EDSP 519 Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities

This course addresses the characteristics, medical and health conditions, and learning and support needs of students with severe disabilities who require adaptations to the general curriculum to receive an appropriate education.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


To meet the learning and support needs of students with more severe disabilities, special educators must have understanding of the cognitive, linguistic, physical, psychomotor, social, or emotional functioning of the student in relation to the disability.   


Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview module.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The thread must cite at least 1 source in current APA format. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 classmate’s threads. The replies must be at least 150 words and must cite at least 1 source in current APA format. The course textbooks, the Bible, and scholarly journal articles may be used as sources. (CLO: A – E)

Online Learning Modules Assignments (2)

The candidate will complete two online learning modules available via the open-access Iris Center (CLO: C, D):

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (Part 1 & 2)
  • School Nurses: Roles and Responsibilities in the School Setting

Medical and Health Conditions Glossary Assignments (2)

Based on reading and study across the duration of the term, the candidate will create a glossary demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of the definitions, characteristics (including medical and health conditions), and learning and behavioral support needs of students with disabilities impacting their cognitive, linguistic, physical, psychomotor, social, or emotional functioning. (CLO: A, B)

Article Analysis Assignment

The candidate will analyze an article centered on the partnership between special educators and school nurses to meet the healthcare needs of students with severe disabilities in public schools. Each section of the analysis template must be completed in full using professional language. (CLO: C, D)

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Assignment

Given a comprehensive profile of a student with significant and/or multiple disabilities, the candidate will develop an individualized education program (IEP) to meet the cognitive, physical (including self-care and self-management), sensory, and health and medical needs of the student in the educational setting. (CLO: A – D)

Chapter Quizzes (6)

Throughout the course, the candidate will complete quizzes that correspond with the Learn materials. All quizzes are open-book/open-notes and contain 20/25 multiple-choice questions. The candidate will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete each quiz. (CLO: A, B)

Quiz 1 (Ch. 1 – 4): Implications of Physical, Health, & Multiple Disabilities

Quiz 2 (Ch. 5 – 8): Neuromotor Impairments

Quiz 3 (Ch. 9 – 12): Orthopedic, Musculoskeletal, and Sensory Disorders

Quiz 4 (Ch. 13 – 16): Degenerative and Terminal Illnesses  

Quiz 5 (Ch. 17 – 20): Major Health Impairments

Quiz 6 (Ch. 21 – 23): Infectious Diseases


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