Question 1
Read the following articles to supplement your readings from the study guide (Study Unit 1) and Chapters 1 and 3 in your textbook.
i) Lipponen et al., (2019). Vital voices for vital years 2: Perspectives on early childhood development in Singapore.
ii) Barton et al., (2015). Advancing high-quality preschool inclusion: a discussion and recommendations for the field. Topics in early childhood special education,
a) Based on your readings, describe the early intervention services for children with special needs in Singapore and assess the possible benefits and challenges for the children.
b) What does inclusion mean and how can the early childhood settings in Singapore be more inclusive in order to provide the ‘natural settings’ as recommended by Cook, Klein & Chen (2004) for early intervention?
c) Create a table to show your understanding of the benefits and challenges of inclusive preschools for the Singapore context. Include the impact of inclusion on the following
groups of people:
i) the children with special needs
ii) their peers (without special needs)
iii) parents of children with special needs
iv) the preschool teachers
Question 2
a) This question requires you to learn to distinguish between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). To do so, conduct a library search and create a comparative table that illustrates similarities and differences between the presenting characteristics of ASD and Global Developmental Delay.
b) What are the recommended principles and guidelines when early childhood educators work with families and other professionals to support a child with ASD or GDD? (Students to select only ONE condition when responding to this question).
c) Watch the video “Autism symptoms and behaviors”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eS2CBMSZ4E). Analyze the strengths and difficulties presented by this child across the 6 developmental domains.
d) With reference to the video, what accommodations or modifications would you create and carry out in your preschool classroom for him?
