Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders

HDCD 6310 Working with Parents and Caregivers (3 semester credit hours) Skills needed by professionals to work with parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Topics address skills needed to assess parent strengths and resources, and to assist parents in understanding and promoting their children's development and adjustment; including effective communication techniques, and strategies to enhance parental efficacy to advocate for their children. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6312 Atypical Development (3 semester credit hours) Disorders of development from conception through preschool. Effects of developmental impairments on the child, family, and the environment and prognosis and treatment options. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6315 Assessment Theory (3 semester credit hours) Latest developments in the field of assessment with young children, including behavioral observation, contextual multi-faceted assessment, and inclusion of the family. Training in traditional psychometrics and assessment tools/techniques. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HDCD 6319 and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6316 Developmental Assessment (3 semester credit hours) Training in administration of play-based, curriculum-based, and specialized development domain assessment tools. Training in use of Zero-to-Three diagnostic classification system (DC: 0-5) for differential diagnosis decision-making. Emphasis on clinical judgment/observation, interpretation, and integration with assessment results. Prerequisites: HDCD 6315 and HDCD 6319 and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6319 (HCS 6357 and PSYC 6357) The Developing Child: Infants and Toddlers (3 semester credit hours) Empirical data and theories related to development in multiple content domains (e.g., cognitive, social, motor, language, physical) from the prenatal period through 24 months of age. Emphasis is placed on effects of how changes in behaviors in one domain affect functioning in other domains and viewing the child within a larger ecological system. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6320 (HCS 6359 and PSYC 6320) The Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years (Two to Five Years) (3 semester credit hours) Developmental milestones of 24-to 60-month olds across several domains, the mechanisms of developmental change, individual differences in development, social influences on development, and the practical applications of research on early child development. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6330 Families and Culture (3 semester credit hours) The purpose of this seminar is to investigate interactions between family, culture and child development. Topics will include intercultural competence, cultural identity and biases, intercultural communication, and cultural variations in family values and practices. The impact of the students' own culture, attitudes, and beliefs in working with families from diverse backgrounds will be emphasized. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6335 Intervention Paradigms (3 semester credit hours) Historical, theoretical, practice, and research bases for early intervention paradigms. Research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of early intervention programs and determine evidence-based practice. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6345 Trauma-Informed Care (3 semester credit hours) Explores various types of traumas, including acute, chronic, systemic, historical, vicarious, and complex developmental trauma, as well as its effects on the development of children, youth, and families. Emphasis will be placed on trauma-informed practices for professionals, with a special focus on building a trauma-informed lens for future work. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6351 Play Matters (3 semester credit hours) Study of the importance of play for child development and its unique value as an evaluative and remedial tool in early intervention. Combines didactic and experiential elements to facilitate an integrated understanding of play-based approaches to working children and families. Includes guided experience facilitating a playgroup program for young children and their parents. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and instructor consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6352 Optimal Learning Environments (3 semester credit hours) Explores design of developmentally appropriate physical environments to optimize learning and development for infants through young children. Topics include initial setup, ability to modify, and ways to overcome barriers associated with creating ideal spaces. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6355 Family Outreach and Assessment (3 semester credit hours) This practicum is designed to provide students, as part of a 2-3 person team, supervised experiences with young children from diverse backgrounds, at selected off-campus sites. Emphasis is on assessment, professional report writing, communicating assessment results orally to the families and other professionals, the referral process, and working together in small teams. Pass/Fail only. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and instructor consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6360 Behavior Management (3 semester credit hours) Observational methodology in behavioral assessment and a review of principles and procedures of behavior change from social learning and applied behavior analysis perspectives. Particular attention will be given to the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral interventions with children and families. Prerequisite: BBSC majors only. (3-0) R

HDCD 6365 (COMD 7336) Social Communication in Early Childhood Disorders (3 semester credit hours) Examines the development of infant and toddler social attention and communication in the first two years of life, and assessment/intervention strategies for identifying and treating children with social attention and communication challenges (i.e., autistic children). The course is divided into two main sections. The first section focuses on introductory topics, including autism, what constitutes evidence-based practices, and historical perspectives on intervention. The remainder of the course is devoted to understanding a) social development in young children and relevant intervention for each stage, and b) the relationship among social development, social communication, and language. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) F

HDCD 6370 Intervention with Young Children (3 semester credit hours) Emphasis on methods and procedures for facilitating development of high risk, developmentally delayed young children through relationship-based intervention. Reviews the contributions and perspectives of various early intervention models and disciplines. Students design and implement individualized intervention treatment plans. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 6385 (HCS 7376 and PSYC 6335) Child Psychopathology (3 semester credit hours) Childhood psychopathology manifested during infancy through adolescence. Normal personality development as a basis for identifying psychopathology. Issues of etiology, diagnosis, prognosis and social policy. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6390 Infant Mental Health (3 semester credit hours) Infant Mental Health is a global field of study that examines the healthy development of children ages 0 - 3 years. This course discusses theoretical foundations within the context of relationships that support early child development. Self-reflection is a primary practice through the duration of this course and class activities are designed to provide this opportunity. Content discussion includes infant brain development, temperament, early childhood trauma, attachment and separation, and parent attachment styles. The course text identifies intervention programs and early childhood disorders which are also highlighted in this course. Prerequisite: BBSC majors only. (3-0) R

HDCD 6395 Medical and Biobehavioral Factors in Early Childhood Disorders (3 semester credit hours) The normal functioning of organ systems and the most common malformations, dysfunction, and diseases. Effects of these disorders on the child and family. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) R

HDCD 6V20 Practicum/Internship in Early Childhood Disorders (3 or 6 semester credit hours) Supervised participation in on-site, early intervention, preschool and private therapy, clinics, hospitals, and other settings for young children with special needs. Includes professional activities such as conducting assessments, intervention, service coordination, and interdisciplinary teaming. Bi-weekly seminars address reflective practice as a tool for professional growth, ethical decision making in real situations, and professional use of self. Taken for 3 hours credit coincident with practicum placement and for 6 hours credit coincident with internship placement. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit with the supervisor's prior approval. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and instructor consent required. ([3 or 6]-0) S

HDCD 6V81 Special Topics in Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders (1-9 semester credit hours) May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. ([1-9]-0) Y

HDCD 7382 (HCS 7382 and PSYC 7382) Health Psychology (3 semester credit hours) This course is a graduate-level introduction to the field of health psychology. The course will utilize a biopsychosocial perspective to understand the biological, social, and psychological factors associated with health and well-being. Topics may include stress and coping processes, health disparities, health behavior, and psychoneuroimmunology. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and department consent required. (3-0) Y

HDCD 7V80 Independent Research (1-6 semester credit hours) Individualized program of study which includes research and/or other designated activities. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and instructor consent required. ([1-6]-0) S

HDCD 7V98 Independent Study (1-6 semester credit hours) Individualized program of study which may include reading, research, and/or other designated activities. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisites: BBSC majors only and instructor consent required. ([1-6]-0) S