This course helps students understand more about children with special needs. It introduces the definitions, causes, characteristic and categories of the disabilities in early childhood. The content will also cover instructional theories, principles and tactics, assistance methods, IEP and programme planning, assessment for children with special needs, and positive attitude. Through this course, students will be able to help these children more effectively with early intervention or special education programmes to assist their potential developments. In addition, students will be taught how to make use of the pre-school and school-age special education measures and services in Macao in order to help those children and their families, and they will understand the effects and importance of parents’ and professional teams’ participation in the education of children who have special needs.

CILO-1: Describe the characteristics of students with special educational needs (SEN). CILO-2: Identify suitable approaches to improve academic and functional skills of students with SEN. CILO-3: Critically summarize and explain SEN cases, identify and justify strategies that help meet individual needs.