Lonestar Community College-Cyfair
TECA 1354-Child Development
Special Populations Research Paper-Guide
This paper should reflect many of the different aspects of special populations and special
education that we have discussed this semester. Reflect on the current topics that
challenge professionals in child development disciplines today. We have discussed,
debated and read information related to several topics that spark controversy and dispute
in the special education field. This information encourages and demands that educators
(beginning while students of teacher education) remain reflective practitioners throughout
their careers.
You are expected to individually meet with a campus tutor during your writing process to
go over your grammar and structure. The tutoring center is located on the second floor of
the library.
Tutor’s signature ______________________________________________
When preparing and writing this paper, keep the following focus questions in mind.
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What research topics do you find meaningful and interesting? Which one would
you like to write about?
What is the history of your topic?
o Why is/has your topic historically been discussed and/or debated?
o What changes have been made over time that has increased public
awareness of your topic? Why?
 Changes in technology?
o What laws and/or regulations have been made regarding your topic, if
any? Why?
Within your topic, are communities split on what are the best ways to approach
your topic in reference to special education?
o Do you align with more than one (or both) or neither?
 Which ones?
 Why?
What knowledge do you hold about your topic?
o Where do they come from?
 Why?
How will knowledge and information about your topic help you in the future?
o Why?
The following are topic suggestions that may help provide an idea of what you would like
to write about. You may certainly feel free to choose your own topic, but please run it
by me. These topics reflect discussions, debates, textbook readings and notes that we
have discussed or will discuss further throughout the course of this class.
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Asperger Syndrome
Assistive Technology
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Behavioral Disorders
Blindness and Low Vision
Braile
Cerebral Palsy
Cochlear Implants
Communication Disorders
Community Based Instruction (Vocational Instruction)
Cued Speech
Cystic Fibrosis
Deaf-Blindness
Deafness and Hard of Hearing
Depression in Children
Down’s Syndrome
Education Programs (Hospital, Home, Center, Combined Home-Center, Family)
Emotional Disorders
Epilepsy
Explicit and Implicit Instruction for Special Populations
Facilitated Communication
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
Fragile X Syndrome
Gifted and Talented Education
Hearing Aids
Inclusion
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Individuals Education Program (IEP)
Intellectual Disabilities
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) Tests
Labeling Children with Special Needs
Learning Disabilities
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Mainstreaming and Full Inclusion
Manually Coded English
Naturalistic Teaching Strategies
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
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Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Parents of Exceptional Children
Physical Disabilities
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Profound Disabilities
Residential Alternatives for Adults
Rett Syndrome
Schizophrenia in Children
Secretin Therapy
Severe Disabilities
Sign Language
Spina Bifida
Stuttering
Technology Dependant Students
Tourette Syndrome