This minor is designed for people planning to work with and for people with disabilities/disabled people in non-school settings. It's a great option for anyone, but especially Winthrop students in the following majors:
Students interested in the Disability Services Minor take 16-18 credit hours comprising three required courses, two elective courses, and a practicum.
Introduction to Special and Gifted Education covers the foundations of students with exceptional education needs, including theoretical, legal, and ethical considerations of special and gifted education. Characteristics of students with high- and low-incidence disabilities and students with gifts and talents are explored as well as evidence-based strategies for addressing their unique needs in classroom settings. This course is offered each fall and spring, and occasional summers.
Characteristics of Students with Disabilities is an online course which examines characteristics of students with special needs and differentiated instruction in schools and classrooms. Participants review the legal foundations and requirements of special education, characteristics of each disability category as defined by IDEA, and the collaborative role of general and special educators in the implementation of individualized instructional programs. This course is offered each fall and occasional summers.
Consultation and Collaboration in Special and General Education focuses on effective collaboration and consultation skills required to enable candidates to address the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities across settings. This course is offered each spring.
Disability Services Practicum serves as a 1-credit hour capstone for the minor. Students with complete field hours working with and for individuals with disabilities/disabled individuals in a variety of settings. Settings may include, but are not limited to, healthcare facilities, behavioral health clinics, adult enrichment centers, vocational rehabilitation, childcare centers, or WinthropLIFE.
Disability Services minors choose from two of the following courses. Students may request substitutions as appropriate, in conversation with Dr. Clausen.
Early Intervention for Young Children is recommended for Disability Services minors who are interested in working with young children with disabilities. This course includes a study of the characteristics of young children with special needs, birth to age three service delivery models, and school-based service delivery models, as well as a student of Response to Intervention models for K-2 settings.
Assessment and Instruction for Young Children with Disabilities focuses on the techniques and issues involved in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing robust and holistic assessment data for developing and monitoring individualized family service plans (IFSPs) and/or individualized education programs (IEPs) for preschool children with disabilities in today's culturally and linguistically diverse home, school, and community environments. This course is offered each spring.
Foundations of Early Childhood Education provides a study of the early childhood profession, including ethics, early models (birth-age 8), child care centers, Head Start, and other preschool facilities, state and federal regulations, historical and societal changes, and contemporary trends.
Parenting Throughout the Lifespan is recommended for Disability Services minors who are interested in working with family members of children with disabilities. This course focuses on concepts, principles, and current research findings applied to the study of growth and development from conception through death in the context of parenting. This course is typically offered in fall semesters.
Families& Children: Policies & Services is recommended for Disability Services minors who are interested in working with family members of children with disabilities. This course provides an overview of the history of child welfare policies and services in the United States, a critical assessment of how values influence the development of policies and the provision of services to children, and provides a framework for evaluating child welfare policies and practices within the NASW Code of Ethics framework. This course is restricted to students with junior or higher status.
Intellectual Disability and Autism: Characteristics and Needs is recommended for Disability Services minors who plan to work with individuals with complex support needs. The course provides an in-depth study of the characteristics of individuals with intellectual disability and autism, including but not limited to etiology, learning and behavioral characteristics, and contemporary services and instructional models in educational and community settings. This course is offered each spring.
Special Topics in Education: WinthropLIFE is restricted to lead mentors with WinthropLIFE. Disability Services minors who take this course are not required to take SPED 498: Disability Services Practicum. Interested students should contact WinthropLIFE for more information.