Students will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of special education and inclusive education (Levels 1 & 2: Knowledge & Comprehension).
• Identify, comprehend, and describe the levels of children’s learning readiness and the main characteristics of their special educational needs (SEN) (Levels 1 & 2: Knowledge & Comprehension).
• Familiarize themselves with the methodology of observation, aiming to interpret the characteristics and weaknesses of individuals with SEN (Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5: Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis).
• Utilize the results of informal educational assessment to design targeted, individualized, structured, and inclusive special education programs based on intervention methodologies (Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5: Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis).
• Collaborate with fellow students to complete a brief project related to the topics covered in the course

At the level of general competencies, the course aims for students to:

• Learn to search for, analyze, and synthesize data and information (using necessary technologies).
• Adapt to new situations, make decisions, work independently and in small groups, studying interdisciplinary and foreign-language texts related to special education and early intervention.
• Generate new research ideas for children with special educational needs (SEN), designing speech therapy interventions with respect for diversity, multiculturalism, and the natural environment.
• Develop social, professional, and ethical responsibility and sensitivity regarding issues of diversity and differences.
• Practice critical thinking and self-criticism through self-observation, fostering free, creative, and inductive reasoning.
• Learn to cope with the particularly stressful educational and family environments of children diagnosed with special needs.

• Introduction to Special Education: Conceptual perspective of special education and pedagogy of inclusion
• Early and Timely Intervention and Neurodevelopmental Areas of Learning Readiness
• Introduction to Learning Disabilities
• Introduction to Intellectual Disability
• Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Introduction to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Introduction to Speech and Language Disorders
• Introduction to Sensory Disabilities
• Introduction to Emotional Disorders and Behavioral Problems
• Introduction to other forms of special educational needs (Physical and multiple disabilities, chronic illnesses, gifted and talented children)
• Observation Methodology: Informal Educational Assessment of levels of special educational needs (SEN).
• Methodology for Differentiated Intervention: Designing Individualized, Structured, and Inclusive Special Education Programs for students with SEN
• Family and the Child with SEN

Final Written Examination (80%): 

• Short-answer questions. 

• Essay development with specific questions. 

Written Small-Group Research Project (20%): 

• Written assignment to be submitted at the end of the semester. 

• Creation of differentiated pedagogical materials. 

• Presentation of the project (PowerPoint). 

The assessment criteria are clearly defined and communicated to students both during the course and through relevant postings on the e-class platform. 

The examination will be conducted in Greek.  

Books

• Drosinou, M. (2016). Special Education and Training. The Proposal for Educating Children and Young People with Special Needs through Special Education. Patra: Opportuna. Code in Eudoxus [59370917].
•  Heward, W. L. (2011). Children with special needs (A. Davazoglou & K. Kokkinos, Eds.). Athens: Topos.
• Panteliadou, S., & Argyropoulos, V. (Eds.). (2011). Special Education: From research to teaching practice. Athens: Pedio. Code in Eudoxus [12519932].
• Smith Deutsch, D., & Tyler Chowdhuri, N. (2019). Introduction to special education and training. (S. Antoniou, Ed.). Athens: Gutenberg. Code in Eudoxus [86056877].

Suggested bibliography for further study

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Intellectual disabilities. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) (5th ed., pp. 33–41). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Drosinou, M. (2019). Handbook of Special Education and Educational Narratives. Patras: Opportuna. Code in Eudoxus [77115167].
• Elliott, S. N., Kratochwill, T. R., Littlefield-Cook, J., & Travers, J. F. (2008). Educational psychology: Effective teaching, effective learning. (A. Leontari & E. Sygollitou, Eds.; M. Solman & F. Kalyva, Trans.). Athens: Gutenberg. Code in Eudoxus [31369].
• Zoniou-Sideri, A. (2011). People with disabilities and their education: A psycho-pedagogical approach to inclusion. Athens: Pedio. Code in Eudoxus [10118].
• Hodapp, R. M. (2005). Developmental theories and disability: Intellectual disability, sensory disorders, and motor disability. (A. Zoniou-Sideri & H. Spandagou, Eds.; M. Deligianni, Trans.). Athens: Metaichmio. Code in Eudoxus [23993].
• Kornilaki, A., Kypriotaki, M., & Manolitsis, G. (2010). Early intervention: An interdisciplinary perspective. Athens: Pedio. Code in Eudoxus [3367].
• Tomlinson, C. A. (2010). Differentiation in the classroom: Addressing the needs of all students. (Ch. Theofilidis & D. Martidou-Forsier, Trans.). Athens: Grigoris. Code in Eudoxus [22241].
• Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs – Pedagogical Institute (2009). Learning Readiness Activities: A book for the Special Education Teacher and Workbooks for the Student: a) Oral Language, b) Psychomotor Skills, c) Cognitive Abilities, d) Emotional Organization (4th ed., M. Drosinou, Ed.). Athens: Organization for the Publication of Educational Books (O.E.D.B.).
• Christakis, K. (2006). The education of children with difficulties: Introduction to special education (Vol. 1). Athens: Atrapos. Code in Eudoxus [151626]
• Christakis, K. (2006). The education of children with difficulties: Introduction to special education (Vol. 2). Athens: Atrapos. Code in Eudoxus [151677]
• Christakis, K. (2013). Programs and teaching strategies for individuals with special educational needs and severe learning difficulties. Athens: Diadrasi. Code in Eudoxus [86056780]

Scientific articles from Greek and international literature posted on e-class
Related scientific journals

• Issues in Special Education https://www.pesea.gr/Teyxh.htm
• Journal of Research in the Special Educational Needs (JRSEN) https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14713802
• Journal of Special Education (JSE) https://journals.sagepub.com/home/sed
• European Journal of Special Needs Education https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rejs20

https://eclass.uop.gr/courses/2639/