YOUTH SPECIAL NEEDS FITNESS
C OURSE S YLLABUS
Y OUTH S PECIAL N EEDS F ITNESS
C OURSE T ITLE :
Youth Special Needs Fitness
D ESCRIPTION :
The professional will explore and examine the scientific foundations and practical skills
associated with the area of youth special needs fitness training. The professional will also
learn to practically apply these principles in a sound and developmentally appropriate manner
that will enhance client movement efficiency and aptitude while preventing injury and
fostering a love for physical activity.
C ONTINUING E DUCATION U NIT (CEU) V ALUE :
Successful completion of this course is worth SIX (6) CEUs and may be applied toward any
IYCA certification.
C OMPETENCIES /O BJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, the professional should be able to:
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Describe and discuss the basic information pertinent to working with special needs
children
Describe and discuss concepts such as the functional profile and best practices are
used to build and refine pedagogical practice
Understand the components of sound coaching practice and the importance of
quality teaching in the coaching process
Detail and discuss the influences of physical and cognitive development prevalent in
special needs children
Develop sound teaching practice using contemporary teaching and coaching
practices
Be able to effectively develop a teaching program to meet the unique demands of the
special needs child
C OURSE T OOLS
Course Manual
The course manual will serve as one of the primary tools utilized in the course. Answers
applicable to all questions for the course final exam may be found either explicitly or implicitly
in the course manual.
S-2 | Course Syllabus
Y OUTH S PECIAL N EEDS F ITNESS
Course Video
A course video is also provided. The video provides practical examples of the teaching
techniques and other aspects of training special needs children. For ease of use,
corresponding time keys of video depictions of concepts discussed within the manual have
been provided.
R ESEARCH B ASE
References
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Chessen, E. & Brown, K. (2010). Youth Special Needs Fitness. Louisville, Kentucky:
International Youth Conditioning Association.
Chessen, E. & Brown, K. (2010). Youth Special Needs Fitness Video. Louisville, Kentucky:
International Youth Conditioning Association.
E XAMINATION
Exam & Content
The examination for this course is comprehensive in nature and consists of 50 multiple
choice/true false questions derived from the course materials. The exam is housed on-line and in
order to successfully complete the course, participants must earn a 70% or better on the exam
(35/50).
The examination has been constructed around the primary units for the course and is weighted
as follows:
 Special needs fundamentals: 6 questions
 Functional profile: 5 questions
 Best practices: 5 questions
 Teaching techniques, considerations, & strategies: 14 questions
 Physical considerations, movement skills, & assessment: 6 questions
 Teaching methods: 14 questions
Upon completion of the examination, the testing system utilized by the IYCA will provide a unit-specific
performance report but NOT an answer key. Participants will be able to determine their performance
generally in each of the above listed six units, but not the answers to specific questions.
The IYCA is committed to the continual improvement of all IYCA course/certification content and
assessment tools. All IYCA-branded educational programming has been produced by recognized experts
in the field, subjected to rigorous review and revision by independent evaluators and other content matter
experts, and routinely revisited to ensure quality and accuracy. While we welcome your feedback
regarding any and all IYCA content and assessment tools, it is against IYCA policy to provide information
of any type, including guidance, clarification, or any other data or feedback regarding any
examination/certification question or questions. Rest assured that the IYCA is committed to ensuring high
quality, cutting edge content and academic integrity.
S-3 | Course Syllabus
Y OUTH S PECIAL N EEDS F ITNESS
S UGGESTED P LAN OF S TUDY
Unit
Topics/Activities
Readings/Assignments
1
Special Needs: A Primer
Pages 6-17
2
Functional Profile
Pages 18-20
3
Best Practices
Pages 21-22
4
Teaching Strategy
Pages 23-27
5
Movement Skills
Pages 38-39
6
Teaching Considerations
Pages 40-43
7
Physical Considerations
Pages 44-47
8
Assessment
Pages 48-49
9
Teaching Methodology
Pages 50-63
10
Case Studies & Practical
Pages 64-76
11
Exam
S-4 | Course Syllabus