To give students an understanding of a range of special and additional needs and the effects of such on children and their families. To develop the student’s knowledge of best practice and contemporary issues regarding special and additional needs.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Define and discuss a range of special and additonal needs and their effects on children and their families
LO2
Critically discuss the social and medical models of care and evidence of each in Irish service approaches
LO3
Consider the range of approaches to special needs and develop strategies for working with children and their families to best meet their needs
LO4
Critcally evaluate inclusive play and activities in early years settings
LO5
Analyse the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach and critcally evaluate the range of services and the role of other professionals in meeting the needs of the child and family.
LO6
Support parents as the primary caregivers and understand the benefits and approaches for working in partnership with parents.
LO7
Discuss and consider application of relevant legislation and social policies relating to special needs service provision and critically discuss some contemporary issues regarding children with special and additional needs in Irish society
LO8
Reflect upon own experience and practice to higlight and develop good practice in early years settings.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Topic: Special and Additional needs definition and classifications (10%)
• Definitions
• Physical health and development
• Intellectual or cognitive development
• Language and communication
• Emotional and social development
• Complex conditions and syndromes
• Gifted children
Topic: Care and education approaches (30%)
• Social and medical model of care
• Approaches and strategies
• Teaching strategies
o Communication strategies
o IEP Process
o Individual plans
o Use of technology
• Strategies involving play
Topic: Role of other professionals and services (20%)
• The National Council for Special Education
• Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO)
• The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
• State Examinations Commission (SEC)
• Special needs assistants
• Physiotherapy/ speech and language therapists etc
• Medical professionals
• Social workers
• Community care teams etc
Multi disciplinary team work
Partnerships approaches
Topic: working with parents and families (20%)
• Best practice
• Meetings and communications
• Principles of effective partnership
Topic: Contemporary Issues (20%)
• Inclusion; independence; empowerment
• Discrimination
• Advocacy
• Social policy and Legislation
o EPSEN Act 2004
o Disability Act 2005
o UN Convention Rights of the Child
o Irish Constitution
o Aistear
o Siolta
o IPPA & NCCA Ethical Guidelines
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
60.00%
End of Module Formal Examination
40.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Other
Focusing on theoretical; political and legislative issues
7
30.00
n/a
Case Studies
Case study relating to specific disability and development of approaches and strategies
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
30.00
n/a
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Formal Exam
End-of-Semester Final Examination
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
40.00
End-of-Semester
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment