DSAB 603 - Disability and the Family Life Cycle (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
This course focuses on disability viewed from the perspective of lifespan development and the family life cycle. Students who complete the course will be knowledgeable about: the relationship between Disability Studies, lifespan developmental psychology and the sociology of the family; the use of autobiographical narratives and personal accounts by people with disabilities to address critical issues across the life span; the experience of parents and siblings of a family member with a disability; the pervasiveness of Ableism in the American educational system and its deleterious impact on educational outcomes of children with disabilities; characteristics of successful inclusion efforts, and the relationship between inclusion and school reform; self-determination and family involvement in the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities; family life of adults with disabilities including marriage, parenting, caring for aging parents and the death of parents; the importance of social networks in the lives of people with disabilities; approaches to challenging behaviors including autism, and individuals dually diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders; use of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) in the treatment of challenging behaviors; the negative impact of stigma on individuals with mental illness and family members and on the delivery of quality mental health services in the community; behavioral and mental health changes associated with aging adults with intellectual disabilities; and using person-centered planning and self-advocacy to improve the quality of life of aging individuals with disabilities.