The Definition of Special Needs

The special educational requirements of those with learning difficulties, emotional or behavioural problems or physical disabilities (Dictionary.com)

Every child has basic needs (physical, emotional, social,..) but children with special needs have additional needs on top of these basic needs.

Special Needs are divided into two categories: 1. High Incidence Special Needs 2. Low Incidence Special Needs

High Incidence special needs are special needs that occur fairly frequently, such as Borderline general learning disability, Mild general learning disability and Specific learning disability.

Low Incidence special needs are special needs that occur relatively infrequently, such as Physical disability, Hearing impairment, Visual impairment, Emotional disturbance, Autism/autistic spectrum disorders.

The History of Special Needs Provision in Ireland

According to Swan, the History of special needs provision in Ireland was divided into three stages;

The era of neglect and denial
The era of the special school
The era of inclusion and/or integration

In the era of neglect and denial the education of children with special needs was deemed unnecessary as the Government only recognized their needs as medical. Children were housed in asylums, hospitals and County homes. At this time the government also established the National Education System and made school attendance mandatory for all children deemed “normal”.

In the mid 1900’s the need to educate children with special needs was recognized and special schools were established and run by religious orders to keep them separate from mainstream schools as it was believed that children with special needs should not be educated with “normal” children as it was thought to be damaging to the education of children without special needs.
The assessment of these