Certificate of Achievement: CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The Child Development Children with Special Needs pathway prepares students to work with children of diverse ages, abilities, and cultures who are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities or identified with special needs in inclusive and natural environments. This certificate will equip you with the competencies necessary to support children’s development, create adaptations, and develop curriculum to meet the needs of children with diverse needs. You will also gain tools to support families using anti-racist and culturally responsive approaches. The Children with Special Needs certificate will increase your confidence and competence in your career as an early interventionist, school district paraprofessional, or other agencies serving children with special needs.

20 students 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Integrate understanding of characteristics, special needs, and multiple influences on the development of children from birth to age eight as it relates to early childhood theories and milestones for optimal growth and development.
• Analyze environmental and biological risk factors that impact children’s behavior and brain growth.
• Create and implement developmentally appropriate strategies, techniques, and curriculum incorporating the California Early Childhood Educator Competencies, as well as anti-bias and adaptation principles for working with typical and atypical developing children.
• This program supports students seeking employment or advancement in early childhood education, early intervention, special education support, and inclusive child development settings.

The Children with Special Needs Certificate of Achievement requires completion of 18 units of required Child Development coursework. The program requirements are designed to provide students with a focused pathway in supporting children of diverse ages, abilities, cultures, and developmental needs. Students will gain foundational knowledge in child development, family and community relationships, diversity, early intervention, programs for children with special needs, and positive guidance strategies in early childhood settings.

Certificate of Achievement: Children with Special Needs

Required Core Courses: 18 units

The Children with Special Needs program currently exists in the college curriculum as a Skill Certificate. Through this new program, the department seeks to elevate the existing curriculum to a Certificate of Achievement and formally add the program to the Chancellor’s Office Curriculum Inventory (COCI).

West Los Angeles College offers a Teaching Learners with Special Needs Certificate of Achievement 

Los Angeles City College offers a Children with Special Needs Certificate of Achievement 

East Los Angeles College offers a Children With Special Needs Emphasis Skill Certificate 

El Camino College offers an Early Intervention Assistant Certificate of Achievement 

Compton College also offers an Early Intervention Assistant Certificate of Achievement 

20 students 

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