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Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 15 hours
  • Course by University of Cape Town
  • Offered by

About

This course is about caring for and educating children (and youth) with severe to profound intellectual disability. We use the idea of 'circles' to position the child at the center of the many levels of support needed. Around the child are circles of care and education - such as the parents, family, friends, caregivers, educators, health care workers, and others such as neighbors, business owners, and community members. Each one has an important role to play in the life of a person with an intellectual disability and can be seen as a caregiver and educator. Although this course is aimed particularly at caregivers who work at a special centre or in a private home, each person in the circle of care and education plays a valuable role and will find the course useful. The course covers topics such as intellectual disability, levels of severity of intellectual disability, and the history of intellectual disability. These inform how you can support children and youth with severe to profound intellectual disability so that they can reach their full potential and become participating members of society. We look at lifelong learning by exploring brain development, the learning process, and how to maximise the opportunities for learning. We ask experts about how best learning can be facilitated. This includes looking at children’s learning support needs, how to go about planning activities for the learning programme, as well as how to empower multiple people who work in a team to care and educate children with severe to profound intellectual disability. In the last week, we focus on rights, advocacy and relationships of care. Empowering and caring for caregivers themselves is a key focus of the course. For professional development purposes, you can purchase a Verified Certificate if you wish to show evidence of your achievements, but this is optional, and you can apply for Financial Aid if you are unable to pay the certificate fee.

Modules

Welcome to the course

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Introduce yourself

1 Videos

  • Introduction to the course

3 Readings

  • Our collaborators
  • How the course works
  • Meet the course team

Introduction to week 1

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 1

1 Readings

  • Presenters for week 1

Intellectual disability explained

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Intellectual Disability Quiz

3 Videos

  • Understanding intellectual disability
  • Understanding the impact of intellectual disability
  • Context of intellectual disability

Education for children with severe to profound intellectual disability

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Education for children with severe to profound intellectual disability

3 Videos

  • Understanding learning in intellectual disability
  • Asserting the right to education (Part 1)
  • Facilitating learning as a caregiver

1 Readings

  • Podcast: Asserting the right to education (Part 2)

Activities for the week

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 1: Who is the child with severe to profound intellectual disability?

1 Discussions

  • Weekly reflection

1 Videos

  • Week 1 conclusion

1 Readings

  • Resources

Introduction to week 2

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 2

1 Readings

  • Presenters for week 2

Learning for the child with severe to profound intellectual disability

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Learning for the child with severe to profound intellectual disability

4 Videos

  • Lifelong learning
  • How learning takes place
  • Attitudes to learning
  • Facilitating learning

Factors to consider for learning

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Factors to consider for learning

4 Videos

  • Communication - why is it so important
  • Strategies to facilitate communication
  • Learning context
  • TEDI Research: Lifelong learning

Activities for the week

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 2: Lifelong learning

1 Discussions

  • Weekly reflection

1 Videos

  • Week 2 conclusion

1 Readings

  • Resources

Introduction to week 3

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 3

1 Readings

  • Presenters for week 3

Support needs

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Support needs: An overview
  • Support needs: A caregiver's perspective

Learning throughout the day

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

5 Videos

  • Developing a learning programme
  • Planning daily programmes with structure and routine
  • Engaging the child in learning
  • Working with children in groups
  • Learning opportunities: A caregiver's perspective

1 Readings

  • Daily programme templates

Empowering the team to support learning

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Building relationships of care and education
  • Being part of a team: A mother's perspective

Activities for the week

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Adapting a daily programme for a child

1 Discussions

  • Weekly reflection

1 Videos

  • Week 3 conclusion

2 Readings

  • Resources
  • Week 3 conclusion

Introduction to week 4

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Introduction to week 4

1 Readings

  • Presenters for week 4

Caregiver care and relationships

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Caregiver care and relationships

4 Videos

  • Listening to children and developing their voice
  • Ethics of care: Receiving and giving
  • Developing an ethics of care: A parent's perspective
  • Caring for the caregiver

Caregiver empowerment

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Caregiver empowerment

2 Videos

  • TEDI research: Experience of caregivers
  • Voice of inclusion

Activities for the week

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Week 4: Rights, advocacy and relationships of care

1 Discussions

  • Weekly reflection

1 Videos

  • Week 4 conclusion

1 Readings

  • Resources

End of course

    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Readings

  • Survey and further studies
  • Thank you

Resource evaluation

    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Resource critique

Auto Summary

Embark on a comprehensive journey to enhance your understanding and skills in supporting children and youth with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. This engaging course, led by experienced educators and health professionals, places the child at the center of a holistic support network, encompassing parents, family, friends, caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, and community members. Delve into the intricacies of intellectual disabilities, exploring their various levels of severity and historical context. Gain insights into brain development and learning processes to maximize educational opportunities for these children. Learn practical strategies for planning effective learning programs and activities, and discover how to empower a team-based approach to care and education. The course culminates with a focus on rights, advocacy, and nurturing relationships of care, emphasizing the importance of supporting caregivers themselves. Whether you are a professional working in a specialized center or a family member providing care at home, this course offers valuable knowledge and tools to help children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities reach their full potential and actively participate in society. This foundational course is delivered through Coursera and spans 900 hours. Flexible subscription options, including Starter and Professional plans, are available. For those seeking professional development, a Verified Certificate can be obtained, with Financial Aid options for eligible learners. Ideal for caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, and community members, this course empowers you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with intellectual disabilities. Join us and become a vital part of their circle of care and education.

Judith McKenzie
Instructor

Judith McKenzie