Inclusion is a wonderful thing. Children with special needs are no longer secluded in "Special Ed" classrooms and are only seen on the playground or in the cafeteria. Children with special needs thrive in an environment where they can interact with their peers. There are many things that children with special needs can learn from other children.
When it comes to classroom preparation, teachers are expected to be creative and imaginative. Special education instructors are the advocates who show families the path when it seems like their academic experience is coming to an end. Completing a Special Education master's program opens the door to one of the most gratifying careers in education. A Special Education master's program provides you with a wealth of knowledge and instructional practices that help you to think about learning in new ways. Simple, individualized teaching tactics for the special needs student make managing an all-inclusive classroom easier.
The following tips will assist you in creating a learning environment that allows children to flourish.
1) Identify and Develop Their Strengths
Understanding and accepting kids for who they are is the cornerstone of inclusive special education programs. This entails not just assisting them in overcoming their problems but also in identifying and developing their strengths. Some people believe that special education needs are associated with lower IQ. However, this is not always the case. No matter what issues a student has, they have strengths, even if they haven't been identified yet.
Also, find out what your special-needs students are passionate about, what they think they're good at, and what they'd like to study the most. If you're short on time, concentrate on the students who require more attention and have too many requirements. Design strategies that take advantage of your student's unique abilities once you've figured out what they're good at. If a student has a talent for crocheting but does not comprehend place value, let him create a fabric artwork by knitting ten rows.
2) Use Computer-Based Programs to Keep Students Engaged
When working with autistic children, the Stages Learning Line is a must-have resource. The platform delivers a breakthrough visual learning and evaluation method for teachers and administrators working with young children with autism. A certified behavior analyst built the application, which includes hundreds of images and exercises. You can also tailor lesson plans for pupils who have unique interests by using your photos.
Teachers may build successful, tailored lesson plans using a single standardized platform, which can then be exchanged with several other teachers and students with similar interests. Products from the Stages Learning Line have been evaluated and implemented in schools and have proven to be effective teaching tools for children with autism.
3) EdTech Provides New Methods of Communication
The term "EdTech" refers to a more limited set of helpful technology tools. EdTech is increasingly being defined as technology that is used in the classroom. Consider iPads, smart boards, and an unlimited number of applications. These popular digital tools allow students with special needs to learn at their own pace while simultaneously being integrated into normal schools.
From graphic boards to specialized voice output devices, these technologies have evolved. There are numerous apps available now that allow kids with special needs to share their thoughts more rapidly. Another EdTech superpower nowadays is the capacity to convert text to audio. