Special Needs Students: A Teachers Guide

1
Special Needs StudentsA Teachers Guide

• Tiffany N. Fuller
• October 2, 2007

2
Introduction

• Special needs students are being mainstreamed
  more and more often into the 21st century
  classroom
• Elementary teachers will be faced with adapting
  classroom instruction to meet the needs of
  students with varying disabilities.

3
Overview

• Disability Categories
• Classroom Adaptations
• Paperwork
• Parental Involvement
• The Laws

4
Disability Categories

• Learning Disabilities
• Vision Impaired
• Hearing Impaired
• Mental Retardation
• Severe Emotional Disabilities
• Speech/Language
• Orthopedic

• Deaf
• Blind
• Traumatic Brain
• Multiple Disabilities
• Autism
• Other Disabilities

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Classroom Adaptations

• Designing the Physical Environment
• - Instructional Equipment (computers,
  televisions, and auditory learning material)
  must be arranged for monitored student access
  and teacher use.
• - Seating arrangements must accommodate
  independent work and address congestion.
• - Aesthetic features must be considered when
  incorporating physical visuals into the
  classroom.

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Classroom Adaptations

• Instructional Time Management
• - Teachers must be aware of the differing
  levels of instruction time. (e.g. Actual
  instruction time vs. engaged time)
• - Teachers must also have strategies for
  managing their time.
• A good strategy for teachers to initiate a
  lesson is by using
• cues that when said will prompt students to
  engage.
• - Transitional time between instruction must
  be minimal and
• smooth.

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Classroom Adaptations

• Student Grouping and Activity Scheduling
• - Develop a master schedule that is
• consistent and predictable.
• - Group according to individualized
• instruction.

8
Paperwork

• The paperwork for a teacher who has special needs
  children can be overwhelming.
• Aside from state/local forms, there are federal
  laws that govern the services that must be
  provided to a special needs student.

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Parental Involvement

• Many parents are very involved in the education
  of their special needs student.
• Some important things for parents to know
  are as follows
• 1. Positive Parent/Teacher Relationships
• 2. Be Well Informed About Your Childs Needs
• 3. Be a Note Taker
• 4. Know What Records the School is Keeping
• 5. Ask Questions
• 6. Include Your Child
• 7. Remain Positive and Think Positive

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Special Education Laws

• IDEA 2004 Individuals With Disabilities
  Education Act - This law states
  that every
• child is entitled to a free
• appropriate public education
• (FAPE) in the least restrictive
• environment (LRE).
• NCLB 2002 No Child Left Behind
• - This law requires that all
• students must make annual
• yearly progress.

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Conclusion

• Teachers have many things they must attend to in
  a classroom that includes special needs students.
  The categories of disabilities is significant to
  every aspect of instruction, as well as, how to
  adapt the classroom. Knowing the laws concerning
  special needs students is vital to providing the
  LRE. Understanding parental concerns and
  maintaining proper records all contribute to a
  successful educational environment.

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Web References

• LD OnLine (www.ldonline.org)
• - This site offers advice on motivation, an in
  depth glossary of terms, and many different
  strategies and information of social skills.
  This site is great for parents and teachers.
• 2. Council for Exceptional Children
  (www.cec.sped.org)
• - This site provides current information about
  national and local policies. This site is
  especially informative for teachers of special
  needs students.
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
  (LDA) (www.ldaamerica.org)
• - LDA gives information on the latest
  strategies for handling classroom concerns such
  as homework. This site is beneficial for parents
  and teachers.
• About (www.specialed.about.com)
• - About gives a variety of information for
  parents of special needs students.
• Education World (www.education-world.com)
• - This site provides information on any
  discipline or subject in the education field.
  This site is great for any teacher or parent
  looking for anything to do with teaching.

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Print References

• Rosenberg, Michael S., Lawrence J. OShea and
  Dorothy J. OShea. Student Teacher to Master
  Teacher A Practical Guide for Educating Students
  With Special Needs. 2006. Prentice Hall. Upper
  Saddle, NJ.
• Mastropieri, Margo and Scruggs. 2007. The
  Inclusive Classroom,3rd Ed. Prentice Hall, Upper
  Saddle River, NJ.