Intellectual Disability Studies (Teacher Summer Courses) - Online Course

This course is particularly suitable for teachers, school staff and education professionals who want to strengthen inclusive practice for learners with intellectual disabilities. It may also be relevant for psychologists, occupational therapists, preschool teachers, early years educators, AIM support workers, SNAs and other professionals supporting children and young people in education and care settings.

It is designed for both experienced practitioners and those newer to this area. Whether you are looking to update your knowledge, reflect on your current approach, or build confidence in applying practical inclusive strategies, this course offers a structured and supportive learning experience.

You may find this course especially useful if you want to:

• update your understanding of intellectual disability in educational contexts

• reflect on how cognitive, adaptive, communication and environmental factors influence participation

• explore practical strategies to support inclusion, independence and engagement

• connect professional learning to classroom improvement and reflective practice

The course is structured across five modules, with a strong focus on practical application, reflective practice and inclusive school improvement.

Key areas include:

• definitions and models of intellectual disability

• cognitive and adaptive functioning

• communication development and social participation

• rights-based and strengths-based approaches

• environmental factors influencing inclusion

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

• curriculum adaptation and differentiated instruction

• task analysis and scaffolded teaching

• structured teaching approaches and visual supports

• person-centred planning in schools

• supporting adaptive and functional skills

• evaluating inclusive practice and measuring impact

• planning next steps using the School Self Evaluation (SSE) cycle

Participants work through a structured process of identifying a focus area, gathering evidence, implementing strategies and evaluating impact in their own professional context.

Online delivery through a secure learning platform, combining asynchronous learning, guided tasks, moderated forums and offline professional application.

Assessment is practical, formative and closely linked to professional practice. There is no examination component.

Participants complete structured assignments, reflective tasks, forum contributions and classroom-based implementation activities. These are designed to support meaningful application of learning in real settings.

Facilitator support includes:

• ongoing tutor guidance and engagement monitoring

• feedback on assignments and reflective work

• moderated discussion forums

• support with applying learning to practice

• early intervention where additional support may be needed

Feedback focuses on practical application, inclusive practice and reflection on impact.

Forus Training is committed to supporting learners to participate as fully as possible in their course. Learners who may need reasonable accommodation or additional support are encouraged to contact their Course Advisor as early as possible so that appropriate supports can be discussed.

Participants who successfully complete the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion, co-signed by the tutor and course director.

This course may support your continuing professional development. Please check with your employer or relevant professional body regarding recognition requirements.

After completing this course, learners may wish to continue their professional development through further short courses, workshops or advanced study in areas such as inclusive education, special educational needs, neurodiversity, communication support, structured teaching or school improvement.

The course may also support ongoing reflective practice and future SSE-related professional learning within educational settings.