Proposal Information Form

Submission Deadline: May 24, 1999

1. Title of Presentation (12 words or fewer)

Using the WORLD as a Resource:

Young children with special needs

2. Abstract (50 words or fewer, see guidelines)

When a parent, caregiver or educator observes that an infant or young child is experiencing difficulties in development — what are the options? One excellent source of information is the World Wide Web. This electronic resource offers links to information, support groups; and other resources to support needs of children.

3. Type of Session

___X___ Demonstration -- Audience participation/interaction will be encouraged. Presenters will model best practices and technological strategies that will assist early childhood educators 1 Hour --

Would you accept another session format for your presentation?

___X___ Yes

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4. Topical Areas: Please indicate the primary and secondary area codes based on page one.

Main Topical Area: 1. Early Childhood

Related Topical Area 2. Technology and Media

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5. Target Audience (Using the list below, please indicate your primary

audience and secondary audience(s) in the blanks below.)

Primary audience 1. Early Childhood Educators

Secondary audience 2. Families

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6. Instructional Level: Please indicate the instructional level of the presentation

__X_ Introductory

____ Intermediate

____ Advanced

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7. Proposer Information

Name of proposer: Dr. Colleen A. Finegan

Position/Title: Associate Professor, Teacher Education

Institution: Wright State University

Address 376 Millett Hall

Dayton, OH 45435

O 937-775-4582 H 513- 779-9994 FAX 937-775-4855

Email: colleen.finegan@wright.edu or cafinegan@aol.com

URL: http://www.ed.wright.edu/fac_staff/stoll/stoll.htm

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8. Are you a CEC member?

__X__ Yes- A pioneer member, actually. ___ No

Membership number _______139710____

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9. Program Participation

Person submitting proposal is responsible for ensuring that he/she is

not proposing/presenting more than one poster session and not more than

one other type of presentation (for a total of 2 only) for the 2000 CEC

Convention. Please indicate that you have fulfilled this requirement by

checking this box . ___X___YES

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10. Signature of Proposer and Date of Proposal Submitted

Submission of a proposal is a commitment by all individuals participating in the presentation to register for the convention. Individuals whose proposals are accepted must pre-register by a specific date in order to be included in the program. Your signature signifies that your, as well as all other session participants’, agreement with this requirement.

____________________________________________________ _________________

Section B. Description of the Proposal

In a narrative between 300 - 500 words, provide a concise, detailed description of your proposal. As the reviewer(s) read your proposal, they will be assessing how well it describes the presentation’s rationale, organization, learner outcomes, the appropriateness of the mode of presentation, innovativeness, importance and timeliness to the field, practical applicability, and program balance. How does presentation address issues related to diverse populations?

Using the WORLD as a Resource:

Young children with special needs

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Knowledge:

Locate websites and other electronic resources:

relevant to child development.

which provide information on syndromes, disabilities, developmental lag, etc.

of professional associations related to young children with special needs, which will link to additional resources.
which provide legal information for parents and educators.
which provide links to community organizations, resources and services

Skills:

Locate websites and other electronic resources:

which provide assistance through support groups Websites, Listservs, and Chats.
which provide suggestions and recommendations on educational programs, social skills training, speech-language therapy, inclusion ideas, etc.
which link to specific services and private organizations

Attitudes:

feel more empowered to seek information and help independently via the World Wide Web.
realize that there are others who have gone through similar experiences regarding their children and/or students.
realize that there are support groups available for even very obscure syndromes and disabilities.
Begin to develop the ability to differentiate between those sites that are not necessarily "reliable", and rely more heavily on professional organizations to supply needed information.

When a caregiver, an early childhood educator or a parent / guardian questions whether the child in their care is developing at a typical pace, a number of sources are often consulted. Education professionals will often consult with their colleagues; the parent often asks another parent, a family member or the pediatrician. Often it is suggested that the child "will grow out of" whatever problem seems to be evident. As many parents and educators can attest, this does not always happen. Although the World Wide Web is, by no means, a substitution for good medical assistance, it is a rich resource that may be consulted to provide information, support, intervention suggestions, etc. Since there is no real overseer for information placed on the World Wide Web, one must become cognizant of sources that may be more reputable than others. Professional organizations such as the Council for Exceptional Children and its many divisions are such a source, providing much information on their website and providing links to others. Other authoritative sites will be visited.

How does this presentation speak to the needs of diverse population?

Each person seeks information and assistance in different ways. Some may feel that some sources are more reliable than others. People trust different sources to provide information more than other sources. Others may choose not to seek information at all. In some cultures or for some individuals, "the old ways" are more reliable than "the new ways". In other cultures and for other individuals, if grandma did it, it can’t be right. Each individual’s methods or views must be honored. Attitudes toward disabilities also vary among cultures, religions, and family traditions. To seek medical intervention for a child with a disability may be contrary to an individual’s beliefs. The individual’s right and preferences and ways of perception must be respected.

Session Participants
Dr. Colleen A. Finegan -- Session Leader and presenter

Colleen Finegan, Ph.D., College of Education and Human Services

376 Millett Hall O 937-775-4582 H 513- 779-9994 FAX 937-775-4855

Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435

colleen.finegan@wright.edu

http://www.ed.wright.edu/fac_staff/stoll/stoll.htm

Ronald G. Helms, Ph.D., College of Education and Human Services

370 Millett Hall O 937-775-4472 H 937-433-2611 FAX 937-775-4855

Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435

ronald.helms@wright.edu

http://www.ed.wright.edu/fac_staff/helms/rhelms.htm

Signature of Proposer: