...Running head: EDUCATING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS Educating Special Needs Students March 12, 2012 Educating Special Needs Students Most people have seen or heard about child or adults with disabilities, some may even have come in contact or have a person like this in their family. No matter what the case may be disabilities have been around for generations and are just now getting the recognition and help it really deserves. So, what are some disabilities and how do some child have them and some do not. So let’s take a look at a few definitions of some disabilities and their causes and then most importantly what the education system is doing to help them cope and learn to live in today’s society with skills and knowledge that they have strengths in doing. Autism- “a variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships, by impairment of the ability to communicate with others, and by stereotyped behavior patterns as is defined by Webster dictionary. The word autism was first used in 1943:”. (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated , 2012) From the medical association it is defined as: Autism is known as a complex developmental disability. “Experts believe that Autism presents itself during the first three years of a person's life. The condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting development of the person's communication...
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...the Barriers: twice-exceptional students There are many different aspects to the special education system. One area of interest is the best practice teaching strategies in a direct instruction (DI)/special room as it pertains to students with a disability. In particular, students with disabilities who have the cognitive ability to do grade level work or higher in order to meet the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) where they can excel academically which some scholars referred to as the “twice exceptional.” The recent studies of twice-exceptional students are limited, but there are several scholarly authors moving forward with continuing research. There are many different works over special education and the different roles played...
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...forever affect the students that I will encounter. To me my role is more than being a teacher; I play an intricate part in how children perceive education. For the year that I teach those students it will be my actions that will entice children to want to be in school and learn. I will be in the position not only in educating them, but to get to know them as individuals. I believe that by assessing each student for their individual qualities I will be able to provide differentiated instructions to connect with each student. My direction in education is to teach middle school science. I chose the subject of science because I feel that this subject can be difficult to understand and overwhelming. I know for me, I had to work hard to learn and understand certain topics in science. But because of my teachers and the way they taught; I began to love science. That is what inspired me to want to become a science teacher. I look forward to creating a curriculum that will challenge students to apply concepts and analyze results. I want to witness children not only learning, but becoming involved in their education. I see myself as a teacher following several theories immersed in education. One theory I accept as a true concept is the constructivism theory. Susan Doherty who is teacher and believed in the constructivism theory wrote: One key, I think, is to allow and encourage the students to ask and seek the answers to their own questions. In this way, students’ minds and hearts...
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...Introduction Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is one of the leading causes of birth defects in the United States. Moreover, FAS appears to be the most common cause of preventable mental retardation. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.) Each year between 5,000 and 12,000 American babies are born with the condition. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.)Thus, each year roughly 5,000 to 12,000 American children are entering into the educational system. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.) Therefore, our nations public schools should be both properly funded and prepared in the classroom to educate children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.) Overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a collection of symptoms that when appearing together indicate the specific FAS condition. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.), see also (Wilkemeyer, Menkari, Spong & Charness, 2002) FAS is caused when by a woman's ingestion of any type pf alcohol during pregnancy. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.), see also (Wilkemeyer, Menkari, Spong & Charness, 2002) The alcohol travels through the pregnant woman's bloodstream and through the placenta to the unborn fetus. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.), see also (Wilkemeyer, Menkari, Spong & Charness, 2002) In other word's, the developing baby is also processing and metabolizing the alcohol that has passed to it from the pregnant mother. (“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome”, n.d.), see also (Wilkemeyer, Menkari, Spong & Charness, 2002) Once...
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...we have biased influences and labels we use to describe someone “different.” This is why educating society on the “exceptional” individuals in our society is crucial. As we all know, we do not live in an entirely compassionate society, therefore, educating communities, schools and society on people with disabilities is key. Knowledge is power! We need to better understand ourselves, so that we can better understand others. Sonyboy Fugaban states: There is a rhythm in life, a certain beauty which operates by a variation of lights and shadows, happiness alternating with sorrow, content with discontent, distilling in this process of contrast a sense of satisfaction, of richness that can be captured and pinned down only by those who possess the gift of awareness (Fugaban, 2011). We are all imperfect in an imperfect world. God creates us equal, no matter what disability or challenges we face. Everyone deserves the chance for a fair education and proper treatment. The term “special needs” may stir up many different emotions in people. Fear is a common response to these two words. With proper education, fear can be replaced with empathy and understanding. There are many social implications of attitude, legislation and litigation on the lives of students with disabilities. Everyone has many different views and emotions on the topic. Thinking has changed regarding the understanding of students with disabilities. Society...
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...This could justify need for differentiation but could it also justify a need for a special education program? To answer the question pose, first we have to answer why there is a need for a special education program? Horace Mann explains it more eloquently; he says “education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance wheel of the social machinery”. Personally, I feel this quote explains the need for special education. Educating students with disabilities levels the playing field with their peers and enhancing the studies of those children with special gifts and talents advances their learning. Students with learning disabilities should be educated in the least restrictive environment, those gifted should be among peers with similar strengths and all their abilities and inabilities should be accommodated. Special education is the legal definition of programs that provide greater support for certain students and is sometimes referred to as (EC). Exceptional students does not refer to a specific location or fixed concept, however, to include a broader range of services from a smaller individualized learning environments, to assistive technology, and/or a modified curriculum that capitalizes on student’s particular strengths. Under that law in the Individualized Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all students should be provided specialized services that are contingent upon their needs. Knowingly...
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...Understanding the history of special education is necessary to grasp its value today. After the 1970’s it was decided there was a growing need for reform when it came to educating children with disabilities. Over the years there have been many pieces of legislation introduced to aid in improving our nation’s special education program. Perhaps one of the most important, being the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As early as 1970, people began to recognize the need for educational legislation on behalf of students with disabilities. Before that time schools were allowed to discriminate and segregate as well as deny education to certain students. Since Brown vs. the Board of Education educational legislation has been vital to developing the best special education programs. What is Special Education? Special education is designed to give opportunities and teaching to students with disabilities that affect their life and learning (Heward, 2009). Special education provides a curriculum that is specialized and individually intensive. The lessons are intensive and goal directed for each student. Special education teachers work in conjunction with general education teachers to provide adequate lessons. In many instances, special curriculum, along with unique materials is used to aid in educating the students (Heward, 2009). Instruction takes place in the general classroom as well as other designated special education classrooms. ...
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...educate ASD students is using visual aids. According to Ben-Arieh & Miller (2009), ASD students are more interested in pictures rather than listening to being lectured. “Visual transitioning schedules are an absolute must for all ASD students” (Ben-Arieh & Miller, 2009, p.33). ASD students should have a certain schedule of their own, no matter their abilities or disabilities (p.33). It is important for teachers to display these visual aids where ASD students can easily identify their schedule for the day. These visual aids will help the students know what is going on in class, what will happen later on and so forth. Visual aids can also be used for the students to communicate back and forth with the teacher. There are several ways to do visual aids for these students: whether using objects, a chart, pictorials, manila folders etc. (Ben-Arieh & Miller, 2009). Another fun way to provide learning for ASD students is to have them to think aloud because it will help them predict, question, clarify and summarize a paragraph or segment from the story assigned for the day (Davis, 2013). This method of teaching is commonly used in...
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...refers to the movement that all students with disabilities, regardless of type or severity, are educated full time in a general education classroom and program. This method would allow disabled children to make friends with “normal” children and be given the opportunity to learn in a stimulating environment, where they can get the “real world” education that they will need to be able to fit into society and flourish as productive members. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students with special needs are entitled to a full, free, public education in regular educational programs and settings. The inclusion classroom would provide exactly that, a setting for these students to interact with their peers of all ability levels, thus most accurately mirroring the real world outside of school. At current most schools in the United States do not use the method of full inclusion. The current trend in education is to use either mainstreaming or what is considered the least restrictive environment (Feldman 273). Mainstreaming refers to the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes during specific time periods based on their skills. This means regular education classes are combined with special education classes. Least Restrictive Environment refers to the concept that children with disabilities should be educated to the maximum extent possible with children who are not disabled while meeting all their learning needs and physical requirements. The...
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...meet the needs of students that have disabilities and gifted students. The history of special education have covered many issues throughout the years. There have been many laws and regulations created to help protect individuals with disabilities. This paper will report on the past history of special education, the laws associated with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and how the current and future challenges of special education affect the laws. What is Special Education? Special Education was created to teach students with disabilities at no cost to the parents. Special Education in the past involved schools that did not support or recognize students with disabilities. Today Special Education have progressed to provide services to all students no matter what their disabilities are. Special Education is a program that establish guidelines and expectations that teachers, parents, and students follow, in order for the student to receive the proper help they need (Heward, 2009). Disabilities could be labeled as physical, mental, emotional, or gifted. Special Education are services that are put in place after an evaluation process of the student. The services offered by the Special Education program would be offered to students inside the classroom, as well as being pulled out of the classroom for one-on-one attention. Special education offers education to students who may require additional support to be successful students in school. All students with disabilities...
