Introduction to Special Education in Early Childhood Settings

Course Description

This course provides an overview of learning disabilities, attention, and behavior difficulties in young students. Participants will gain familiarity with the current special education field and their role within it. The materials provided are designed to support understanding of how disabilities affect learning and instruction. Participants will also be introduced to state and federal laws relating to providing free and appropriate education to students with disabilities. Topics include atypical brain development, characteristics of learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and co-occurring difficulties, behavior, attention, and the role of the special education assistant.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to

• Learn the general characteristics of learning disabilities and co-occurring academic, behavior, and attention challenges
• Understand federal and state laws that pertain to provision of accommodations and modifications in a classroom
• Understand the impacts of learning disabilities on a student's capacity to learn successfully and feel confident
• Develop an understanding of student behavior and attention challenges
• Learn about the role of the teaching assistant in a student's education