Methods and resources for working with students with special needs By: Brian Liberatore ITEC-7530

 What is Special Education?  Special Education is instruction that has been specially designed to meet the needs of students whom have met state and/or federal criteria to be classified as disabled.

 Question 1: Does the child have a disability?  Question 2: Does the disability affect the education of the student? If both criteria are met after evaluations, the student is eligible to receive Special Education services. Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education:

 Disabilities recognized by the Georgia Department of education as eligible for special education services: Autism, Deaf-Blind, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Emotional Behavior Disorder, Mild/Moderate/Severe/or Profound Intellectual Disability, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Significant Developmental Delay (up until age 9), Specific Learning Disability, Speech-Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment. Often children with a medical diagnosis may also be eligible under one of these categories. Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education:

 Inclusion:  “Inclusion considers that all students are full members of the school community and are entitled to the opportunities and responsibilities that are available to all students in the school.”  Least Restrictive Environment  section 612, part (a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 “IN GENERAL..To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.” Instruction, O. o. (n/a). Inclusive Learning Environments for Students With Special Needs. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from New Horizons For Learning: htm

 No-Tech  Non-electronic  Examples:  Copies of lecture notes and fill-in-the-blank outlines.  Student access to dictionaries and thesauruses during writing activities.  Modified pencil grip  Raised lined paper  Braille books and handouts  Low-Tech  Electronic devices that provide a limited functional ability and lack sophisticated computer components.  Examples:  Talking watch  Voice recorder  Electronic dictionary/thesaurus Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest:

 High-Tech  devices which utilize a computer and software to provide multifunctional use.  Examples:  Notebook computers  Word processing software   Text-to-speech software  Video broadcasting of classes for students unable to attend.  LCD projector/SmartBoard Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest:

 Kelvin, Dominick, and Shiranta  Diagnosed with ADHD  Assistive Technologies/ Interventions  Keep oral instructions brief  Letting the students read smaller passages  Dividing larger assignments into smaller sections  Keep instruction fast paced  High levels of participation and motivation during activities  Peer partners  Sarah  Diagnosed with hearing disability  Requires assistive hearing device  Other Assistive Technologies/Practices:  If student seems inattentive, make sure hearing aid is turned on and check the battery.  Utilize FM transmitter system to amplify your voice  Sign Language interpreter  Note taker  Voice-to-text software and projector  Printed lecture notes to be given to the student

 America, One Hundred Fifth Congress of. (1997, January 7). Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services:  Assistive Technology 101. (2010). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from The Family Center on Technology and Disability:  Behrmann, M., & Jerome, M. K. (2002, January 1). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update ERIC Digest. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from ERIC Digest:  Dickson, J. (2009, October 30). Fact Sheet: EVALUATIONS TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION (Initial Evaluations). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from Georgia Department of Education:  Education, N. C. (2006). Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT? Retrieved June 12, 2010, from LD Online:  Office of State Superintendent of Public. (n/a). Inclusive Learning Environments for Students With Special Needs. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from New Horizons For Learning: