Education for Students

with Special Needs

By: Martha Stevenson

Special Education Categories

Autistic Seriously emotionally

disabled Deaf-Blind Hearing impaired Intellectually disabled Orthopedically

impaired

Other health impaired (includes ADHD)

Specific learning disabled (includes dyslexia)

Speech/language disabled

Visually Impaired

The Special Education Process Identifying students with special needs

Most schools do screen testing to identify children with special needs

Initial evaluation is usually conducted by a school psychologist

Special Education Referal Process

Child must be “referred” to be evaluated for possible special education services

Referral: must be in writing, dated, addressed to principal, state reason for referral in terms of lack of educational performance

Child can be referred by the parent or an educator

The parents must agree for the evaluation to proceed

Special Education Eligibility Developmental delay

Cognitive development Physical development Communication development Social-emotional development Adaptive development

Child must have a disability that interferes with educational progress

As a result of the disability, the child must need special education.

Special education is designed to to meet the unique needs of the child

Special Education Categories

Autistic Seriously emotionally

disabled Deaf-Blind Hearing impaired Multi-handicapped Intellectually disabled Orthopedically impaired Developmentally delayed

(up to age 8)

Other health impaired (includes ADHD)

Specific learning disabled (includes dyslexia)

Speech/language disabled

Traumatic brain injured Visually Impaired

Effective Instructions of Students With Special Needs

Teachers should Design instruction in separate classrooms or in a small setting in possible

One on One system in which an individual is communicating with one another person

Individual Needs

Develop an IEP IEP is a “blueprint” for the child’s special

education Contains annual goals Specifies how much/what kind of special

education student will get Specifies the setting in which the services

will be delivered Specifies accommodations

IEP must be written by a team of persons knowledgeable about the child and the child’s needs, including parents

IEP must be revised at least once a year

Available Services

Federal and state laws provide certain services Begins with free, multidisciplinary

evaluation within 45 days of referral Coordinated through Children’s

Developmental Services Agency Eligible children qualify for an IFSP –

Individualized Family Service Plan Child Service Coordinator will help family

access array of services