Confidentiality Stigma And Disclosure
A students disclosure of a disability is always voluntary. However, students with disabilities may feel nervous to disclose sensitive medical information to an instructor. Often, students must combat negative stereotypes about their disabilities held by others and even themselves. For instance, a recent study by May & Stone on disability stereotypes found that undergraduates with and without learning disabilities rated individuals with learning disabilities as being less able to learn or of lower ability than students without those disabilities. In fact, students with learning disabilities are no less able than any other student they simply receive, process, store, and/or respond to information differently .
Similarly students with physical disabilities face damaging and incorrect stereotypes, such as that those who use a wheelchair must also have a mental disability. Additionally, those students with hidden disabilities like epilepsy or chronic pain frequently describe awkward situations in which others minimize their disability with phrases like Well, you look fine.
Teaching Strategies For Inclusion
These teaching strategies help students of all backgrounds to be successful in the regular education classroom.
Differentiate Instruction: When teachers differentiate all students can participate and work at their current ability.
Make Objectives Clear: Posting and reviewing objectives in age-appropriate language helps all students achieve the desired objective of each lesson. It is especially helpful for kids with special needs.
Adapt: Teachers are masters at adapting. We watch our students and constantly assess slowing down when they dont understand something then speeding up when its clear theyve already got it. We challenge those that are ready for more and provide extra support to those that need it.
Explicit Teaching and Modeling: Model for students and gradually turn the responsibility over to the student. The I do, We do, You do approach is especially beneficial to kids with special needs it gives them the support they need to keep up with traditional classroom activities.
Have a Positive Attitude: As the teacher, your positive attitude about inclusion sets the tone for the rest of the class.
If you see having special needs students in your classroom as a growth opportunity and a positive, your students will too.
Inclusion for All
Teaching Students With Disabilities
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The Path To Creating An Inclusive School Culture
A school culture defines the values, expectations, beliefs, and assumptions of everyone from administrators to students. Inclusion requires a cultural shift in many schools. Here are some elements of an inclusive school culture:
- Inclusion requires a strong commitment to and belief in involving everyone.
- Diversity must be considered a positive attribute and resource, rather than a challenge or detriment.
- All stakeholders collaborate with all students best interests in mind.
- Inclusive schools maintain a solid connection to the community.
- There is zero-tolerance for bullying or exclusion.
- Inclusive schools are willing to innovate and take risks with new ideas.
Learning Disability Issues University
There are a number of issues that can arise for students with learning disabilities at university. One of the biggest issues is that many universities are not equipped to handle the needs of students with learning disabilities. This can mean that students with learning disabilities are not able to get the accommodations and support they need to succeed. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness of learning disabilities among university staff and students, which can make it difficult for students with learning disabilities to get the help they need.
It is, however, for postsecondary institutions to create policies to identify and maintain those essential components of the college curriculum. The best way to serve students with disabilities is to have services organized in such a way that they can concentrate on academics. Some students with learning disabilities may be able to meet the standard entry requirements. If a student has learning disabilities, a mechanism must be put in place to allow him/her to keep track of them. To identify and select appropriate accommodations, a task analysis, the students disability, and the facultys goals must be carried out. It is critical that campus technology is made more accessible to students with disabilities. Colleges are not permitted to change the curriculum in such a way as to jeopardize essential components of a program, according to federal law and subsequent court decisions.
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Making A Difference In The Lives Of Disabled And Nondisabled Students
There are nearly 7 million disabled students currently enrolled in the U.S. public school system. The vast majority of these students are placed in general education classrooms, where they rely on the experience and expertise of trained educators. If youre interested in becoming a source of support for these students, consider pursuing a masters degree in special education from The University of Texas Permian Basin. At UT Permian Basin, you can earn a Master of Arts in Special Education in as little as 12 months and advance in a growing field of advocates, educators, and specialists.
Ways To Implement Universal Design For Learning
1. Teach content in many ways: In a traditional classroom, planning for the lesson is done with the typical student in mind. Often, there is one way for all students to learn the material, such as a lecture or a slide presentation.
Instead, try to plan the lesson with all students in mind. Survey students to find out what they already know and questions they have about the new topic. Use that information to scaffold instruction and make lessons more relevant to students. You can also vary the methods that you use to deliver the direct instruction portion of your lessontry showing a demonstration or video clip for one lesson, and have students participate in stations or listen to a podcast for another.
