Special Education Assistant program

Program Courses

Learning Adaptations
The purpose of the Learning Adaptations Course is to provide students with a general understanding and awareness of the brain and various types of teaching and learning strategies, focusing on the brain and how learning is developed. Students will develop awareness for their own individual learning style; this will provide students with opportunities to explore various teaching and learning strategies used in classroom settings.

Life Span Development
Human development will be explored from birth to late childhood and from adolescence to early adulthood. You’ll be guided through a brief, but intense, theoretical examination of the concepts and principles of human development, change, and diversity. Special emphasis will be placed on childhood and adolescent development issues in relation to learning, growth, and maturation. The biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional characteristics of development will be reviewed in each stage of growth. This course will focus on assisting you to develop awareness of the characteristics of children and adolescents at their various stages of development, and acquiring the skills for maintaining health and safety in a school environment.

Disabilities in Childhood
It is vital to have a clear understanding of developmental and other disabilities in childhood, and developmental disorders commonly found in the community. You’ll learn about the various characteristics of disabling conditions, the history and philosophy of support, and associated theoretical, social, and ideological models. Emphasis will be placed on developing ethical and professional approaches to care. You will gain skills to help you understand, respect, and promote the self-determination of individuals with learning needs and developmental disabilities.

Topics will include a focus on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and FASD Spectrum, as well as other conditions. In addition, you’ll learn about classification and diagnostic processes, etiology, symptoms, epidemiology, and treatment approaches for major developmental disabilities.

Observation and Recording
The purpose of this course is to provide you with a general understanding of the theory of observing and recording. In a classroom setting you’ll learn about the purpose, standards, influences, and methods used. You’ll develop an awareness of ethical and professional conduct through understanding the importance of confidentiality and an individual’s right to privacy. You’ll focus on the general characteristics of each recording method and apply your knowledge through group work focusing on classroom-based case studies. There will also be an opportunity for you to apply general observation principles and recording methods outside of the classroom setting.

Alternative and Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology
The purpose of the Communication and Assistive Technology in the Classroom course is to provide SEA students with an understanding of augmentative and alternative ways to communicate focusing on defining, implementing, and enhancing communication using alternative methods used in a classroom setting that support or replace typical communication. Students will further develop their communication skills and understanding of aided and unaided communication methods through participation in the American Sign Language Workshop. Students will focus on the general characteristics of each communication method and apply their knowledge through group work focusing on case studies. This course will increase student awareness of assistive technologies as used by school children with special needs. Students will discover the evolution of technology in the classroom and explore where technology is heading. Students will also gain awareness of Special Education Technology BC (SET BC), its role in the school system, and the various assistive technologies used by students.


Communication and Diversity in Family Systems
The Communication and Diversity course will provide you with the opportunity to examine your own values, beliefs, attitudes, and tolerance levels in relation to your role in supporting and assisting special education students. It will focus on theoretical and practical communication strategies, such as interviewing and feedback skills, to promote effective communication between yourself, students, and co-workers in the school environment. You will be encouraged to gain awareness of your own communication style and the challenges that other communication styles may pose. Coursework will also cover building healthy relationships and understanding child abuse, with an emphasis being placed on inclusive education within the school environment.

Career Search Strategies
This course is offered in combined online and classroom delivery format. Students learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. Students are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter and interview skills.

Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (POPARD)
Completion of this course provides the participant an overview of ABA history and theory, but the emphasis will be on practical hands-on coaching and training. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a comfort level with teaching in a Discrete Trial Format by having daily opportunities to practice the necessary skills. They will also see how ABA principles are applied to other teaching situations and to program development for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Participants should have previous autism training, or extensive experience with autistic students, since there will not be time for a detailed overview of the spectrum itself.

Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis (POPARD)
The focus of the training program is participant practical hands-on training through instructor demonstration and coaching and application exercises of critical elements in teaching students with autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The course structure involves presentation of information/concept(s) along with video(s) when applicable, immediately followed by demonstration and opportunities for the participant to apply the concept(s) through active participation and coaching from the instructor.

Applied Behaviour Analysis
The Applied Behaviour Analysis course seeks to provide students with a conceptual framework in which to assess, document, and respond to the behaviour of the students they will support in educational settings. A variety of contemporary approaches such as Lovaasian Applied Behaviour Analysis, Sensory Integration Therapy, Functional Analysis, and Operant Learning Theory will be discussed. The students will review and practically apply concepts such as Discrete Trial Teaching and Content/Process Task Analysis as learning activities in the classroom setting using case studies provided by the Ministry of Education. The focus of this course will be to move students beyond an introductory level and to advance them in the practical area of addressing behavioural issues.

