The University of Texas at Dallas

Exceptional Children
Psy 3342 501
Fall 2005
Instructor: M. Matthew Housson, Ph.D. Email: housson@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment Office: GR 4.307
Classroom: Green Hall (GR 4.428) Class Schedule: Thursday 7:00-9:45

Course Description:

This course is intended to acquaint you with policies related to children with special needs, help you
to understand the definition, etiology, evaluation, education, and program options for children with
special needs, and to use this information to effectively intervene with children and families who have
special needs. Special attention will be paid to systems (e.g., family, school, community) that have
an impact on the child with special needs.

Course Objectives:

The overall objective of this course is to provide an in-depth study of the evaluation, identification,
education, and treatment of children with special needs. We will examine public policy that relates
to the education and treatment of children with special needs, and examine issues related to
identifying and remediating childhood exceptionalities. At the end of this course you should:

1. Differentiate exceptionality from normal development.

2. Be aware of policies, practices, and programs that impact children with special needs.

3. Understand the impact that exceptionality has on the family system.

4. Evaluate the role that schools play in identifying and educating children with special
needs.

5. Be able to understand the origins and causes of language, learning, behavioral, physical,
sensory, and emotional disorders and understand the intricacies of giftedness.

6. Enhance your sensitivity of handicapping conditions in order to improve your ability to

intervene effectively with individuals with exceptionality.
Class Attendance:

I will take attendance five times across the course of the semester. Attendance will be taken
randomly and at the end of class. Each time you are present you will receive 20 points. If you are
present all five times you will receive a grade of 100. If you are in the bathroom, leave class early,
or sick and unable to come to class, then I will not be able to count you as present to class. If
someone signs your name and you are not present, then you will be referred to the Office of Student
Affairs for academic dishonesty. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact a peer in
your class for the notes. I will not make my lecture notes available to individuals who miss class.
Please find a buddy in the class whom you can contact if you have a question about a missed class.

Classroom Environment:

I encourage your participation in class. Please be on time to class. Tests will not be handed out 15
minutes past the time the class starts. If you need to leave class before the end of the period, please
do so discretely. Students entering and leaving in the middle of class are distracting to other
students and me. Please turn cell phones and pagers off before coming to class.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty:

Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties,
including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such
dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of The University, policies on
scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Organization and Grading:

We will meet once a week for lectures, discussions, and videotape presentations. The reading
assignments for each meeting are indicated below. There will be three non-cumulative exams. All
exams will be composed of multiple choice or short-answer questions.

Exam I Thursday 9/22/05 30% of Course Grade

Exam II Thursday 10/27/05 30% of Course Grade
Non-Comprehensive Final Exam Thursday 12/ 1/05 30% of Course Grade
Class Attendance 10% of Course Grade

Final Grades will determined as follows:

A+= 97 or above C+= 77-79 F= Below 60

A= 94-96 C= 74-76
A- 90-93 C- 70-73
 B+= 87-89 D+= 67-69
B= 84-86 D= 64-66
B- 80-83 D- 60-63

Everyone must take exams at the scheduled times. Make-up exams will be given only in the event
of serious illness or other emergency situation (e.g., death of a family member, car wreck; etc.). In
case such an emergency situation arises, you must contact me prior to the time of the exam or as
soon as possible and request permission to take a make-up exam. It will be left to my discretion as
to whether make-up exams will be allowed. Make-up exams may be composed of essay questions
in addition to multiple-choice questions. You must make up the exam within one week of the
originally scheduled test.

Tests:

You will need the Pearson Exam System II Scantron form. The Form number is 229630. You
will not be allowed to take the test without this scantron sheet.

Class Feedback:

It is my hope that this course will be a stimulating and relevant part of your continuing education.
Your comments and suggestions regarding the class are welcome. Schedule an appointment with
me to talk about course material.

Text:

Gargiulo, Richard M. (2004) Special Education in Contemporary Society: An Introduction to

Exceptionality. (Second Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.

Companion Website: http://education.wadsworth.com

 READING ASSIGNMENTS:

8/18 Introduction Chapter 1

8/25 Policies, Laws, Inclusion Chapter 2
9/01 No Class
9/08 Cultural and Family Factors Chapters 3 & 4
9/15 Mental Retardation Chapter 5

9/22 Exam I

9/29 Gifted and Talented Chapter 8

10/6 Speech and Language Disorders Chapter 9
10/13 Hearing and Vision Impairments Chapters 10 & 11
10/20 Physical Disabilities Chapter 13

10/27 Exam II

11/03 Learning Disabilities Chapter 6

11/10 Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Chapter 7
11/17 Autism Spectrum Disorders/Review Chapter 12
11/24 No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday

12/01 Final Exam