“A child with special needs.. requires love, requires guidance, requires encouragement, requires positive influences, requires a life teacher… JUST LIKE ALL OTHER CHILDREN”.
Every child needs someone to believe in them, no matter how different they may be. They deserve a chance to realise their potential and find their place in the world. God has endowed each one of us with certain skills and abilities, and it is our responsibility to help those who struggle to find their way in life. This is where the concept of special education comes into play.
Let’s now talk about special education meaning, purpose, and its significance. Also, what are the different types of special educational needs?
What is Special Education?
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), “special education” is instruction specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability. IDEA defines “disability” as a child who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, speaking, or walking.
Students with disabilities may receive special education in a variety of settings, including general education classrooms, special education classrooms, homebound instruction, and vocational training programs. The student and his or her family are not charged for special ed services.
Purpose of Special Education
The purpose of special education is to ensure that all students with disabilities have an opportunity to receive a free and appropriate public education that meets their unique needs.
Importance of Special Education
Special education is important for students with disabilities because it provides the individualised instruction and support that these students need in order to succeed in school. Special education can help students with disabilities to:
- Learn and master grade-level content
- Earn high school diplomas or certificates
- Prepare for postsecondary education and careers
- Develop social skills and independence
Types of Special Education
There are many different disabilities that students may have. A few examples are autism spectrum disorders, deafness, and intellectual disability. Each disability affects a student in different ways, so it is important to understand what each student’s needs are in order to help them succeed.
1. Specific Learning Disability
A specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a person’s ability to comprehend information. It can impact any area of learning, including reading, writing, and math. SLDs are caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain injury, and exposure to toxins. There are many different types of specific learning disabilities, each with its own set of symptoms. Some of the more common learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. Though each person with a specific learning disability experiences different challenges, there are some common characteristics that often occur.
- People with a specific learning disability may have difficulty with phonemic awareness, which is the ability to identify and manipulate the individual sounds that make up words.
- They may also have difficulty with phonology, which is the understanding of how words are put together to form sentences. As a result, these individuals may have trouble with reading and spelling.
- People face difficulties with mathematical concepts. They may be unable to understand basic concepts such as addition and subtraction, or they may have difficulty with more complex concepts such as algebra. These individuals may also have trouble with time and money concepts.
- People with a specific learning disability may also have difficulty with spoken language. They may have trouble understanding what others are saying and getting their thoughts and ideas across to others. They may also have a difficult time with vocabulary and grammar.
2. Autism Spectrum Disorder
A neurological condition called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has an impact on a person’s ability to connect and communicate with others. It is a wide-ranging condition that can affect people in different ways. Some people with ASD are very high-functioning and can live relatively normal lives, while others require a lot of assistance and support.
- A person with ASD may have trouble understanding what others are saying, or they may not be able to hold a conversation. They may also be less interested in social activities.
- ASD can also cause problems with behavior and emotions. A person with ASD may have trouble regulating their emotions or they may act out in ways that are socially unacceptable.
The most common treatments for ASD are behavioral therapies, which aim to help the child learn new skills and behaviors. Medications can also help manage the symptoms of ASD.
3. Speech or Language Impairment
A speech or language impairment is a communication disorder that affects an individual’s ability to speak, write, or understand language. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including damage to the brain or nervous system, delayed development, and hearing loss.
The signs and symptoms of SLI vary depending on the individual and the severity of the impairment.
Some common symptoms include:
- Difficulty speaking in complete sentences
- Difficulty understanding what others are saying
- Difficulty following multi-step directions
- Difficulty with pronunciation
- Inability to read aloud
- Difficulty writing
There are many different ways that speech or language impairments can be treated. Some common treatments include speech therapy, special education, and medications. During speech therapy, the therapist works with the child to help them improve their speech. This may include working on articulation, fluency, and vocabulary. Special education is another common treatment for speech or language impairments.
4. Emotional Disturbance
An emotional disturbance is a mental illness that can disrupt a person’s ability to function in their everyday lives. Emotional disturbances can affect a person’s mood, thoughts, and behavior. Some common emotional disturbances include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
- Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive fear or worry. People with anxiety disorders may experience intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, or excessive worry about everyday things.
- Mood disorders are characterised by abnormal mood swings. People with mood disorders may experience episodes of depression or mania.
Emotional disturbances can be very disruptive for students in a regular education classroom. Special education can help students with emotional disturbances learn things more effectively. The teachers in a special education classroom are specially trained, which can be very helpful for these students. It can also help students build relationships with other students who have similar struggles.
5. Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability is a term used to describe a person with significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. This means that someone with an intellectual disability has difficulty understanding and responding to everyday situations and activities. Intellectual disability can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic disorders, traumatic brain injury (TBI), extreme prematurity, etc.
People with an intellectual disability may have difficulty with activities such as:
– Learning to read, write, or do math
– Caring for themselves, such as dressing, bathing, and using the restroom.
– Following directions
– Interacting with others
Intellectual Disability is treated in a variety of ways, depending on the individual’s needs. Some common treatments include special education, speech, and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
6. Visual Impairment/Blindness
Visual impairment, also called blindness, is a decreased ability to see. It can be caused by many things, including diseases, injuries, or problems with the eye or the optic nerve. Vision impairment can range from mild to severe. These people have difficulty seeing, performing basic tasks, or even functioning in society. They often feel isolated and alone, since many people do not understand what it is like to live with this disability.
For people with visual impairments or blindness, special education needs are often required in order to help them attain the same level of education as their peers. With right guidance, these individuals can achieve great success in school and beyond.
7. Deafness
Generally, deafness is a loss of hearing. There are many different types of deafness, each with its own set of challenges. While some deaf students may be able to lipread, many are not able to do so and must rely on sign language to communicate.
One of the biggest challenges for deaf students is that they often miss out on important auditory information. This can make it difficult for them to keep up with what is going on in class and can lead to them falling behind in their studies.
As a society, we have a duty to ensure that everyone has access to quality education. For deaf students, this means providing access to special education programs that meet their unique needs. It includes accommodations like sign language interpretation, note-taking, and preferential seating.
8. Developmental Disabilities
A developmental disability is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that affects a person’s ability to perform activities that are important to their daily life. Developmental disabilities can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic disorders, infections, environmental exposures, and trauma. Some of the most common developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. Each of these disabilities can impact a person’s life in different ways, so it is important to understand what each one entails.
The outlook for the future of developmental disabilities is hopeful. There are many new treatments and therapies being developed all the time, and with a better understanding of the causes of developmental disabilities, we are getting closer to finding cures for many of them. In addition, society is becoming more aware and accepting of people with developmental disabilities, and there are more resources available than ever before to help them lead fulfilling lives.
Education is the basic right of every child, and no physical abilities must interfere with a child’s learning capabilities. That’s why it is important to find the best special education school for a child with special needs. There are many schools out there, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for your child.
Academic Heights Public School (AHPS) is a great institution for students with disabilities to get the education and support they need. The school provides a variety of programs to help students with special needs overcome their challenges and succeed. It offers a safe and secure learning environment. Most of the time, parents themselves are unsure about the need for special education for their ward. The school focuses on each child’s needs separately, and a unique guidance program is designed for every individual child. AHPS Indore can help create a bright future for your special child. To know more about the facilities, visit: ahpsindore.in
FAQs
What is FBA in special education?
FBA stands for “functional behavior assessment.” This is a process that is used to identify the reasons why a student is engaging in specific behaviors. A functional behavior assessment will typically include a review of the student’s educational history as well as an observation of the student’s behavior. This will help identify any patterns or triggers for the behavior. It will also help to determine the impact of the behavior on the student’s education and/or on those around them.
Once the assessment is complete, a plan can be put in place to address the behavior. This may include specific interventions or supports that will help the student better manage their behavior.
What is an ITP in special education?
An ITP is an individualised treatment plan. It is created for each student with special needs. The document includes the student’s specific goals and the interventions that will be used to help them achieve those goals. The ITP is updated regularly to reflect the student’s progress.
What is the most common category of special education?
The most common category of special education is for people with specific learning disabilities. This includes difficulties with reading, writing, math, or other academic skills. Other common types of special education services include:
- Speech and language impairments
- Emotional and behavioral disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Intellectual disabilities
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairments
- Visual impairments
- Hearing impairments
What is a special education teacher?
A special education teacher is a teacher who specialises in teaching students who have disabilities. They work with students to help them overcome their difficulties and participate more actively in the general education curriculum.
What is assistive technology for special education?
Assistive technology for special education is any device or tool that helps a student with a disability participate in the general education curriculum. This can include items like adjustable desks and chairs, braces, communication devices, and software programs that help with reading and writing. Assistive technology is an important part of special education as it helps students achieve their fullest potential in the classroom.