EDUC6160

Supporting communication skills in infants and preschoolers with additional needs

Faculty of Education and Arts School of Education

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Available in 2013

WebLearn GradSchool	Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2011

This course provides students with knowledge about typical and atypical language development including the pre-intentional and intentional non-verbal communication stages. As well as developing knowledge of strategies to promote receptive and expressive language skills, the course also addresses the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems to support the social, linguistic and cognitive development of children who may be at risk for being unintelligible or non-speaking.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to:
1. have knowledge of typical and atypical language development as well as pre-intentional and early intentional communication stages
2. have skills in identifying and responding to pre-intentional and early intentional communication and in extending expressive and receptive language skills
3. have knowledge of the purposes for and types of augmentative and alternative communication systems
4. have skills in implementing augmentative and alternative communication systems
5. have knowledge and skills to support children's social interactions with typically developing peers

Content

Topics will include:
1. Typical and atypical expressive and receptive language development
2. Pre-intentional and early intentional communication
3. Increasing functional communication skills
4. Extending vocalizations and verbal skills
5. Enhancing receptive language
6. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems
7. Promoting interactions with typically developing peers
8. Teaching peers to be effective communication partners

Replacing Course(s)

N/A

Transition

N/A

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

Two years of relevant professional experience and/or a relevant graduate qualification

Modes of Delivery

Distance Learning : IT Based
Distance Learning : Paper Based

Teaching Methods

Email Discussion Group
Individual Supervision

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Assessment Item 1: Functional communication - 30%
Case Scenario/PBL exercises	Assessment Item 2: Increasing communication skills - 30%
Case Scenario/PBL exercises	Assessment Item 3: Social inclusion - 40%

Contact Hours

Self Directed Learning: for 26 hour(s) per Term for Full Term

Compulsory Components

Requisite by Enrolment	Course Pre-Requisites: Bachelor of Education degree, or equivalent, a three year degree and a Diploma of Education, or a Master of Teaching

Timetables