Training Early Interventionists in Low Incidence Disabilities (September 1996-August 2000). Final Report.

To read the full text of this article, click here: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED462806

This final report summarizes the objectives, activities and outcomes of a federally-funded project that was designed to add an interdisciplinary specialization in multiple disabilities for infants and toddlers to an existing Early Intervention Master of Education/Early Childhood Education Certificate Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Seven modules focusing on conditions and needs of infants/toddlers with multiple disabilities were developed and delivered as one-credit courses. The modules include: (1) vision impairments; (2) hearing impairments; (3) autism; (4) medically fragile conditions; (5) oral-motor/feeding; (6) communication; and (7) positioning, handling and mobility. The grant supported a total of 24 students, 17% of whom were from underrepresented groups. Of the 19 students who finished their graduate work, 14 went on to work with students with disabilities in either early intervention or school-aged programs, and 4 went on to work with typical students in high-risk programs for preschoolers. The report includes an appendix entitled: "Conceptual Bases for the Infant/Toddler Multiple Disabilities Specialization Modules." (SG)