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2025-2026 College Catalog

TPS 222 - Understanding Students with Disabilities

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Framework for understanding and working with learners with mild-moderate disabilities. Includes characteristics and development of learners with mild-moderate disabilities and special education procedures and processes. Also includes effective educational techniques and collaboration and consultation practices.

Information: Teacher Education Program approval required before enrolling in this course. 
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify critical needs of students with exceptional needs
  2. Analyze important aspects of the identification process
  3. Apply characteristics of students with exceptional needs to make appropriate educational decisions
  4. Utilize effective communication and collaboration strategies
  5. Create programs and plans for individuals with exceptional needs
Outline:
  1. Perspectives on Exceptional Education
    1. History 
    2. Classification Issues & Labeling
    3. Trends
  2. Critical Needs of Students with Disabilities
    1. Cognitive & Perceptual Characteristics
      1. Constructivist Perspectives
      2. Cognitive Styles 
      3. Information Processing Theory
    2. Academic Learning Characteristics
      1. Motivation
      2. Learning Styles
      3. Accommodations
      4. Modifications
      5. Assistive Technology
    3. Social–Emotional Characteristics
      1. Development
      2. Relationship Between Problems in Behavior & Problems in Learning
  3. Identification
    1. Process & Criteria Issues
    2. Disproportionate Representation in Special Education
    3. Response to Intervention (RTI)
  4. Learners with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
    1. Assessment
    2. Prevalence
    3. Characteristics
  5. Learners with Learning Disabilities
    1. Assessment
    2. Prevalence
    3. Characteristics
  6. Learners with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
    1. Assessment
    2. Prevalence
    3. Characteristics
  7. Learners with Difficulties in Attention, Communication, and Physical & Sensory Functioning
    1. Assessment
    2. Prevalence
    3. Characteristics
  8. Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders
    1. Assessment
    2. Prevalence
    3. Characteristics
  9. Language Characteristics
    1. Impairments in Speech & Language
    2. Language Functions
    3. Implications for Thinking & Learning
  10. Communication & Collaboration
    1. Parents
    2. School Personnel  
  11. Programming & Placement Planning
    1. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    2. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
    3. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
    4. Service Delivery Models
    5. Transition Plans