10-809-138Exceptional Person
Course Information
Description
This course is designed to provide an introduction to exceptional persons. Topics studied include cognitive disability, giftedness, learning disabilities, emotional disorders, visual impairments, hearing impairments and various physical disabilities. Learning activities focus on educational, legal, and personal life issues.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Compare the historical perspective of special needs with the realities and challenges of today.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    Criteria
    you discriminate between exceptionality, handicap, and disability
    you summarize how and why the concept of mental retardation has changed over the years
    you describe the impact of de-institutionalization
    you compare the institutionalization of exceptional individuals in the past with prevailing practices

  2. Investigate the provisions of legislation concerning the educational rights of exceptional individuals.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    Criteria
    you explain the major provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other recent laws pertaining to special education
    you assess how schools have changed because of legislation

  3. Evaluate the arguments used for and against the movement towards inclusion.
    Assessment Strategies
    through quiz questions
    through class discussion
    through video case study analysis
    Criteria
    you explain the rationale behind inclusion
    you discuss inclusion in terms of the least restrictive environment
    you describe how inclusion is viewed differently by parents, taxpayers, administrators, and others

  4. Establish a personal philosophy of education for exceptional individuals.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through group projects
    through assignments
    through community observation report
    Criteria
    you evaluate the factors involved in the inclusion debate
    you analyze the appropriateness of legal mandates
    you conclude how she/he would personally approach exceptional education
    you debate the philosophical argument about whether gifted children need special education

  5. Summarize the basic causes of each of the exceptions.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    through interacting with community speakers
    Criteria
    you summarize several causes of mental retardation
    you outline why the causes of severe disabilities are increasing and the implications of that increase
    you explain how the cultural-familial type of cognitive disability evolves
    you analyze the causes of epilepsy
    you identify possible contributing factors to behavioral/emotional disorders
    you recognize causes of various physical and medical disabilities
    you outline possible causes of learning disabilities
    you analyze myths and misconceptions about sexual abuse
    you describe the major causes of visual problems
    you describe major causes of hearing loss

  6. Summarize the characteristics of each of the exceptions.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    through a community observation report
    through classroom simulations
    through discussion with community speakers
    Criteria
    you contrast characteristics associated with four levels of severity in cognitive disabilities
    you summarize how adaptive behavior is measured
    you summarize the factors of adjustment of a person with a physical disability
    you outline the characteristics of cerebral palsy
    you describe the characteristics of epilepsy
    you discuss the characteristics of individuals with learning disabilities
    you outline the difficulty in defining a learning disability
    you describe the diagnosis of ADHD
    you identify criteria for assessing emotional disabilities
    you summarize the classification of various behavioral conditions
    you differentiate between externalized and internalized types of disordered behaviors
    you discuss the behavioral characteristics of an individual with autism
    you outline the types of visual impairments
    you recognize the complex needs of a person with multiple disabilities
    you contrast congenital and adventitious blindness
    you contrast mild, moderate, profound, and severe hearing loss

  7. Explain the educational implications involved in each of the exceptions.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    through simulation exercises
    through a community observation report
    Criteria
    you discuss the impact of normalization
    you summarize task analysis
    you outline the principles of behavior modification
    you describe the advantages of direct daily measurement
    you compare acceleration and enrichment
    you explain the educational implications of the daily management for a person with cerebral palsy
    you discuss the identification criteria for learning disabilities
    you summarize the current approaches in teaching a person with a learning disability
    you contrast the resource room concept from the self-contained classroom
    you explain the relationship between behavior problems and academic performance
    you outline the major issues and concerns affecting educational services for culturally diverse students with disabilities

  8. Demonstrate practical skills for working effectively with exceptional individuals.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion through quiz questions
    through simulation on visual impairments
    through class demonstrations
    through reflection assignments relating to community speakers
    Criteria
    you outline the techniques for daily management of a person with cerebral palsy
    you demonstrate the procedures for monitoring an epileptic seizure
    you describe special modifications for persons with physical impairments
    you summarize the techniques of behavior modification
    you outline teaching techniques for individuals with behavior disorders
    you demonstrate techniques used in orientation and mobility for people with visual impairments
    you demonstrate correct sighted-guide techniques
    you describe issues related to Deaf culture, ASL, and myths about hearing loss

  9. Assess the impact of a person with disability on the family at each life stage.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    Criteria
    you describe the impact of a person with a disability on parents and family

  10. Recommend efforts that could be made toward the prevention of disabilities
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    Criteria
    you discuss preventive strategies for cognitive disabilities
    you discuss influences on the stages of healthy emotional growth

  11. Predict the future challenges in the field of exceptional education.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    through observation report
    Criteria
    you assess the strides that have been made in the field of exceptional education
    you construct a list of future needs in this area
    you appraises what barriers might be faced in meeting these needs

  12. Assess the importance of attitude in dealing with exceptionalities.
    Assessment Strategies
    through class discussion
    through quiz questions
    through observation report
    through interaction with community speakers
    Criteria
    you evaluate the impact of societal attitudes on the life of a person with special needs
    you analyze instructional attitudes shown in exceptional classrooms