Special Educational Needs - 14 free online courses for parents and professionals

Being up to date with the best practices regarding special needs education is a must for both parents and professionals. We have put together a list of 14 free courses taught by a variety of professionals from recognised institutions. These courses cover a range of subjects, such as Autism; ADHD; Global Delay Development; Social, Emotional and Behavioural Disorders; Classroom Management; Parenting; Sensory Integration; Intellectual and Learning Disability; and Hearing Loss.

Supporting Special Educational Needs in Every Classroom

By School Education Gateway

This course aims at providing teachers a better understanding of how to support special educational needs in the classroom better, nonetheless, it can also be a great tool for parents wanting to learn more about special educational needs. It shows how with simple changes, teachers can make their teaching and their classroom more inclusive. Furthermore, it aims to help teachers to identify strategies to get the additional support they need. Although the course providers are no longer attributing certificates, you can still have access to all its content and learn useful strategies to support your students. Click here to access this course.

ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students

By The State University of New York, University at Buffalo

This course provides an overview of ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Course participants will learn evidence-based approaches for diagnosing this developmental disorder that begins early in childhood, as well as, two evidence-based treatment approaches - the Daily Report Card and Parenting Strategies. The course will help you to identify the key areas of functional impairment, symptom presentation, and diagnostic decision-making for youth with ADHD. It teaches you how to develop a behavioural intervention suitable for treating ADHD in the school setting, and how to apply effective parenting and teaching strategies for supporting youth with ADHD in the home, classroom, and neighbourhood. Click here to access this course.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

By University of California, Davis

Aimed at educators, clinicians, therapists, medical staff, family, and employers, this course explains the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ,and their implications for behaviour, learning and the ability to process information. It will give you a fundamental understanding of what ASD is, how it is diagnosed, the primary areas of impairment, and why prevalence is increasing. In addition, it examines the developmental and sensory-motor differences that may impact academic, play, social and self-help skills at different stages of life, including the transition to higher education and employment. It will help gain a better understanding of how sensory regulation differs for individuals on the spectrum and explore practical tools for identifying triggers and communicating feelings. Click here to access this course.

Sensory Processing with GriffinOT – Level 1

By GriffinOT

Kim Griffin offers a free sensory course that explores the basics of sensory processing disorder and sensory integration.  It is designed for teachers, parents, and professionals who want an introduction to sensory processing disorder.  The course explores different models of sensory processing disorder and sensory integration, and you will learn about the eight senses, rather than the classic five you might have been heard of. Click here to access this course.

Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioural, and Special Education Services in School

By University of Colorado

In this course, you will learn about how social-emotional skills, mental health, and learning are related. It will walk you through the reasons why schools should promote student mental health, and review school activities to support skill development and prevent social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. It will also help you identify strategies for students at risk of developing problems and highlight interventions that can be used for students with mental health needs. Click here to access this course.

Understanding Autism

By University of Kent

This course aims to answers the question, “Does autism really exist?”. It provides an excellent introduction to ASD, and you can hear first-hand the testimony of people with autism about their own experience of being on the spectrum. You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to do this course. Still, it might be of interest to practitioners in the field of autism, healthcare workers, people on the autism spectrum, and parents or carers. Click here to access this course.

Good Practice in Autism Education

By University of Bath

This course is for you if you are interested in learning about the different modalities of schooling for students with autism, including general special schools, autism-specific special schools, autism units within mainstream schools, and being in a mainstream classroom.Teachers discuss the benefits and challenges of these different types of education, what constitutes good practice within autism education, and the implications for inclusion. Click here to access this course.

Through My Eyes - Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World

University of Queensland

This health course focuses on the stories of people with intellectual disabilities around the world, as well as their families and supporters. Learners will be made aware of the challenges and aid received in healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, including their experience of specific syndromes and communication difficulties. Additionally, you will also hear from family members as they discuss complex care, rare syndromes, early death, and planning for independence. The course is open to anyone but will be of particular relevance to those in advanced medical, allied health, and disability. Click here to access this course.

Managing ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Concussion in School

By University of Colorado

In this course, you will learn about the most common developmental and behavioural disorders affecting children, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, and concussions. The course focuses on how schools can support children by recognizing common symptoms and understanding the diagnosis process. The course includes scenarios that provide first-hand clinician experience working with children with ADHD and management options for the most common developmental and behavioural disorders. Click here to access this course.

Identifying and Responding to Developmental Delay in Young Children

By Stanford University

This course was primarily created for professionals - physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, therapists, and early education specialists. It provides the knowledge and tools for the primary care clinician to identify children at risk for developmental delays, and to refer them for appropriate therapeutic and diagnostic services. Using text, case-based learning, videos, and screencasts, this course will provide the knowledge and tools necessary to perform recommended developmental screening and surveillance and to refer at-risk children for Early Intervention services. Click here to access this course.

The Science of Parenting

By University of California, San Diego

Parenting itself is far from a science. However, many of the popular advice shared on the media is neither reliable nor based on scientific evidence. This course provides a survey of important scientific findings spanning a range of topics that are central to the lives of parents, such as diet, sleep, discipline, learning, screen time, impulse control and vaccination to help parents – or future parents – make sensible, informed decisions. Click here to access this course.

Hearing Loss in Children

By University Of Michigan

Early identification and intervention of hearing loss are crucial to children’s lifelong learning outcomes. It is well documented that later identification of hearing loss can lead to significant delays in children’s speech, language, literacy, social and emotional development. Taught by multidisciplinary paediatric experts, this course gives learners the foundational knowledge that can be applied immediately in a broad range of health, educational, and home settings. You will learn about the basics of hearing and vestibular systems and early hearing screening programs; watch clinic videos related to diagnosis, treatment & management of hearing loss; and listen to personal interviews with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Click here to access this course.

Positive Behavior Support for Young Children

By University of Washington

The goal of this course is to learn evidence-based practices to support infants and young children's social and emotional development.The course is designed for anyone that works with children presenting challenging behaviour. It explores the developmental trajectory of children with early-onset aggressive behaviours; positive behaviour support program models and intervention efforts that promote positive early childhood mental health; and evidence-based classroom management skills. You can expect to leave the course with a solid understanding of how to design supportive environments. Click here to access this course.

Working with Students with Special Educational Needs

By Alison

This short course on working with students with special education needs is ideal for parents and teachers of all backgrounds. Children with special needs have different requirements, especially when it comes to classroom learning. Having an in-depth understanding of educational psychology can help those in the field of special education to fulfil their roles better. This course will help you make your working day a little easier and more productive. Click here to access this course.