NHTI's Young Children with Autism and Exceptionalities certificate program provides you with the training to work with young children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs and/or with children who may be at risk for developmental delays. You'll learn about young children's development, how to work as part of a trans-disciplinary team, and how to provide early support and services to young children in natural environments such as the home or child care program. All courses can be applied to NHTI's Early Care and Education for Young Children with Disabilities degree program. This program is financial aid-eligible.
Do you have questions? Contact Diana Menard, department chair, at dmenard@ccsnh.edu or 603-271-6484 x4281.
Apply for this program today on our Admissions page with step-by-step instructions and enrollment pathways build just for you!
The courses in the Early Childhood Education Entry-Level Certificate meet the training and education requirements for the State of N.H. Early Childhood Teacher Credential, Level 4.
Accreditation
This program has been developed using the N.H. competencies required for Ed 610.02 Professional Education and Ed 507.02 Teachers of Career and Technical Education.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the program will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of young children’s characteristics and needs to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
- Implement various interventions for young children with ASD and children with disabilities across all developmental domains.
- Demonstrate an understanding of developmentally effective approaches which emphasize positive relationships and supportive interactions to influence outcomes for individual children.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of relevant professional, legal, and regulatory guidelines for serving every child.
- Demonstrate that they know about, understand, and value the importance of creating respectful, reciprocal relationships to support and empower families in their communities.
- Demonstrate the ability to participate in early intervention and special needs interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrate a variety of early childhood field experiences.
Program-Specific Requirements
- Students will spend designated hours each week with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or kindergarteners while taking early childhood courses. These hours will be considered a component of class participation. NHTI has an onsite lab school to meet the needs of these required lab hours. All students are expected to use the onsite lab school unless they work full-time in a licensed child care center or are 100% online and live at a distance from the NHTI campus that prohibits in-person attendance.
- Upon acceptance into the program, students must complete the following paperwork:
- A complete set of electronic fingerprints completed by the Department of Safety
- Submission of a criminal record check that comes back clear or non-disqualifying; the cost
associated with the fingerprinting and criminal record check is the responsibility of the student. - Completion of the licensing child care personnel health form by a licensed health provider
indicating the student is in good physical health and has no mental or emotional disturbances that would prohibit him/her from caring for children in a group setting - Signed confidentiality form
- Other related documents distributed by the department chair
- Out-of-state students who are taking classes 100% online will need to complete their state’s fingerprinting and background check, child health care form, and any other paperwork required by that state.
- Students must have transportation to and from NHTI approved practicum sites in their senior year.
- Students must have a flexible schedule that allows them to spend weekday mornings and/or afternoons at their practicum site while taking classes. Students should be prepared to plan work hours around their course schedule knowing that these hours will change each semester.
- All students must have access to a digital camera and video-capturing device to complete assignments. Online students will record themselves during practicum to share with their practicum teachers online.
cholarship Program
CCSNH partners with Granite State College to offer tuition assistance to child care providers who are entering or are currently working in the field of early care and education. Eligible individuals must be working at least 20 hours per week. For more information, contact Diana Menard, department chair of Child and Family Studies, at 603-271-6484 x4281 or dmenard@ccsnh.edu. For additional information, visit the CCSNH page on early childhood education tuition assistance here.
There is also a scholarship available for this program through T.E.A.C.H. NH (click here for flyer). The T.E.A.C.H. NH Scholarship Program supports the cost of tuition and books, offers paid release time from work for scholarship recipients, and has a bonus upon completing 9-12 credits within a 12-month period. To be eligible, applicants must live in N.H. and work at least 30 hours a week in a licensed childcare program. Information and applications are available on the N.H. Connections site.