Working in Canadian Schools
You’ll explore the typical roles, duties, responsibilities, and practices of Special Education Assistants within school communities. Team approaches will be considered for enhancing your understanding of the school experience. Emphasis will be placed on a variety of educational settings, programs, and relationships that Special Education Assistants typically encounter.

Personal Care
In this course, you’ll integrate the theory and practice of providing personal care for students with physical and developmental disabilities. You’ll learn and practice care skills related to conditions such as asthma, type I and type II diabetes, and various disorders in a laboratory setting. This course will include personal hygiene, oral care, assisting with bathroom routines, and proper body mechanics for lifting and transferring.

Consolidated Practice Experience
The consolidated practice experience will provide you with the opportunity to apply your learned theory and practical skills in elementary and secondary school settings. Making connections between theory and practice is a vital aspect of learning; self-reflection and self-evaluation are important skills for continued professional growth and development. In addition to working in a school setting, you will post weekly entries in response to specific discussion topics on an online discussion forum. This online forum communication will provide an opportunity for critical reflection, thoughtful peer interaction and ongoing supervision by an assigned Stenberg College Forum Facilitator.

Career Search Strategies
This course is offered in a combined online and classroom delivery format. In the guided online sessions, students learn to network effectively, prepare targeted resumes and cover letters, and follow up in their job search. In the instructor-led session, students are provided with a personalized critique of their resume, cover letter, and online profiles and are also given the opportunity to practice and perfect interview skills.

Additional Certification
The program also includes essential industry-related training and certification in:

POPARD Training – Certificates of Course Participation
HR Departments from multiple school boards have confirmed that applicants with the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD) training and certification are favored for hiring. Furthermore, eligibility for internal postings will often rely on this training and certification (2 POPARD courses offered in this program: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders & Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis).

CPR-HCP-AED
You'll receive Red Cross First Aid Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Health Care Provider (HCP) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED). This industry standard certification is valid for three years.

Managing Hostile Interactions
Hostile incidents are clearly on the increase in society today and more people find themselves presented with personally hurtful, intimidating hostile behaviour. Dealing effectively with hostile individuals takes energy and the careful application of a specific range of skills. In this certificate course, students will learn to manage themselves, defuse the person, and then address the problem.

SET-BC – Certificate of Course Participation
Students will complete 25 hours of training in assistive technology from SET-BC. During this training, students will be given an overview of assistive technology, and examine how assistive technology can be effectively implemented in the classroom. Students will also have the opportunity to use various types of technology that support participation, communication,and learning in school environments during a hands-on lab.

Personal & Professional Development Skills Certificate
Responding carefully to the needs of today’s employers, a series of Personal and Professional Development Workshops have been integrated throughout the program to develop critical thinking and soft skills. Workshops include Giving and Receiving Feedback, Conflict Resolutions, Active Listening, Providing Quality Service and Building Rapport, Leadership, and Employability Skills.

Body Mechanics & Back Safety
You will be educated in proper body movement to prevent and correct poor posture, reduce stress on ligaments, joints and tendons and enhance physical capabilities. Proper body mechanics and back safety will enhance the longevity and success in the workplace and will help ensure that transfers and positioning are done in a manner that is safe and appropriate for everyone. Please note: While this training follows best practices, graduates may also be required to learn and follow workplace specific protocols.

American Sign Language (ASL) Fundamentals
This twelve-hour workshop introduces American Sign Language and the Dear or Hard of Hearing Community and provides you with the historical perspectives and evaluation of both. You'll learn how to fingerspell the alphabet, perfect the signing of your name and progress in your signing skills through dialogue practice and performance. To receive the certificate for this training, there is testing to conform basic receptive skills, signing skills, knowledge of ASL and the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Community.

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Over 92% of our graduates are working in their field of study within 6 months of graduation

2012 - 2013 2011 - 2012 2010 - 2011

Special Education Assistant
BC Ministry of Education
BC Teacher's Federation
Education Canada
Educator's Reference Desk

"This practicum was invaluable because it prepared me for the reality of the profession. I'm proud to be a Stenberg grad."
Jennifer C.