Welcome to this OTB Learning online professional development course. This course is designed first and foremost to support your professional development.

Course Presentation

The materials in this course are presented in a sequential manner. A variety of media has been used in the course design and time has been allowed as part of the course to explore all of these including links to external websites.

Course Support

We hope you enjoy and benefit from this course. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us by email on: [email protected]

What's in Each Module

The course is divided into 5 course modules:

Module 1:

• An examination of Circular 0064/2024, Cosán, SSE and LAOS frameworks, particularly in the areas of Learning & teaching and Leadership and management to gain an in-depth understanding of schools’ responsibilities in supporting SEN students
• An examination of The DE Guidelines to accompany the above Circular
• An examination of the NEPS continuum of support and how this can be used to support SEN students
• An examination of Circulars 007/2019, 008/2019,0080/2024, 0002/2024 and how they should be used in conjunction with Circular 0064/2024

Module 2:

• An examination of the Language of Inclusion and how this is evolving
• An examination of how the Language of Inclusion impacts attitudes
• An examination of Neurodiversity and what it means in the learning environment
• An examination of the advantages and disadvantages of terminology
• An examination of UDL within an educational context and how UDL can be used to plan more effective lessons
• An examination of ADHD (APA, 2013) including strategies using a strengths-based approach to support ADHD students
• An examination of the six-step school self-evaluation process and the two dimensions:
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Leadership and Management
• An examination of how this course may help participants to assist school management of SSE and take on leadership roles in the dissemination of information gained

Module 3:

• An examination of autism Autism (ASD, APA, 2013) and implications for inclusion
• An examination of Evidence-based strategies and approaches to support autistic students in the learning environment
• An examination of Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD, APA, 2013)
• An examination of evidence-based strategies using a strengths-based approach to support the student in the learning environment
• An examination of behaviours of concern or distress and understanding its communicative intent or function
• An examination of evidence-based strategies using a strengths-based approach to support the student with behaviour of concern or distress

Module 4:

• An examination of a variety of criterion-referenced assessments that can be used to gain a baseline of strengths and needs of SEN students
• An examination of how the above assessments can be used when compiling an SSP
• An examination of a classroom environment checklist and how this can inform the SSP
• An examination of sensory checklists that can be used by teachers to ascertain if the student is hyper or hypo in any of the 8 senses
• An examination of how the above assessments can guide discussion on
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Leadership & Management as part of Cosán, LAOS and SSE frameworks

Module 5:

• An examination of how visual supports can be used within the learning environment
• An examination of the use of students’ interests when teaching academic and life skills
• An examination of evidence-based strategies for teaching comprehension
• An examination of evidence-based strategies for teaching organisational skills
• An examination of evidence-based strategies for teaching self-management and other life skills
• An examination of evidence-based strategies using a strengths-based approach for teaching pragmatic language
• An examination of evidence-based strategies for teaching pro-social skills
• An examination of evidence-based strategies for teaching emotional self-awareness
• An examination of how the participants can empower other staff through the dissemination of information gained from this course. A strengths-based approach will be used will be used when examining teaching strategies for all SEN students
• An examination of how this course can empower teachers to become more dynamic within Cosán, SSE and LAOS frameworks

Lesson Summary

Welcome to this OTB Learning online professional development course aimed at supporting your professional growth. The course is structured to provide a comprehensive learning experience with a variety of media to explore, including external website links. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us via email at: [email protected].

Course Modules:

1. Module 1:
   • An in-depth examination of various frameworks related to supporting SEN students in schools
   • Understanding DE Guidelines and NEPS continuum of support
   • Exploring the usage of different Circulars in conjunction
2. Module 2:
   • Exploring the Language of Inclusion and its impact on attitudes
   • Learning about Neurodiversity and UDL for effective lesson planning
   • Examining ADHD strategies and the school self-evaluation process
3. Module 3:
   • Understanding autism and Specific Learning Difficulties
   • Implementing evidence-based strategies to support autistic students
   • Addressing behaviours of concern or distress
4. Module 4:
   • Using criterion-referenced assessments to assess SEN students' needs
   • Compiling SSP and using classroom environment checklists
   • Utilizing sensory checklists and guiding Teaching & Learning discussion
5. Module 5:
   • Exploring visual supports and teaching strategies for academic and life skills
   • Empowering teachers through evidence-based strategies for various skills
   • Enhancing pro-social skills, emotional self-awareness, and self-management