If possible, use more than one modality within a lesson, and think about supports that students may need for learning. If students are moving around the room, have clearly defined procedures and a goal at each learning center. If theyre listening to you or a podcast, it may be helpful to provide an outline where they can add notes or sketch visuals while they listen. If theyre reading texts, you can allow them to partner read or use technology to adjust the font and text size.
3. Provide accommodations for all students: Instead of providing accommodations only to students with an IEP or a 504 plan, think about accommodations that such students frequently need and make them available to all students.
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Support Social Emotional And Problem Solving Skill Development
Prompt social behaviours
Consider student development of socially appropriate behaviours through prompting, modelling and practice. For example, actively teach students how to use open-ended questions when engaging in small talk, or to speak assertively when there is conflict.
Understand behaviourTeach problem solving skillsSupport students to manage and self-regulate their emotions Teach organisation skillsTeach students how to self-manage
Classroom Accommodations For Students With Dyslexia
Ensuring a classroom has accommodations for students with a disability sets the students up for success, helps them feel included with their peers, and boosts their confidence. Some changes teachers can implement to provide classroom accommodations for students with dyslexia are:
- Hand out worksheets that use a large print.
- Provide number and letter strips on desks to aid students with reading and spelling.
- Provide color strips or bookmarks to help students focus on a line of text.
- Give extra time for reading and writing activities.
- Use text-to-speech and speech-to-text software to help with reading and writing.
- Keep a structured classroom routine and set visual schedules that the teacher will read aloud.
- Provide high-interest books for low reading levels and audiobooks.
Each person with dyslexia has different challenges. Classroom accommodations for one student with dyslexia may not work for the other students. To best help each student, talk with the students and their parents to learn which accommodations work best for them.
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Get To Know Your Students Ieps/504s
Upon receiving notice that a student with a specific plan is entering your class, its important to connect with that students case manager. For a student with a 504 plan, that is usually the school counselor for a student with an IEP its either the Special Education Teacher or Resource Specialist. You should receive a brief synopsis of the IEP, often referred to as the IEP at a Glance form. This will detail the specific services and minutes each student receives, as well as any accommodations and modifications that are available for them.
One of the most common accommodations for students with special needs is preferential seating. This doesnt always mean in the front row of the classroom right next to the teachers desk. There are many instances where seating a student in the front row can be catastrophic! Most of the rooms I see are grouped in clusters I like to make sure that a student I am working with is next to peers they feel comfortable with, and can help explain a concept during collaborative time. Seats away from distractions such as windows or doors is quite helpful for students with attention issues.
Take Action: Check and make sure you have current documents for students in your class. Make a chart with what services each student receives and how frequently. Make note of their next IEP meeting date. If you havent started one yet, start a folder for student work samples-this will make the Special Educators job that much easier!
What Is Inclusive Education What Does It Mean
Inclusive education is when all students, regardless of any challenges they may have, are placed in age-appropriate general education classes that are in their own neighborhood schools to receive high-quality instruction, interventions, and supports that enable them to meet success in the core curriculum .
The school and classroom operate on the premise that students with disabilities are as fundamentally competent as students without disabilities. Therefore, all students can be full participants in their classrooms and in the local school community. Much of the movement is related to legislation that students receive their education in the least restrictive environment . This means they are with their peers without disabilities to the maximum degree possible, with general education the placement of first choice for all students .
Successful inclusive education happens primarily through accepting, understanding, and attending to student differences and diversity, which can include physical, cognitive, academic, social, and emotional. This is not to say that students never need to spend time out of regular education classes, because sometimes they do for a very particular purpose for instance, for speech or occupational therapy. But the goal is this should be the exception.
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Create A Sense Of Community
Create a sense of community. Assigning jobs to each student and letting each child have a voice during circle time are ways to make special-needs children feel that they are part of the community. This will boost self-esteem as they are able participate in the same activities as their typical-developing classmates.
Activities For Students With Learning Disabilities
There are many different activities that can be done in order to help students with learning disabilities. One activity that can be done is to have the student read out loud to help with pronunciation and fluency. Another activity is to have the student use flashcards in order to help with memorization. There are many different activities that can be done in order to help students with learning disabilities, and it is important to find the ones that work best for each individual student.
Some learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, can have a negative impact on a childs academic performance. It is critical for children to engage in creative activities. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when teaching your child who is different from you. Every child is unique and requires individualized attention to learn. To meet this demand, parents must create a personalized learning path for their children. A learning solution that will reveal the childs individual IQ, learning style, gaps in learning, and proficiency is required for children with learning disabilities such as dysgraphia or dyscalculia.
