SPEC 684A - Initial Field Experience

Credits: 3
The first course in this series of fieldwork preparation provides an opportunity for candidates to interface with other service providers (the school nurse, occupational therapist, speech and language specialist, physical therapist, psychologist, paraprofessional/para-educator/IA, and health care assistant). Candidates will gain the knowledge to identify the unique characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorders and the core challenges associated with language and communication, social skills, behavior and processing, and the implications for program planning and service delivery. Candidates will have planned experiences and/or interactions that reflect the full diversity of grades/ages, federal disability categories, and the continuum of special education services outlined in the specific credential authorization, which include experiences with parents and families, and experiences with a broad range of service delivery options (experiences may include any school, agency, or program as defined in Education Code Sections 56031). Candidates will observe teachers using productive routines and effective transitions for students' academic and socio-emotional growth and development and observe how personnel organize and supervise the work of other adults. Candidates will select focus students for deeper observational study, including students who are dual language learners and who may (a) exhibit typical behavior; (b) exhibit atypical behavior; or (c) have other types of special learning needs. Candidates will complete 100 of the required 200 hours of supervised early field work.