Teaching Students with Special Needs in the Mainstream Classroom

(Grades K-6) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 23T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41528

Course Description

Does your classroom population include students with special needs and are you left wondering how to help them? This online course teaches K-6 teachers how to address students with special needs in the general classroom. The course begins by providing a clear definition and scope of special needs. Then, the course provides information about teacher involvement in the special education process in terms of assessment, intervention, and collaboration. A variety of suggestions for working with students who have special needs such as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory impairments, and low-incidence disabilities are provided. Also included are strategies to assist English language learners, students who are considered at-risk, and gifted and talented students. Each special need is defined, and common causes and characteristics are identified, along with suggested instructional strategies. Intervention strategies and classroom adaptations are also provided to help teachers accommodate students with special needs in an inclusive classroom. By the end of this course, teachers will feel more confident in their quest to better prepare their students with special needs in the mainstream classroom. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on university credit, click here.

"Excellent course! The content is very beneficial and inspires you to try new things. Thank you for offering this level of quality learning and instruction for busy teachers." - Lucy Allen