WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS By: Ms. Crawford

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a plan that is created for each student individually. By creating an IEP it allows for the student, teachers, school administrators, and parents to work as a team to improve the students educational performance with disabilities. Inclusion is an approach that involves the teachers including all of the students. Inclusion happens with students that have disabilities and students that do not have disabilities learn together in the same classroom. Most teachers try to have inclusion in classrooms for students with disabilities because positive academic and social outcomes occur for all of the students. Least Restrictive Environment means that students with disabilities should be provided with the same education opportunity with non-disabled students.

ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) What is ADHD? - “ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric condition in children and is a major reason for referral to a pediatrician, family physician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist or psychologist. An estimated three to five percent of school- age youngsters are affected—more than two million between the ages of 5 and 18. A significant number of them display associated learning disabilities” (Jane Framingham, Ph.D.) Symptoms of ADHD include: - Having a hard time completing schoolwork or tasks that involve concentration - Easily distracted - Goes from one task to another before completing the first one - Procrastination

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH ADHD? Reading: - There are websites that allow students to listen to books on a computer. Students can also either download or burn a book onto a CD to take home with them. Students with ADHD could read a book by listening to the text by audio. - and are great audio websites for children to use to listen to a book being read to them. Math: - Students can use computers to work on different math worksheets. By using a computer to work through problems on a computer, it allows the student to organize the problem. It is also possible for the numbers that are on the screen to be read aloud for the students to hear what the numbers are You can also download “Reflex” as an app on an iPad if students are provided with iPads to use. The app makes it easier for students to learn math facts right at their desk. - By using computers it allows a more interactive way for students to learn math skills. The games that students can learn math skills keeps the students attention rather than setting a worksheet on their desk to complete.

DYSLEXIA What is dyslexia? - Dyslexia is a specific learning disability in reading. Children with dyslexia can have trouble spelling and reading, writing, grammar, language skills, and more. Children with dyslexia can also have a hard time speaking to other people and communicating easily. Dyslexia includes having a hard time breaking down words, comprehending reading skills, spelling words out correctly, and more.

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA? Students with Dyslexia have trouble reading, and there are apps that can support their needs. - Learning Ally Audio is an iPad app that has audiobooks. It allows for students with Dyslexia to hear the book read aloud to them. It has a speed control that allows the student to choose how fast or slow they want the book to be read to them.

HEARING IMPAIRMENT A hearing impairment can be on different levels. Hearing loss involves a person not allowing to hear at all. A person can also have a mild hearing impairment which allows the person to have difficulty hearing. A student or person can have hearing aids to help them hear better.

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS? There are apps on iPads that allow students to maximize the sound quality. “Sound AMP R” and “Sound AMP Lite” are apps that maximize the volume in a clear manner. “Old MacDonald” is an engaging iPad app that develops listening and language skills through games and more.

CONCLUSION QUESTIONS What two big concepts have you learned about assistive technology and special needs students that will help you as you start to spend more time in classrooms? - I have learned that technology can help students with disabilities tremendously. I have learned there are online games, apps, strategies, and more than are available to help students be more engaged and alert, hear documents and more at a maximum volume, and more. I have learned that teachers can set up an IEP that helps the staff, student, teachers, parents, and more to improve the students educational performance. A teacher can include technology in the IEP to support the students needs. I have learned that technology can support students needs through audiobooks. There is technology out there that allows books to be read aloud to students with a reading disability or dyslexia. When I am in a classroom, I can help students on computers with their work. I understand that technology will accommodate the students with their needs. Why is it important to have access to assistive technologies in elementary school settings? - It is important for students to be accessible to technology because it allows students with disabilities to work on education skills in an easier way that accommodates their needs. For example, students with ADHD can use computers to work on math skills rather than having worksheet on their desk. It allows the student to be engaged and catching their attention.

RESOURCES "Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices-- Pg 3." Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices-- Pg 3. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept "Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities." National Center for Learning Disabilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept "What Is Dyslexia? | Difficulties Reading." National Center for Learning Disabilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept "Apps for Students | Dyslexia & Reading Difficulties." National Center for Learning Disabilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept "Hearing Impairment." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Thierry Morlet. The Nemours Foundation, 01 May Web. 22 Sept "Teaching Strategies for Hearing Impaired Students: Disabilities Services: Retention and Student Success." Teaching Strategies for Hearing Impaired Students: Disabilities Services: Retention and Student Success. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept "| AppyMall Best Place to Find Apps for Kids." Curated Apps for Kids with Hearing Loss by Tina Childress. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept