LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHILD DEVELOPMENT 44
Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs
Spring 2016
Section # 3196
Wednesday 6:50 pm – 10 pm
CCDS 202
Office Hours: Wednesdays 6 pm – 6:45 pm
Phone 818- 364-7600 ext. 4463
Email; preussC@lamission.edu
Prof: Cristina Preuss, M.A.
Course Description ( 3 units)
This course is designed for students interested in working with young children with special needs
and the families. Instruction focuses on accommodations and adaptations of physical
environment, instructional strategies and curriculum to meet the special needs of children from
birth through preschool.
Student Learning Outcomes
College GE SLO
Assessment Method
Students will design objectives, goals and
strategies for a child and his/her family
that best reflect developmental milestones
and child’s family needs and culture.
Problem Solving
Observation/Exams
Students will create an annotated resource
file of community agencies and programs
offering support to families of children with
special needs.
Written and Oral
Questions/ Current
Events
Resource Presentation
Students will identify eligible categories
For children to receive special education
services
Written and Oral
Communication/
Problem Solving
Research Presentation
Examination
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course students will have an understanding of, or be able to apply, the
following principles and concepts:
1. Identify and discuss the major trends/issues of early intervention services and history of
special education services;
2. Discuss major approaches to prevention of disabling conditions and implications of early
identification;
3. Identify major agencies and community resources for services for children with special
needs;
4. Describe various developmental assessments, parent interviews, and observations in the
child’s natural environment;
5. Analyze underlying causes of disabilities: organic, environmental and the transaction
between the two;
6. Describe and discuss modification and accommodation of curricula and physical
environments to meet the instructional needs of infants, toddlers and preschool age
children with special needs;
7. Understand the legal mandate and understand the development of the Individual Family
Service Plan ( IFSP) and the Individualized Education Plan ( IEP);
8. Identify programs and service options available for children with special needs from 0 to
age 3;
9. Discuss the implications of a child with disabilities on families – using family systems
approach and learn how to advocate for children with special needs and the families;
10. Identify and discuss how to facilitate smooth transitions from Part C to Part B programs
and an overview from preschool to kindergarten programs
11. Identify the common acronyms used to identify students with special needs and services
and programs in special education;
12. Identify and discuss types of disabilities and the implications within the cultural context
of the family;
13. Increase ability to work as member of transdisciplinary team to provide an effective
educational and supportive plan for children.
Attendance:
Los Angeles Mission College attendance policy will be respected. Students will be expected to
attend and participate in each class session. Students with excessive unexcused absences or
tardiness (3 or more) will receive a minus 10 points from final grade. Coming to class late and
leaving early will affect your class participation that is so important to understand material
covered in class. If you cannot attend class for any reason, it is important that you notify
instructor in advance via email or in person. Students are responsible for all material and
information presented during class sessions and for completing all necessary paper work and
assignments.
Always get the name, phone number and email address of one of the students in class to get an
update of what you have missed if you cannot attend a class due to unavoidable circumstances. It
is your responsibility to drop a class if you are no longer able to attend the class.
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PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE TO A
SILENT MODE WHILE IN CLASS.
NO TEXTING IN CLASS OR CHECKING EMAILS WILL BE ALLOWED
WHILE CLASS IS IN SESSION AS THIS WILL DISRUPT YOUR
CLASSMATES.
NO SIDE TALKING DURING CLASS
District Academic Dishonesty Policy:
9803.28 Academic Dishonesty. Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to,
the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment,
paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting
the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s
identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade. Any dishonest behavior will be subject to
disciplinary action.
MANAGEMENT OF STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH:
As a student, not only do you have the pressure of succeeding in school, you may also be
contending with work, financial issues, relationships, managing time effectively, getting enough
sleep, etc. The staff and faculty of Los Angeles Mission College are here to provide support that
will help you to be successful in your academic pursuits. You can learn more about the broad
range of confidential student services offered on campus, including counseling and mental health
services, by either visiting the Student Health Center (SHC), which is currently located in the
Bungalow just west of the Collaborative Studies Building*, checking out the SHC webpage at:
https://www.lamission.edu/healthcenter/ or calling: 818 362-6182.
I also encourage you to enter the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-2738255) into your cell phone in case you or someone you know is in distress and needs someone
with whom to talk.
*Please note that the SHC is slated to move into its new location, between the
President’s Office and Administrative Services, in the spring 2016 semester.”
Text:
Gargiulo, Richard and Kilgo, Jennifer. An Introduction to Young Children with Special Needs..
Cengage Learning Publisher. Fourth Edition. ISBN 13:978-1-133-95925-0
Student resources at LAMC:
LAMC Bookstore: for information call 818-364-7798 or 818-364-7768 or visit:
http://www.lamissionbookstore.com
Counseling Department: for appointments and information call 818-364-7655 or visit:
http://www.lamission.edu/counseling
Disabled Student Programs and Services: for appointments and information call 818-364-7732
or visit: http://www.lamission.edu/dsps
Financial Aid: for information and applications call 818-364-7648 or visit:
http://www.lamission.edu/financialaid
Library: for information call 818-364-7105 or 818-364-7106 or visit:
http://www.lamission.edu/library
Assignments:
Please submit your assignments on time and written in blue or black ink. No pencil please.
Active small and large group participation is important and there will be extra credit assignments
in class. If an assignment is NOT submitted at all, the grade for that assignment will be a 0
(ZERO). No late assignments are accepted. If you will not be able to submit your assignment on
time, it needs to be discussed in advance with your instructor and it should include an
exceptional circumstance for approval.
Students with special learning needs are expected to confer with this instructor to arrange for
possible adaptations of assignments or accommodations. Arrangements must be agreed upon by
student and instructor prior to the due date of first assignment.
Students with special learning needs are expected to confer with instructor to arrange for possible
adaptations of assignments or accommodations. Arrangements must be agreed upon by student
and instructor prior to the due date of first assignment.
Class Assignments and Grading
Scale________
Observation
Midterm exam
Community Resource Binder
Group Research paper and presentation
Final Exam
50 points
100 points
50 points
100 points
100 points
Total
400 points
360-400 points = A
320-359 points = B
280-319 points = C
240-279 points = D
239 and below = F
Description of Assignments
1. Observation Report: (50 points)
Visit a home, daycare program or early intervention program and observe a child ages 0
to 36 months with a developmental delay. Your observation should be no less than 1
hour. Once you take notes regarding all activities and the environment you will write a
report paper with a minimum of 3 pages describing your observations and what you
found positive and negative regarding the environment or activities where the child was
observed. Your report should include:
a) name of program
b) child’s age
c) time and date of observation
d) description of who you observed
e) any adaptations in the setting or in the activities
In order to prepare for your observation, please see guidelines below:
 Prior to your visit, please contact caregiver/program and schedule time and date
of your visit
 If needed, you will be provided with a letter from your instructor requesting
permission to conduct your observation
 When you schedule to visit a school setting, ask if you need to bring proof of TB
clearance
 Call to reschedule your visit if you have a cold or any other infectious illness
 Arrive 5 to 10 minutes earlier than your scheduled visit time in order to make
sure you are on time
 While you are observing, maintain as quiet as possible but stay close to hear and
see what the child is doing. Remember you are an observer.
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Please turn off your cell phone and DO NOT use it while you are
conducting your observation.
Do not discuss any personal details of your observation or the child in or
outside the classroom. The observation is personal and confidential.
When you depart, please remember to thank the individuals who assist you
and allowed you to observe.
2. Midterm Exam: (100 points)
This will be a take home exam and will include all chapters covered in class prior to date
of exam.
3. Community Resource Binder: (50 points)
a) You must locate, visit and obtain flyers/handouts on community agencies that provide
early intervention services for children with special needs. In a binder or 3 punch folder
compile information on a minimum of 10 resources within your local community.
Attached to each handout/flyer, include the “Community Resource form” provided in
this syllabus. Forms must be accurately and fully completed with the information from
your resource. Points will be discounted for each missing form or if information is not
complete.
No handouts will be accepted in the form of print outs from an internet page.
b) Once you compiled these handouts/flyers, you will choose one community resource
and conduct an oral presentation in class for no less than 5 min. including name of
resource, location, services provided, and the agency’s philosophy/mission statement.
4. Group Research Paper and Presentation: (100 points)
a. In groups of 3 to 4 students, you will conduct research on a developmental disability.
The topic will be provided to each group by your instructor. You will need to find
information about the diagnosis, prognosis, services and supports available for children
with the specific disability.
b. Once you have conducted this research in your group, you will write a minimum of a
3-5 page paper describing the information researched and how this has enhanced your
knowledge about the disability.
c. As a group you will conduct an oral presentation for 15- 20 minutes. A copy of your
paper must be presented to the instructor after your presentation.
5. Final Exam: (100 points)
Final Exam will be take home format. Questions will be provided by your instructor one
week before the final date.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Date
Topic/Assignment
Readings
2/10
Introduction/Syllabus
2/17
Foundations of Early Childhood Special Educ.
Chapter 1
2/24
Context of Early Childhood Special Educ.
Chapter 2
3/2
Family Based Early Childhood Special Educ.
Chapter 3
3/9
Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs
Observation Due
Chapter 4
3/16
Delivering Services to Young Children with Special Needs
Chapter 5
3/23
Curriculum for Young Children with Special Needs
Midterm Due
Chapter 6
3/30
Designing Learning Environments
Chapter 7
4/6
SPRING BREAK/ NO CLASS
4/13
Adapting learning Environments
4/4
Resource Presentations
4/27
Intervention and Instructional Strategies
Chapter 9
5/4
Emerging Issues and Contemporary Challenges in ECSE
Chapter 10
5/11
Presentations
5/18
Presentations
5/25
Presentations
6/1
Final Exam
(8 TO 10 PM)
Chapter 8
CHILD DEVELOPMENT 44
COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Name of Organization:
______________________________________________________________________________
Address:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers:
______________________________________________________________________________
E-mail/website Address:
______________________________________________________________________________
Services provided:
______________________________________________________________________________
Age groups served:
______________________________________________________________________________
Languages Spoken:
______________________________________________________________________________
Fee:
______________________________________________________________________________
Agency’s mission statement:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Other Relevant Information:
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________