Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to:
1. Describe the features of gesture and sign in early language and communication;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role that interactive use of gestural communication plays in early language and cognitive development of young children;
3. Summarise the theoretical perspectives on bilingual/bimodal approaches in early childhood intervention and education; and
4. Demonstrate a range of strategies to support families in their early use of gesture and signed communication with young D/HH children.

Topics will include:
- Review of early neurological, perceptual and communication development;
- Gesture in parent-young child communication;
- Consideration of case studies: Children in deaf and/or hearing family environments;
- Family perspectives on alternative communication approaches;
- Social correlates of using sign with D/HH young children;
- Review of research on "baby sign" for hearing infants;
- Review of research on sign-supported oral language development;
- Supporting families who chose bilingual/bimodal communication;
- Reading to babies who are D/HH: strategies to introduce signed communication/ language;
- Design of early education programs using sign bilingual approaches; current models in early intervention;
- Fostering bilingual/bimodal approaches in multidiscipinary teams; and
- Resources for professionals and parents;
- Using bimodal communication with deaf children with other needs

Nil

Nil

0

All core courses in MSpecEd (D/HH) or demonstrated equivalent.

Distance Learning : IT Based

Lecture
Experience Based Learning
Self Directed Learning

Lecture: for 18 hour(s) per Term for Full Term
Self Directed Learning: for 9 hour(s) per Week for 13 weeks