SPED 730

Characteristics, Methods, and Assessment Introduction to Struggling Learners & Students with High-Incidence Disabilities

The course introduces you to the characteristics, assessment and identification process, and initial instructional and behavioral interventions needed in meeting the needs of students with high-incidence disabilities. Specialized services, frameworks for instruction, conceptualizing best practice, and the role of the educator will all be explored. Tiered planning and implementation will be emphasized.

Field Interview Assignment

Interview a teacher, service provider, or administrator who works with individuals with disabilities and holds a role you aspire to or see as inspirational.

Reflection

This reflection explores my personal and professional growth following an interview with a former teacher, highlighting the challenges I observed in implementing inclusive practices like UDL and MTSS. It also outlines my renewed commitment to building a more consistent, supportive framework at my preschool—one that empowers staff through professional development and ensures every child’s unique needs are recognized and met.

IEP Meeting

After reviewing four planning sessions for Jacob’s Annual IEP, analyze the meetings—focusing primarily on the IEP meeting—and how they addressed his unique needs through collaboration and planning.

Reflection

In this reflection, I share how learning about the IEP process deepened my understanding of collaborative, strengths-based approaches to supporting children with diverse needs and inspired me to introduce structured, research-based professional development for my preschool staff to foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Professional Development Resources

Below are links to key professional development resources referenced in the reflections above. These tools—focused on inclusive practices, behavior management, UDL, and MTSS—will serve as the foundation for upcoming staff trainings. They are curated to support our team's continued growth and to help us build a more collaborative, responsive, and strengths-based learning environment for every child in our care.

This module encourages students to explore their own attitudes and beliefs about people with disabilities. It highlights the abilities of individuals with disabilities.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. We do this through advocacy, services, supports, research and innovation, and advances in care for autistic individuals and their families.

This module examines the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and discusses how educators can apply UDL to proactively design learning experiences that are flexible enough to challenge and engage all students and that promote learner agency.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities provides a basic fact sheet on ADHD, with tips for parents and teachers. Symptoms and treatment of ADHD are discussed.

This module overviews the effects of disruptive behaviors as well as important key concepts and foundational practices related to effective classroom behavior management, including cultural influences on behavior, the creation of positive climates and structured classrooms, and much more.