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...educational approach of inclusion as a means to address the needs of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In observing students who are a part of the inclusive environment, it is evident that they benefit from social encounters however, in observing their academic progress, in such areas as analysis and critical thinking; it becomes clear that it is important to reevaluate the total inclusion experience. In understanding inclusion, one must become familiar with its definition. Inclusion is an educational approach whereby special need children are integrated with nondisabled children in the general education setting. In recent educational development and over the past 20 year’s inclusion as an exclusive tool for disseminating education has been called into question. As teachers face countless challenges in providing instruction to children diagnosed with autism, so do these children find it difficult to learn, to process and retain the information? In my professional experience and interactions with educators, it has been concluded that considerable work is needed in regards to reaching these students cognitively in the inclusive environment. As an experienced and veteran teacher working with special needs children, this inclusion approach has led me to rethink the way it has been defined and the way it has been employed in the general education setting. This widely used and accepted approach to educating children with disabilities, especially those children on...
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...SPE-226 Educating the Exceptional Learner Benchmark Assignment: Teaching for Exceptionalities Braydon Smith Grand Canyon University: SPE226 15 November 2013 Abstract This paper reflects on the teacher candidate’s observations of the student “Junior” and the various accommodations that were made for him in various classroom settings. It also discusses different accommodations that could be made in general education classes and special education classes. The paper discusses the need for high school students to be self-advocating or self-determining and learning to make decisions on his or her own. SPE-226 Educating the Exceptional Learner Benchmark Assignment: Teaching for Exceptionalities Students with exceptionalities are a breed all their own. Each student has individual strengths, weaknesses, and individualized education programs/plans (IEPs) tailored to those needs. There are many resources, accommodations, and settings for these students to help ensure their academic success. One particular student, herein called “Junior,” is a mixed bag of interesting. Junior’s cognitive abilities are on par with his classmates. However, he needs help with reading, writing, and other social and behavioral skills. He likes to engage in discussion, enjoys music, and is diligent in his work. Observing him, his teachers, and other various special education classrooms has given valuable information to increase my teaching strategies. Inclusive Math Class Junior’s first period class...
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...Educating Special Needs Students Educating Special Needs Students Successful teaching, in general, calls for creativity, patience, flexibility, patience, expertise and a lot of patience. Successful teaching of special needs students magnifies the importance of these traits even more so. Mental retardation, autism, severe and even multiple disabilities, while posing additional impact and challenges on the education process for students, these issues are in no way insurmountable. Well thought out curriculum plans implemented through special policy, services, and programs are necessary to ensure that any student has every opportunity available to them for a successful education experience that will carry through beyond their student years. Mental retardation is descriptive of a disability that includes both intellectual as well as behavioral problems and until recently, was often used as a blanket statement to cover a wide variety, if not all, disabilities. In 2006, The American Association on Mental Retardation changed its name to The American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAID, 2009) to reflect a change in this attitude. They state that “intellectual disability is one that is characterized by significant limits both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills (AAID, 2009). While a number of the causes of intellectual disabilities are still...
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...interact. She was able to observe and identify how dynamic and unique the nurse patient relationship is. Peplau knew that nursing was more than a task oriented profession. She was able to describe and define how practicing nursing is an art of healing. She acknowledged the human aspect of nursing rather than the concentration of the clinical components such as lab results or diagnoses. Peplau’s theory defines and explains the different phases of the interpersonal process. She goes into detail with the roles of the nurse and the four key components being Nursing, Person, Environment and Health. As a nurse educator Peplau’s Theory can be applied to both the role as a nurse educator with the interaction between my students and the patients while at clinical observing the students. This theory is best defined as the dynamics of the human...
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...Running Head: Educating Special Needs Students Educating Special Needs Students Necandra L. Thompson SPE 525 Professor Tricia D. Troiano Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to define and identify the causes of mental retardation, autism and severe disabilities. In addition, it will discuss the areas of the curriculum which is necessary for students with these severe disabilities. Mental Retardation is defined, when a person has a certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of themselves and social skills. The cause of mental retardation according to doctors is genetic conditions, in which this is caused by abnormal genes inherited from parents. Some examples of this are genetic conditions of Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and phenlketonuria (PKU). Mental retardation is not a type of mental illness, there is no cure for it (The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NDCCD), 2004). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines mental retardation as, “significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, which adversely affects a child's educational performance (2004)”. NDCCD identifies mental retardation as “a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or herself, and social skills....
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