Parenting Children with Multiple Disabilities

Course ID: PMD-111

Audience
Family Education

Course Description
This course is designed for family members of children with visual impairment and one or more other disabilities. It offers ways to promote learning at home, in school, and in the community, and explains how take an active role in educational planning. Because disabilities vary in type and severity, some techniques will work better for some children than others. Therefore, the lessons encourage students to keep the unique needs of their own children in mind. As a special feature, this course presents three fictional young people with different combinations of multiple disabilities. Each lesson describes how Nikki, Lupita, and Connor learn various concepts and skills.
Media
Large print and online (The pilot is in large print only.)

Organization
This course is divided into seven lessons.

Credit
None

Prerequisites Skills
None

Prerequisite Equipment
Students provide their own writing material and tools.

Overview
Students submit seven assignments. Assignments may be submitted in all formats.

Grading
Satisfactory or unsatisfactory

Objectives and Content
After completing Lesson 1, you will be able to
a. discuss the uniqueness of children with multiple disabilities
b. identify the importance of realistic expectations and goals
c. explain how experience promotes growth and development
d. indicate the importance of routines and calendar systems
e. outline the relationship between independence, dependence, and interdependence
f. describe the hierarchy of prompts, from most intrusive to least intrusive

After completing Lesson 2, you will be able to
a. identify the types of professionals who work with children with multiple disabilities
b. explain the role of assessment
c. discuss how to work with professionals as a team
d. explain how to be an effective advocate for your child
e. describe person-centered planning

After completing Lesson 3, you will be able to
a. explain the communication process
b. identify the characteristics of nonsymbolic communication
c. list the characteristics of symbolic communication methods
d. discuss strategies for reading and writing
e. define echolalia
f. give examples of ways to promote your child’s communication
After completing Lesson 4, you will be able to
a. discuss the role of family members
b. indicate the role of play
c. explain how to help your child develop social skills
d. describe how to maintain a balanced family structure

After completing Lesson 5, you will be able to
a. identify types of behaviors
b. discuss reasons for behaviors
c. explain how every behavior has a message
d. describe how to use functional behavior analysis
e. indicate how to implement and evaluate a behavior plan

After completing Lesson 6, you will be able to
a. discuss how to promote the development of self-help skills
b. identify specific environmental adaptations and adaptive aids
c. describe how to use task analysis when selecting adaptations and aids
d. explain how to encourage participation in self-help routines

After completing Lesson 7, you will be able to
a. describe orientation skills
b. give examples of mobility techniques and aids
c. list environmental adaptations that promote orientation and mobility
d. explain how people who do not travel independently can take an active role in travel
e. identify transportation methods for nondrivers