[ Early Childhood Special Education ]

Course Offerings

2009-2010

MEC 500 History and Theory of Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention, and Early Childhood Special Education
The focus is on the historical and philosophical developments in the care and education of typical and atypical children from  birth through eight. The legal basis of services for young children and current social issues and legislation are studied.  Students are introduced to the range of children served and services provided in a variety of settings. Includes clinical  component.

MEC 502 Early Childhood Speech and Language Development
The focus is on the developmental sequence of language acquisition. Origins and characteristics of atypical language  development, diagnosis procedures, and intervention of language disorders in young children are studied.

MEC 505 Typical and Atypical Development of Infants and Toddlers
Major theories of psychosocial development are presented. Personality is traced from birth through age three. Sensorimotor developmental patterns are presented. The interrelated nature of development and the characteristics of and influence of  disabilities and risk factors on development are studied. Clinical component.

MEC 511 Working with Families of Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
Theories of interpersonal relationships, parenthood as a developmental process, and cultural influences on child rearing are  included. Family-centered service, planning, problem solving, and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) are studied.  Clinical component.

MEC 515 Observation and Assessment of Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
A developmental approach to observation and assessment of typical and atypical infants/toddlers is highlighted. Students  focus on underlying developmental processes in cognitive, language, motor, or social/emotional development. Students  learn to assess strengths as well as needs. Selected screening and assessment tools are examined. The involvement of  families in assessment and collaborative goal setting is stressed. Clinical component.

MEC 520 Early Intervention Methods and Team Practices
The focus is on philosophy, goals, and clinical approaches of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. Family-focused intervention practices and medical aspects are included. The development of  collaborative team processes among professionals and families and the implementation of the IFSP are investigated.

MEC 525 Field Experience in Early Intervention
Includes a 7-session family-mentor seminar.

MEC 526 Field Experience in Early Childhood Special Education
Includes a 7-session family-mentor seminar.

MEC 540 Practicum and Seminar in Early Intervention
This practicum provides a 250-hour supervised experience in early intervention programs and services for infants and  toddlers with developmental delays and handicapping conditions and their families. A supportive, collegial seminar designed  to foster self-reflection and professionalism is regularly scheduled.

MEC 550 Typical and Atypical Development of Preschoolers and Primary Children
The developmental tasks of the preschool and school-age child are the focus of this course. Development in physical,  motor, and sensory domains; psychosocial dimensions and health issues are presented. The impact of a disability upon  development, the family system, and implications for educational programming are studied. The range of individual  differences and disabilities is presented. Clinical component.

MEC 555 Child, Family, and Community Relationships
The interdependence of culture, family, and child is a focus of this course. The impact of children with special needs upon  families is discussed. Planning family-focused interventions and developing strategies for working collaboratively with  parents in a variety of settings is examined. Clinical component.

MEC 560 Observation and Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs
A developmental approach to observation and assessment of young children. Students assess children’s strengths and needs as they study uses and limitations of tests and diagnostic approaches. Observation strategies and instruments used  will center on the individuality of the child, his/her growth, trends, and development. Practical applications for identification,  placement, program planning, and development are examined. Clinical component.

MEC 565 Early Childhood Special Education Methods and Team Practices
This course focuses on inclusion practices, curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation for young children.  Transition strategies are investigated. It includes play and developmentally and individually appropriate practices.  Debilitating medical conditions and management and the uses of adaptive and assistive technology are examined. The  development of collaborative team processes among professionals and families and the implementation of the IFSP and  Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) are investigated. Clinical component.

MEC 570 Practicum and Seminar in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
This practicum provides supervised experiences in sites offering programs for infants and toddlers, and preschool children  with special needs. A supportive, collegial seminar designed to foster self-reflection and professionalism is regularly  scheduled.

MEC 590 Research in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
Designed to provide an understanding of different approaches to research and the application of research to practice.  Significant works of research in the field will be examined and discussed. Students will design a research study or write a  paper.

MEC 595 Statistics
Statistical methods applied to economic and social data. Descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing,  confidence intervals, correlation, and regression. The uses of statistical methods and presentation of data in early childhood  special education research will be examined.