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| Special Education Assistant |
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Program Courses
Learning Adaptations
Brain-based and cooperative learning theories will be presented in this course. You’ll be given opportunities to develop strategies for planning, implementing, and monitoring learning based on individual differences, needs, and abilities. You’ll gain an understanding of learning styles and explore teaching, learning, and adaptation theories relating to teaching methodology. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to make distinctions between individual learning differences for yourself, instructors, and your fellow students. Diversity in the context of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive systems of learning will be explored, with emphasis being placed on inclusive education.
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
You’ll gain an understanding of augmentative (supporting) and alternative (replacing) ways to communicate focusing on defining, implementing, and enhancing communication using new methods in a classroom setting. You’ll further develop your communication skills and understanding of aided and unaided communication methods through participation in an American Sign Language (ASL) workshop and research projects. The focus will be on the general characteristics of each communication method and applying your knowledge through group work focusing on classroom-based case studies.
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.
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders – Practical Applications (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 will provide you with a conceptual framework in which to assess, document, and respond to the behaviour of students you 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. You’ll have the opportunity to apply concepts, such as Discrete Trial Teaching and Content/Process Task Analysis, as learning activities in a 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.
Practicum (Elementary)
This will provide you with the opportunity to apply your learned theory and practical skills in an elementary school setting. You’ll be required to complete a practicum project approved by the onsite supervisor and the practicum monitor, and will be required to meet regularly with both supervisors.
Practicum (Secondary)
With your second practicum, you’ll expand your experience to a secondary or middle school setting. You’ll again be required to complete a practicum project approved by the onsite supervisor and the practicum monitor, and will be required to meet regularly with both supervisors.
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(s)
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.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS trainers provide information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials. Becoming WHMIS certified will demonstrate that you are able to identify hazardous materials and handle them properly.
FOODSAFE Level 1
You'll learn how to prepare food in a way that protects people from injury or illness. Some of the topics covered are food-borne diseases, personal hygiene, and safe procedures for storing.
Non-Violent Conflict Resolution
For your protection, you'll learn how to deal with people who are disruptive or out of control, using verbal techniques for de-escalating conflict and restraint techniques when physical intervention is necessary.
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.
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