• Have a basic knowledge of the key theories and stages of child development, educational theory, and the characteristics of the common types of disabilities;
• Have the skills necessary for the identification of specific disabilities and understand the diagnosis and assessment of individual weaknesses;
• Develop competency in a range of teaching skills to suit the needs of the children being taught; and
• Plan and evaluate individualized intervention programs for their own area of disability specialization.
• Access the different resources to support the integration of a child with special needs
• Work with educationalists and therapists to provide counsel and support to parents with special needs children
• Acquire a strong foundation in speech and language development, child psychology, abnormal psychology and counselling.

The program begins by introducing student teachers to the theories and stages of developmental psychology and then moves on to the nature of special needs. The main focus will be for the students to be familiar with the most common learning disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Students will be exposed to the identification processes, diagnosis processes and intervention strategies for individuals with these needs. Students will then be trained to help children develop their literacy skills and communication skills. The programme is highly practice-oriented to ensure a direct linkage with the real issues and problems encountered by the student teachers in their special classes. The students go on to acquire the critical foundational skills of counselling needed to work with children and the parents of children with special needs.

Candidates should be 18 years of age & possess a minimum of SPM certification.