1. 31 Guiding Children with Special Needs- Part Two
By Dr. Yvonne Gentzler. Adapted by Dr. Vivian G. Baglien
Learning Target: Student will describe and identify the methods of integrating special needs students in an educational setting.

2. Physical Disabilities
A child with a physical impairment may have a limited range of motion
His or her experiences may vary from peers
Types of physical disabilities
Cerebral palsy
Spina bifida
Muscular dystrophy
Amputation

3. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder from damage to the brain
Numerous causes
Produces lack of control over voluntary movements
Children lack fine-motor skills and have speech problems

4. Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition in which the bones of the spine fail to grow together and nerves are left exposed
Congenital disease, results in paralysis
To provide most comfortable environment for the child, discuss positions with the parents and physical therapist

5. Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition characterized by weakness in the muscles
Progressive lack of muscle tissue and control
For many, fine-motor muscles are more easily retained than the gross-motor muscles
Therapeutic techniques and exercises for weakened muscles might help delay some of the disease’s progression

6. Amputation
Some children who are missing a hand, arm, or leg may be fitted with an artificial limb called a prosthesis
As a teacher, you will need to know how the artificial limb works and how to care for it

7. Teaching Suggestions
Some adjustments may need to be made in the classroom and facility
Modify chairs to accommodate the child
Provide space for wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or cart; ramps and table space for wheelchairs
Secure carpeting or rugs to prevent slipping
Provide two-handled mugs and deep-sided bowls rather than plates, and serve finger foods as often as possible at snack time

8. Health Disorders
A chronic health need is an illness that persists over a period of time
Children with health problems often have cycles of good and poor health
Disorders can include
allergies, arthritis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, hemophilia, leukemia

9. Allergies Reactions of the body to substances in the environment
Four categories of allergenic substances
Inhalants
Ingestants
Contactants
Injectables

10. Did You Know?
Up to 50% of all people have mild or severe allergies.

11. Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition brought on by inflammation producing swelling of the joints and surrounding tissues
Most common form in children is rheumatoid arthritis; acute in morning, then subsides a bit
Children with arthritis often find it difficult to remain in one position for long periods of time

12. Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways
Symptoms include
coughing or wheezing
rapid or labored breathing
shortness of breath
chest tightness
continued

13. Asthma
When symptoms occur, it is called an asthma attack; may last minutes, hours, weeks
Caused by exposure to allergen, extreme weather, or overexertion
Treated with medication in a fast-acting inhaler or nebulizer
If no relief or child stops breathing, call 911
Ask parents what triggers the asthma and try to prevent the conditions

14. Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that occurs almost from birth involving persistent and serious lung infections
Children with cystic fibrosis seldom enroll in early childhood programs
Risk of serious lung infection is great
If enrolled, they need frequent rest and plenty of liquids

15. Diabetes
Juvenile diabetes is a hereditary disease; enough insulin is not produced by the pancreas
May need insulin injections to control blood sugar level
Common symptom of diabetes can be
frequent urination
loss of weight
constant hunger
itching (especially around the groin)
slow healing cuts and bruises

16. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a convulsive disorder caused by damage to the brain; affects 1% of population
Petit mal seizures: brief and hardly noticeable
Grand mal seizures: severe, consciousness lost
When the child regains consciousness, he or she may be confused
Epilepsy is treated primarily with drugs to prevent or reduce frequency of the seizures
continued

17. Epilepsy If you need to control a seizure, do the following:
Let child remain on floor, clear area
Remain calm
Cradle child’s head in your lap
Call 911 if seizure lasts longer than two minutes
After waking, keep child laying down and warm
Call child’s doctor and family for advice

18. Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a genetic blood disease in which the blood cannot clot normally
Extreme internal bleeding and deep bruising may result from simply bumping against something; can be fatal
Decide with parents which equipment is safe for child

19. Leukemia
Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects the blood-forming organs and the blood
Symptoms can include bleeding, bruising, fever, infection, and weight loss; can be fatal
Treated with chemotherapy to extend life
The focus of teachers caring for children with leukemia should be on the quality of their life

20. Cognitive Disabilities
Cognitive or intellectual disability describes intellectual functioning significantly below the developmental milestones for a child’s age
Cognitive disabilities have varying degrees of severity
Down Syndrome is a chromosome disorder exhibiting cognitive and often physical disabilities
Distinct physical characteristics, but usually happy and loving personalities

