DIDACTICS AND SPECIAL PEDAGOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
The course assessment will be conducted through an oral exam covering the entire program.
By the end of the Special Pedagogy course, students will be able to thoroughly understand and interpret the cognitive, behavioral, and relational characteristics of students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, integrating theoretical knowledge, up-to-date scientific evidence, and international regulatory frameworks. Participation in lectures, laboratories, and real-case simulations will enable students to develop the ability to design personalized educational interventions, draft and update the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and critically assess its effectiveness in relation to the specific needs of each student.
During the course, students will acquire advanced skills in applying differentiated psychopedagogical methodologies, learning to adapt them flexibly to various school and social contexts, and promoting genuine inclusion and integration of students with complex educational needs. The training will focus on developing the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, coordinating diverse roles and competencies, communicating efficiently with colleagues, families, and professionals from other disciplines, and managing educational complexity strategically and consciously.
Furthermore, students will be guided to develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, applying theoretical knowledge in the design of concrete, sustainable, and innovative interventions that foster meaningful learning, social participation, and autonomy for students with SLD, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In this way, the course aims to train professionals capable of transforming integration from a theoretical principle into effective, conscious, and personalized educational practice, responding competently and sensitively to the needs of individual students and complex educational contexts.
The course provides students with an advanced and critical understanding of educational processes for individuals with complex needs, including Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, intellectual disabilities, and sensory impairments. It aims to integrate theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge, developing skills to design concrete, sustainable, and personalized interventions.
Emphasizing a holistic perspective, the course highlights the importance of personalized educational approaches and effective teamwork, fostering collaboration among teachers, educators, therapists, and families. An integrated approach combines lectures, workshops, case simulations, and real-world analyses to promote critical reflection and practical application of knowledge. Students will explore advanced models of Special Pedagogy and current scientific evidence, gaining tools to understand students’ cognitive, behavioral, relational, and sensory characteristics, and to assess effective strategies. Workshops allow students to design individualized interventions, develop and update Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and practice strategies suited to diverse needs, while strengthening skills in managing complexity and interdisciplinary collaboration. The curriculum covers the foundations of Special Pedagogy, including its history, the principle of educability, and the interaction between education and pedagogy, with critical analysis of key theoretical and psychopedagogical models. Specific focus is placed on SLD (cognitive and neuropsychological features, differentiated teaching, compensatory tools), ADHD (cognitive, behavioral, and relational aspects, management strategies), Autism Spectrum Disorders (communication, relational skills, inclusion strategies), and intellectual and sensory disabilities (methodological adaptations and support pathways to promote autonomy, participation, and integration).Finally, the course addresses placement, integration, and inclusion processes, emphasizing the transition from theoretical planning to practical implementation, and strategies to promote active participation and monitor intervention effectiveness.
The Special Pedagogy course offers a comprehensive educational program designed to provide students with an advanced and critical understanding of educational processes for individuals with complex needs. Particular attention is given to Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, intellectual disabilities, and sensory impairments. The program integrates theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge, developing planning and reflective skills that enable students to address the complexity of supporting individuals with disabilities and to translate theory into concrete, sustainable, and personalized interventions. The course employs an integrated teaching approach that combines advanced lectures, project-based workshops, real-case simulations, and analysis of concrete experiences. Lectures focus on advanced models of Special Pedagogy and the latest scientific evidence, providing tools to understand the cognitive, behavioral, relational, and sensory characteristics of students with complex needs. The use of films, documentaries, and audiovisual materials supports observation of educational dynamics and stimulates critical reflection on effective strategies. In workshops and group activities, students practice designing individualized interventions, developing and updating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and applying operational strategies adapted to diverse needs, while strengthening their ability to manage educational complexity and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Simulations and analysis of complex cases further consolidate skills in critical reflection, problem-solving, and adapting educational practices to emerging needs, ensuring coherent and integrated learning across theory, methodology, and practice. The program covers the foundations of Special Pedagogy, from the history of the discipline to the principle of educability and the circular relationship between education and pedagogy, with a critical analysis of major theoretical and psychopedagogical models. Particular focus is placed on SLD, examining their cognitive and neuropsychological characteristics, differentiated teaching methodologies, and compensatory tools; on ADHD, considering cognitive, behavioral, and relational implications and strategies for managing learning contexts; on Autism Spectrum Disorders, focusing on communication, relational skills, and inclusion strategies; and on intellectual and sensory disabilities, addressing methodological adaptations and support pathways to promote autonomy, participation, and integration. Finally, the course explores placement, integration, and inclusion processes, emphasizing the transition from theoretical planning to practical implementation and strategies to promote active participation and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. The course assessment will be conducted through an oral exam covering the entire program.
The course employs an integrated teaching approach that combines advanced lectures, project-based workshops, real-case simulations, and the analysis of concrete experiences to support both theoretical learning and its practical application. Lectures focus on advanced models of Special Pedagogy and the latest scientific evidence, providing tools to understand the cognitive, behavioral, relational, and sensory characteristics of students with SLD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and intellectual and sensory disabilities. The use of films, documentaries, and audiovisual materials supports observation of educational dynamics and stimulates critical discussion of effective strategies. In workshops and group activities, students practice designing individualized interventions, developing and updating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and applying operational strategies adapted to diverse needs, while strengthening skills in managing educational complexity and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams. Simulations and the analysis of complex cases further help consolidate critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to adapt educational practices to emerging needs, ensuring an integrated learning experience that coherently combines theory, methodology, and practice.
The instructor is available for individual consultations through Teams. Students are kindly requested to schedule an appointment in advance by emailing valeria.nieddu@uninsubria.it