Exploring Exceptionalities

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
CCSD 1170
Descriptive
Exploring Exceptionalities
Department
Classroom & Community Support
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
1.50
Start Date
End Term
201610
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
Flexible delivery ranging over 2 to 15 weeks
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
30 hours
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Learning Activities
  • Lecture
  • Small Group Work
  • Student Presentations
  • Online

 

Course Description
In this survey course, students will investigate a variety of disability classification systems and the developmental characteristics of persons with exceptionalities. This includes an examination of the etiology, diagnosis and other implications of developmental disabilities.
Course Content

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

  • Individuals with disabilities are unique, though they may carry a label of disability.
  • Effective practitioners have an awareness of disability classification and funding systems and use this knowledge as a tool of support.
  • Effective practitioners are aware of typical characteristics of a variety of disability types and how that might affect support
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

 

1. Explain various disability classification systems as they relate to disability definitions, assessment and diagnosis

- Investigate terminology used in disability classifications systems

- Consider the historical progression of disability classification systems

- Define disability in the Canadian context

- Compare and contrast the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) with other classification and assessment models, e.g. AAIDD, ICD, ICF, DM-ID, RTI

 

2. Describe characteristics of a variety of mental and physical disability labels

- Examine the etiology, prevalence and incidence of various major disability labels

- Compare and contrast types of disability, i.e. cognitive versus physical; invisible versus visible; acquired versus development; progressives versus intermittent versus stable

- Consider the additional complexities of dual  (multiple) diagnosis

- Keep in mind that a disability is what someone has, not what someone is and that knowledge about a disability type is only a single tool in supporting an individual who has a disability

 

3. Explore the eligibility to funding for typical support and treatment services for several disability labels.

- Describe the assessment process for several exceptionalities, such as ASD, FASD, mental illnesses, intellectual disability

- Describe the funding eligibility and process for several exceptionalities, such as ASD, FASD, mental illness and intellectual disability.

Means of Assessment

This is a letter graded course

  • Quizzes
  • Group Presentations
  • Case Study
  • Research paper

 

Textbook Materials

T.B.A.

Which Prerequisite