Focus on research in child language and recent theories of language acquisition. Observational methodology in developmental assessment and a review of principles and procedures of behavior change from a social learning perspective. Particular attention will be given to the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral interventions with children and families. Methods and procedures for facilitating development of high risk or handicapped infants. Reviews the contributions and specific perspectives of various disciplines in meeting the developmental, environmental, and physical needs of such children.
Students design infant intervention programs.
The acquisition of linguistic skills antecedent to early reading and the problems of acquisition of reading during early school years. The development of analytic and numerical skills. Focuses on problems of quantitative problem solving in the early school years. Genetic transmission of childhood disorders as well as metabolic disturbances contributing to such disorders. Includes sequelae associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, drug exposure, prenatal, perinatal and postnatal diseases and traumas.