1. 1 Special Needs Children and Art Disability terms and how to adapt art experiences.

2. 2 Types of Disabilities  Autism- A developmental disorder that causes impairments in communication and social interaction.  Deaf-blindness- a combination of hearing & visual impairments which cause severe communication, social, and developmental needs to not necessarily be met by special education programs.  Emotional disturbances  Mental retardation  Learning disabilities  Physical disabilities  Developmental delay  Hidden or invisible disabilities

3. 3 Classroom Aids  Activity modification-- A student may take longer than the rest of the class to complete an assignment. Modification must fit the students needs without drastically changing the goal of the assignment from the rest of the class.  Using symbols or photos for communication-- symbols are an effective way to communicate danger or communicate directions.  Objects to lean against (pillows and paper towel rolls)-- supporting physically disabled children properly will help concentration.  Tools for better motor control and accessibility-- making pencils and markers thicker and easier to grip for students who struggle with fine motor control.  Tables with greater accessibility and movement.  Color-coded boxes and containers.  Enablemart is on online web store with many helpful products. Enablemart

4. 4 Adaptations and Activity Modification Teachers must pay special attention to the following:  Activity length.  Student's ability to make choices between objects or tasks.  The student's mastery of skills or sub-skills.  Effective communication.  Behavior management  Location of the student during activity.  Alterations to a student's environment-- like tape to keep the paper from slipping around.

5. 5 Adaptation and Activity Modification For students who are physically handicapped be aware of:  Potential health hazards.  Dangerous objects.  Extent of fine motor capability.  Comfortable mobility-- reaching and leaning for supplies can often be difficult.

6. 6 Adaptations and Activity Modification Strategies for students with hearing or language disabilities:  Learning by watching others-- benefits from group instruction and observing reactions of others.  Learning by doing.  Role play  Gestures  Interpreting visual images.  Communication through visual images.  Interpreters.

7. 7 Adaptations and Activity Modification Multi-sensory techniques for visibly disabled children:  Touch-- Working with clay and texture.  Sound-- Listening to audio mimicking the atmosphere or setting of a work of art.  Verbal description  Reading with braille  High resolution images for those with limited vision.

8. 8 Adaptations and Activity Modifications A successful activity for mentally handicapped students includes:  Individual creativity.  Process learning.  Applies the process of learning to life skills.  Full control over a project even with assistance from the teacher.  A sense of pride and accomplishment.

9. 9 Adaptations and Activity Modification Ways physically handicapped students can adapt to an activity:  Tools  Physical techniques  Strategies

10. 10 Individual Education Plans (IEPs)  Special services that provide educational programs for children with disabilities.  These programs are free of charge.  IEP programs allow the child to reach educational goals more effectively.  IEPs allow there to be a connection between parents, teachers, school administrators, and the student.  As educators, we should educate ourselves though the school’s IEP meetings.

11. 11 Resources The special artist's handbook : art activities and adaptive aids for handicapped students Rodriguez, Susan, 1944- Palo Alto, Calif. : Dale Seymour, c1984. – This book is a good resource because it provides specific activities for exceptional children. The activities focus more on the process of art-making rather than solely the result. The author provides specific materials and directions for each of the art projects. Art and disability : the social and political struggles facing education Wexler, Alice, 1942- New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. – This book is an effective resource because if focuses not only on the bodily and psychic development of the child. It also stresses the importance o the self identity of the child. This book gives resources such as lesson plans, theories, and critical research. Developing cognitive and creative skills through art : programs for children with communication disorders Silver, Rawley A. Baltimore : University Park Press, c1978. – This book is a good resource because it explains how to effectively use art procedures to develop cognitive skills and emotional strengths. The author focuses on children with communication problems and hearing impairments.

12. 12 Resources Art beyond sight. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.artbeyondsight.org/http://www.artbeyondsight.org Web resource providing materials, lesson plans, and tools for teaching visually handicapped children. Gerber, BL. (n.d.). Naeanews. “special needs” columns. Retrieved from http://www.southernct.edu/~gerber/SEDarts/NAEASpecialNeedsColumns.htm http://www.southernct.edu/~gerber/SEDarts/NAEASpecialNeedsColumns.htm A bi-monthly column by the NAEA Special Needs Issues Group. The group meets annually at the National Art Education Association Convention. Moss, K. (1995, January). Teaching strategies and content modifications for the child with deaf-blindness. P. S. NEWS!!!, Article from the January 1995 edition of P. S. NEWS!!! published by the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Deaf-Blind Project. Provides detailed insight into how blind, deaf, and blind- deaf children learn. Rohrer, K. (2010). Art teacher toolbox: special education. Retrieved from http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/toolbox/special_ed.html http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/toolbox/special_ed.html A basic overview of special education with insightful tips for classroom management. Vize, A. (2005, December). Making art activities work for students with special needs. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HTZ/is_4_138/ai_n15922950/?tag=content;col1 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HTZ/is_4_138/ai_n15922950/?tag=content;col1 An insightful article with tips for maintaining a safe and effective classroom for special needs students.