Special Needs- refers circumstances that cause a child’s physical, cognitive, and behavioral development to vary significantly from the norm.

Disabilities, such as vision problems, limited mobility, mental retardation or learning difficulties

Develop more quickly are gifted

Key laws concerning children with special needs include› Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

(IDEA) Guarantees free special education and

related services to all children with disabilities ages thee to 21.

Parent must be included Related services may include speech,

physical, or occupational therapies.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)› Discrimination on the basis of disability› All children be eligible for child care

services, despite their special needs Rehabilitation Act, Section 504

› Prohibits discrimination against person with disabilities

› Equal chance to be successful

Sometimes changes are made in the classroom (accommodations)

Hearing problem interfere with a language development and other areas of learning.

Can be challenging Example of ways to communicate:

hearing aids, sign language, lip-reading, visual helps

Often memorize room set-up to help identify clear pathways.

High contrast color tape along the edges of furniture give visual cues.

Plastic labels with raised print or Braille labels.

Mark different parts for the room with items that can be felt, heard, or smelled.

Limiting cognitive associations. Diminish curiosity Must use the child’s other senses to

motivate learning Use words and hands-on experiences

as much as possible.

Building is accessible Wheelchair, doors and pathways need

to be wide enough for easy access. Faucets must be easy to operate. Double handled cups Puzzle pieces fitted with large knobs Raised sand boxes Chair and seat straps of children who

cannot easily sit

Shorter-than-average attention spans Motor skills and eye-hand coordination

affected Less emotional control According to their developmental

abilities, not their chronological ages. Short clear directions

A disorder that affects the way the brain processes information is called a learning disability.

Caused by errors in fetal brain development, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy, problems during birth, or toxins in the environment.

Aphasia› Language impairment that affects a child’s

use of speech and understanding of language.

Dyslexia› Letters may appear backwards of jumbled

or seen to move around the page.] Dyscalcula

› Unable to count objects or recognize basic shapes.

Reasoning and memory disorders› Severe head injuries› Difficulty organizing learned facts or

organizing and integrating thoughts› Trouble remembering instructions and

what they have learned.

Mental Retardation› May be characterized by less than average

intelligence and limited adaptive skills› Permanent condition

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)› Disorder of the central nervous system› Lack of certain brain chemicals› Difficulty paying attention and following

instructions› Aggressive, impulsive, and overly active› Not a learning disability› May be treated with certain medications

Autism› Affecting communication and social

interaction› A brain disorder that impacts normal

development› Symptoms

Repeated actions Very sensitive to touch, sound, light, or smell

› Not easy to diagnose

The classroom atmosphere should be a calm, consistent, and nurturing

Asthma Epilepsy Diabetes

Signs indicating giftedness include› A good memory and advanced vocabulary› Developmental skills are acquired earlier› Creativity in inventing and problem solving› Good sense of humor› Talent for making plans and organizing

tasks Need programs that challenge

Loose interest and do not bother May misbehave out of boredom

› Plan enrichment activities› Plan group projects› Include field trips and special visitors

Inclusion is being educated with children who are not disabled whenever possible

Have enriching experiences experiences for all children

Value diversity› Compassion, respect, and appreciation for

all Recognize and cope with their

strengths and limitations Comfortable with disabilities instead of

fearful

Participate in an everyday setting

Provide ways for parents to interact with other parents of special needs children

Early intervention programs› Younger than age of three

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)› Plan created to make sure goals ore set to

meet a child's overall needs› Assessment of a child’s development,

goals for development› Specific ways to promote and support

family’s involvement

For children ages three and older: School administration, parents,

teachers, and specialists work together to create an IEP (Individualized Education Program)

Is required by the IDEA law

IEP will include:

Current level of child’s abilities Annual goals for child’s development Short-term educational goals Educational services to be provided Procedure for determining if goals are

being met Degree to which student will be

included in regular education classrooms