21. Learning Disabilities
A learning disability means having a problem with one or more basic learning skills
However, a child with any of the following learning disabilities usually has average or above intellect:
trouble following directions or poor memory skills
problems storing, processing, and producing information
problems making or reproducing numbers/letters
poor hand-eye coordination skills

22. Social or Emotional Impairment
A behavioral disorder is a condition that affects an individual’s social and emotional functions
These challenges can include
attention deficit disorder
hyperactivity
conduct disorder
autism

23. Attention Deficit Disorder
Five to ten percent of school-age children have attention deficit disorder (ADD)
They are easily distracted and have trouble focusing on a task
Those who are also overactive, restless, and impulsive have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Can be hostile and fail to follow classroom limits
Affects five times as many boys as girls

24. Autism
Children with autism have social, emotional, and communication impairments
Atypical language development
May display ritualistic and compulsive behaviors
Resistance to physical affection and interaction
May have violent temper tantrums
Need consistency, direct and simple speech; focus on language and appropriate behavior

25. Integrating Children with Special Needs
The number of children with special needs that can be accommodated in a center classroom varies by
the teachers’ training and experience
the ratio of adults to children
specific needs of the children
Work with the parents, inform the other children, and set simple classroom rules

26. Gifted Children
Gifted children’s unique educational needs are neglected in traditional education
Spend much of the time on things already known
Need programs and services different and more challenging than average

27. Giftedness Giftedness can be defined in may ways
Traditionally, giftedness was assessed only on intelligence quotient scores (IQ)
Scholars now argue that there are many forms
Creative or productive thinking
General intellectual or leadership ability
Psychomotor ability
Specific academic or visual/performing arts aptitude

28. Identification Identifying gifted children can be difficult
No single test, checklist, or observation will point out all types of giftedness
Teachers are more aware than parents of how a child’s behavior compares with peers
Tend to be more curious, independent, and self motivated

29. Teaching Suggestions
Acceleration is a process in which a gifted child is assigned to a class with older children
In enrichment, the range and depth of experiences is broadened to provide the child with a special curriculum
Individual or small group instruction
Provide open-ended learning activities for creative children; build leadership skills

30. Discuss
Discuss the special needs of gifted children and how they can be met.

31. Review
Placing children with special needs into a regular classroom is called _____.
What may be some signs of a possible learning disability?
What are some types of behavioral disorders?
What may be signs of giftedness?

32. Glossary
acceleration. Process in which a gifted child is assigned to a class with older children.
articulation problems. Omissions, distortions, or substitutions of vowels or consonants or both.
asthma. A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes labored breathing, gasping, coughing, and wheezing.

33. Glossary
autism. A behavioral disorder in which children are unable to interact with others socially because of ritualistic and compulsive behavior. Their language development is also atypical.
behavioral disorder. A condition that affects an individual’s social and emotional functions, such as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, conduct disorder, or autism.

34. Glossary
chronic health needs. Needs for special care caused by an illness that persists over a period of time.
enrichment. A process to broaden the range of experiences with special curriculum.

35. Glossary
giftedness. Having exceptional skills in one or more of six areas: creative or productive thinking, general intellectual ability, leadership ability, psychomotor ability, specific academic aptitude, and/or visual or performing arts.

36. Glossary
hearing impairment. Term that refers to a problem in one or more parts of the ear, which usually prevents a child from hearing adequately.
hemophilia. Genetic blood disease in which the blood cannot clot normally.

37. Glossary
inclusion. Term used to refer to an education setting in which children with and without special needs are integrated.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A written strategy for learning designed to ensure that each child with special needs is educated in the most appropriate manner for him or her.

38. Glossary
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Strategy developed when a preschool age child is diagnosed as having a disability. It includes the family’s needs in regard to enhancing the child’s development, goals for the child, services to be provided to the child and/or family, and a plan for transitioning the child to other services and regular education.

39. Glossary
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Federal law requiring all states to provide education for children who are developmentally delayed.
learning disability. Problems with one or more basic skills of learning. Poor memory skills, trouble following directions, or poor coordination may be signs.

40. Glossary
referral. Directing a parent to obtain a diagnosis from a professional when a problem exists with a child.
visual impairment. Any eye or nerve problem that prevents a person from seeing normally.

41. Teaching Standards
SL2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
FCS 4.2 Analyze developmentally appropriate practices to plan for early childhood, education, and services