Methods and resources for working with students with special needs

By: Brian Liberatore ITEC-7530

What is Special Education?

Special Education is instruction that has been specially designed to meet the needs of students whom have met state and/or federal criteria to be classified as disabled.

Question 1:Does the child have a

disability?

Question 2:Does the disability affect

the education of the student?

If both criteria are met after evaluations, the student is eligible to receive Special Education services.

Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/Initial_eva

Disabilities recognized by the Georgia Department of education as eligible for special education services:Autism, Deaf-Blind, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Emotional Behavior Disorder, Mild/Moderate/Severe/or Profound Intellectual Disability, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Significant Developmental Delay (up until age 9), Specific Learning Disability, Speech-Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment. Often children with a medical diagnosis may also be eligible under one of these categories.

Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/Initial_eva

Inclusion:

“Inclusion considers that all students are full members of the school community and are entitled to the opportunities and responsibilities that are available to all students in the school.”

Least Restrictive Environment section 612, part (a) of the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act of 1997

“IN GENERAL..To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

Instruction, O. o. (n/a). Inclusive Learning Environments for Students With Special Needs . Retrieved June 12, 2010, from New Horizons For Learning: http://www.newhorizons.org/spneeds/inclusion/front_inclusion.htm

No-Tech Non-electronic Examples:

Copies of lecture notes and fill-in-the-blank outlines.

Student access to dictionaries and thesauruses during writing activities.

Modified pencil grip Raised lined paper Braille books and

handouts

Low-Tech Electronic devices

that provide a limited functional ability and lack sophisticated computer components.

Examples: Talking watch Voice recorder Electronic

dictionary/thesaurus

Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

High-Tech devices which utilize a

computer and software to provide multifunctional use .

Examples: Notebook computers Word processing software Email Text-to-speech software Video broadcasting of

classes for students unable to attend.

LCD projector/SmartBoard

Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest:

http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

Kelvin, Dominick, and Shiranta Diagnosed with ADHD Assistive Technologies/

Interventions Keep oral instructions brief Letting the students read smaller

passages Dividing larger assignments into

smaller sections Keep instruction fast paced High levels of participation and

motivation during activities Peer partners

Sarah Diagnosed with hearing

disability Requires assistive hearing

device Other Assistive

Technologies/Practices: If student seems inattentive,

make sure hearing aid is turned on and check the battery.

Utilize FM transmitter system to amplify your voice

Sign Language interpreter Note taker Voice-to-text software and

projector Printed lecture notes to be

given to the student

America, One Hundred Fifth Congress of. (1997, January 7). Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 1997. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/idea/idea.pdf

Assistive Technology 101. (2010). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from The Family Center on Technology and Disability: http://www.fctd.info/factsheet/at101

Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm

Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/Initial_eva

Education, N. C. (2006). Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT? Retrieved June 12, 2010, from LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088

Office of State Superintendent of Public. (n/a). Inclusive Learning Environments for Students With Special Needs . Retrieved June 12, 2010, from New Horizons For Learning: http://www.newhorizons.org/spneeds/inclusion/front_inclusion.htm