Includes bibliographical references and appendices.

A Course Module for Teaching Learners with Developmental Disabilities is ageneral introduction to the characteristics of learners with developmental disabilitiesand their education. This module emphasizes the educational considerations,practices, and medical aspects of learners with developmental disabilities. We havewritten this module with two primary audiences in mind: those individuals who arepreparing to be special education teachers and those who are preparing to be generaleducators. Given the current movement toward inclusive education, special educationteachers and general educators must be prepared to understand this kind of learnersand be ready to provide appropriate programming for them.
In Chapter 1, we begin with an overview of learners with developmentaldisabilities (LDDs), including definitions, causes, and factors. In Chapter 2, wediscuss the different types of developmental disablities, including the definition,classification,characteristics, and causation. In Chapter 3, we address thesetypes of learners by discussing the planning and the provision of special educationservices to learners with developmental disabilities. In Chapter 4, we discuss thedifferent trends and issues by providing the topic on advancing the cause of LDDsin education.
We believe that we have written a module that touches the heart and mind.It is our conviction that professionals working with LDDs need to develop not only asolid knowledge base, but also a healthy attitude toward their work and the peoplewhom they serve. Professionals must constantly challenge themselves to learnmore theory,researches, and practices in special education and to develop anevermore sensitive understanding of LDDs and their families.