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How Can Disabilities Impact Academic Success
Disabilities can affect students in myriad ways in the classroom, depending on the disability at hand. While the list below is not exhaustive, it presents a few common challenges.
- Reading and writing slower than other students due to language processing disabilities
- Needing to reread information or receive instruction multiple times due to memory disabilities
- Requiring additional time to process new material
- Inability to participate in classroom activities or discussions due to processing disabilities
- Finding it difficult to focus and/or pay attention due to ADHD/ADD
- Trouble participating in activities such as holding a pencil or creating a science project due to issues related to motor disabilities
- Difficulty maintaining friendships because of challenges with impulse control and understanding social cues
- Problems reaching the classroom due to inaccessible buildings
- Inability to see class materials or hear the teacher due to issues with visual or hearing impairments
- Challenges understanding numbers and symbols due to dyscalculia
The Benefits Of An Inclusive Classroom
A paper published by the National Center of Educational Outcomes shows that 80-85% of special education students can meet the same achievement standards as their nondisabled peers if given the individualized instruction, appropriate access, supports, and accommodations required by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act . Students with disabilities are affected to varying degrees by a variety of conditions, and only a small group of students, including students with intellectual impairments, autism, and multiple disabilities, require different achievement standards. Even then, these students benefit from grade-level curriculum.
In a paper summarizing the evidence on inclusive education, researchers looked at more than 280 research studies in 25 countries and found consistent evidence that when students with disabilities are taught alongside their nondisabled peers, their cognitive and social development benefited. Although results vary from student to student, students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms tended to outperform their peers in segregated settings.
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Role Of Teachers In Managing Students With Learning Disabilities
The role of teachers in managing students with learning disabilities is to provide them with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom. This includes accommodations, modifications, and strategies to help them access the curriculum. In addition, teachers need to be patient and understanding, and create a learning environment that is supportive and inclusive.
A differentiation of instruction is an instructional model that looks at how content should be taught explicitly. One of the strategies that Ive found to be effective in my school is gradual release of responsibility. A lot of teachers rely on project-based learning, and students get to choose how they want to work on their project. Using the COVID virtual learning program, I believe teachers were given the ability to create more digital programs and software that could benefit students with learning disabilities or who are not disabled at all. If you believe your accommodations benefit all of your students, your students can become class-wide accommodations in an Individualized Education Program. It is critical to build positive relationships with both teachers so that they can become friends. There is no hovering over one student in this classroom, and the atmosphere is positive.
Deliver Instruction In A Variety Of Ways
There is increasing evidence that shows that gamified lessons positively influence student engagement. To appeal to different learning styles, reimagine existing lessons, especially those that feel lecture heavy, with fresh videos, books, and gamified digital activities. A study conducted by the Canadian Journal of Action Research comparing student engagement with gamified lessons vs. alternative traditional lessons found that students showed higher class average scores for both focus and attentiveness during digital game-based learning six out of eight times.
Varied learning content that appeals to different student interests is just as essential as the instruction style. Provide students the chance to learn about a social justice movement, history or current events through different mediums and have the unit culminate in a team-based project.
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Bibliography & Further Reading
Bingham, C., L. Clarke, E. Michielsens, and M. Van De Meer . Towards a Social Model Approach? British and Dutch Disability Policies in the Health Sector Compared. Personnel Review 42: 613-637.
Brandon, T. and G. Pritchard . Being Fat: A Conceptual Analysis Using Three Models of Disability. Disability and Society 26: 79-92.
Brittain, I. . Perceptions of Disability and their Impact upon Involvement in Sport for People with Disabilities at all Levels. Journal of Sport and Social Issues 28: 429-452.
Coles, J. . The Social Model of Disability: What Does it Mean for Practice in Services for People with Learning Difficulties? Disability and Society 16: 501-510.
DeOrnellas, Kathy . Teaching College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Faculty Focus. Retrieved 10 November 2020 from
Fitzgerald, H. . Disability and Physical Education. In The Handbook of Physical Education, edited by D. Kirk, D. MacDonald, and M. OSullivan, pp. 752-766. SAGE. London, England.
Forhan, M. . An Analysis of Disability Models and the Application of the ICF to Obesity. Disability and Rehabilitation 31: 1382-1388.
Goodley, D. . Learning Difficulties, the Social Model of Disability and Impairment: Challenging Epistemologies. Disability and Society 16: 207-231.
Humpage, L. Models of Disability, Work and Welfare in Australia. Social Policy and Administration 41: 215-231.