Singapore University of Social Sciences

The disciplines of medicine and psychology have played significant roles in the theory and practice of special education. SPE103 Special Educational Needs in its Diversity examines the conceptions of Special Educational Needs, the recognition of individual differences, needs and interests in the context of educational provision. It explores the processes for identifying and assessing children with Special Educational Needs and the implications that they have for the placement of the children, as well as the dilemma involved in determining the threshold for resource allocation. The course highlights the need for a code of practice that details the guidance essential for formal actions to be taken by the multiple disciplines working with the child with Special Educational Needs and his family. Systems of classification of Special Educational Needs that have been developed and implemented, and their underlying theoretical rationale and models, are introduced in the course. The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) are examined for their implications for the learning and development of children with Special Educational Needs. It engages participants in reflective thinking about what the implications these classification systems have for Special Education practice.