Interdisciplinary Developmental Disability Studies (IDDS)

IDDS 200. Disability History and Culture. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course provides an interdisciplinary exploration of disability within American society and internationally throughout history. It examines how disability studies, as a field of study, views disability as a social, political, historical and cultural phenomenon. The class examines cultural attitudes about disability and how they influence policies that are designed to address disability.

IDDS 201. Disability, Diversity and Human Rights. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course is an exploration of diverse populations and the variety of ways in which people learn and identify themselves, and how they interact with and connect with the world at large. Includes intersections between disability rights and human rights by examining legal and social contexts of disability law in the United States and around the world.

IDDS 300. Applications of Disability Studies. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 seminar hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: IDDS 201. This course provides students the opportunity to apply material from previous courses in disability studies to their own disciplinary major. Students will engage with faculty and community professionals in a seminar format and will intensively research a specific topic and complete a project relevant to their disciplinary field.

IDDS 600. Teamwork in Serving Persons With Developmental Disabilities. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Provides information and activities on models of teamwork, group decision making, team process, leadership and communication and how they influence services for persons with disabilities and their families; content/discussion focuses on the roles and functions of individuals from various disciplines (including parents) as team members; includes case studies and simulations of interdisciplinary teamwork in action.

IDDS 601. Resilience: Models, Research and Applications. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Overview of resilience models and research across the life span in diverse populations. Interdisciplinary emphasis on applying this overview to prevention and intervention programs at individual, family, school, community and societal levels.

IDDS 602. Leadership in Developmental Disabilities. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. A team-taught seminar in leadership development with particular emphasis on issues related to children with developmental disabilities.

IDDS 603. Clinical and Community Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Team-taught by faculty from the Leadership Education for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) program using problem-based learning. Students will learn the interdisciplinary approach to services for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities with an emphasis on evidence-based practices, the medical home and sources of community support.

IDDS 604. Interdisciplinary Studies in Developmental Disabilities: LEND Seminar I. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 4 seminar hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 4 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students who have applied to and been accepted as a trainee or fellow in the Va-LEND program. Provides information and activities on models of teamwork, group decision-making, interdisciplinary team process, communication strategies and leadership skills. Focus is on how teamwork and leadership influence services for children with developmental disabilities and their families.

IDDS 605. Interdisciplinary Studies in Developmental Disabilities: LEND Seminar II. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 4 seminar hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 4 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students who have applied to and been accepted as a trainee or fellow in the Va-LEND program. Students will learn the interdisciplinary approach to services for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities with an emphasis on research and evidence-based practices, pertinent legislation, the medical home and sources of community support.

IDDS 672. Practicum in Disability Leadership. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; 1-4 practicum hours. 1-4 credits. May be taken for a total of 4 credits. Study and integration of interdisciplinary practice in clinical or off-campus settings. Supervised by interdisciplinary faculty. Includes interdisciplinary clinical practice, family mentorship experience, disability policy activities, leadership project and professional development activities specific to leadership education for developmental disabilities. Trainees will have an opportunity to function as both team members and team leaders in addressing the needs of children with disabilities or other special health care needs and their families. This course includes site-based requirements.

IDDS 691. Special Topics in Developmental Disabilities. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of graduate faculty adviser, course faculty coordinator, and director of preservice training at the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Explores specific interdisciplinary content and issues in the field of developmental disabilities and examines the practice approaches of multiple disciplines.

IDDS 692. Directed Study in Developmental Disabilities. 1-4 Hours.

Variable hours. 1-4 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of graduate faculty adviser and director of preservice training at the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Provides an independent study in a specific area of interdisciplinary practice in developmental disabilities developed under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty.