Name of Module: Understanding Young Children With Special Needs

Module Code: CDP 103

Module Objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of issues in exceptional development and learning of young children;
2. Identify behavioral and developmental characteristics presented by children with specific disabilities or special
abilities;
3. Understand the needs of, and provide support for the parents and families of young children with disabilities or
special abilities;
4. Identify principles and practices related to the planning and implementation of educational / care-giving programs
for young children;
5. Demonstrate knowledge of support services and programs relevant to young children with special needs in
Malaysia;
6. Demonstrate skill in presenting and expressing ideas in an organized, clear and literate manner.
Credit Value: 3
Module outcomes:
At the end of the module the students demonstrate an ability to:-
1. Understand the issues in the exceptional development; identify behavioral and developmental characteristics of
young children.
2. Understand and use screening tools for identification of children with special needs.
3. Work with, understand the needs and provide support to the parents and families.
4. Identify principles and practices related to the planning and implementation of educational/care-giving
programmes.
5. Provide support services and programs relevant to young children with special needs.
6. Present and express ideas in an organized, clear and literate manner.
Synopsis:
In this module, students are prepared to manage some of the dimensions of the learning needs of children with a
variety of learning and other disabilities. Students will also be introduced to notions of professional conduct in
observing and teaching diverse learners, and to understanding the limitations of their own experiences and abilities
so that they are competent in referring children with special needs to specialist personnel, and for working in
collaboration with such personnel in delivering effective learning programs for all children with special needs.

Assessment Methods and Types (allocation of % proposed by MQA)

Examination 40%
Assignment 60%
Tutorial / Total
No Topic Lecture Independent
Visits (Hours)
Foundations of EC Special Education
 Introduction to Special needs
1  History of special needs
 Role of parents, teachers and child
 Role of government
Intellectual disability
 Causes
 Prevention
2
 Types
 Educating children with intellectual disability.
 Managing children with intellectual disability.
 Gifted Children
 Genetics and environment factors
3
 Characteristics
 Educating and managing
Children with learning disabilities.
 Types
 Characteristics.
4
 Causes
 Educating children with learning disabilities
 Managing children with learning disabilities
Emotional and Behavior Disorders
 Causes
 Characteristics
5
 Educating
 Managing
 Comprehensive approach.
Children with Language and Communication
disorders.
 Causes
6  Types
 Educating
 Managing
 Sign language
Children with physical impairments
 Hearing impaired children
7  Visually impaired children
 Physical disabilities and children
 Multiple disabilities.
Visit to a Special Needs Centre. To observe;
understand and also assist in managing special
children. Presentation of a project paper based
8
on the work done at the centre is to be included.
Students need to obtain hands on experience in
working with special children.
Services and Programs for children with special
needs
 Different types of services and programs
9 available (local & overseas)
 Resources for families of children with
special needs (local & overseas)
 Inclusive Education

10 Presentation

Total
 Smith, D.D. & Tyler, N.C. (2010) Introduction to Special
th
Education: Making a Difference. (7 Ed.) Pearson
Education, USA.
Main References
Hallahan, D.P. & Kauffman, J.M. (2006) Exceptional
th
Learners: Introduction to Special Education,(10 Ed.)
Pearson Education, Boston, U.S.A.
Smith, E.C., Polloway, E.A., Patton, J.R. & Dowdy, C.A.
Additional references Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive
Settings (2012), Pearson Education Inc. Boston, USA.