, motor, and special health care conditions; their prevalence, etiology, IDEIA classifications, and implications for development, learning, and family life across the lifespan.
7. Demonstrate appropriate use of technology suitable for young children including incorporating adaptive and assistive technology in instruction. 
8. Read and critically apply research and recommended practices to services for young children with disabilities and their families. 
9. Demonstrate understanding of basic terminology used by therapeutic and medical professionals in education/intervention settings.
10. Identify common roles and responsibilities of therapeutic and health care professionals in the lives of children and their families, and strategies for collaboration and referral.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of neurodevelopmental and motor disorders on movement and posture. 
12. Demonstrate basic appropriate techniques for positioning, lifting/transferring, carrying, feeding, and dressing children with physical disabilities.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to:

• Exam(s)
• Case study: screening of a child for motor and sensory impairment: written report
• Web-based application assignments: search and evaluate online resources
• Individual presentations of projects and assignments on medical conditions of young children

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

May 5, 2022