Child Development – Special Education Assistant – Occupational Skills Certificate

Top Code:

0809.00

This curriculum is designed to train and place individuals within one year into a special education paraprofessional position in the public or private sector. Individuals will be provided guidance as to what type of setting would most closely match their needs and aptitudes. Settings vary significantly in the age of student served (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary age, secondary age, and adults) and types of disabilities served (acquired brain injury, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, deaf, blind, visually-impaired, severely emotionally disturbed, mobility-impaired, communication disorders, etc.). The sites also differ in their requirements for employment. Employment sites may require a high school diploma, passing of a basic skills and special education concepts test, passing of an oral interview, bilingualism, fluency in sign language, ability to lift 50 pounds, CPR and First-aid training, passing of a TB and fingerprinting test, a driver’s license, a specific amount of experience working with individuals with disabilities, and clerical skills. Students would select electives, as needed, to prepare themselves for job requirements.

An Occupational Skills Certificate is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate through original written and/or oral presentations the ability to identify the theories and practices of the social, emotional, cognitive and physical developmental areas of young children with Special Needs.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of and evaluate the importance of planning an educational program for young children with Special Needs.
  • Compare and contrast the skills necessary in working with and supporting the diverse family and program structures.

Requirements for the Occupational Skills Certificate

Semester I
CHDV 010PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN3
CHDV 030INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS3
Semester II
CHDV 035INTRODUCTION TO CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS3
CHDV 105CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS3
CHDV 122PRACTICUM IN EARLY INTERVENTION/SPECIAL EDUCATION2
CHDV 122FFIELD PRACTICE IN EARLY INTERVENTION/SPECIAL EDUCATION1
Total Units15

Recommended Electives

CHDV 016HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUTRITION3
CHDV 017TEACHING CHILDREN IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY3
CHDV 113HOME VISITING IN EARLY INTERVENTION3
CHDV 114EARLY INTERVENTION3
CHDV 118LANGUAGE AND LITERACY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD3
EDUC 100TUTORING TECHNIQUES1
EDUC 132CURRICULUM FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN3
PSYC 022DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE ADULT3
PSYC 024LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY3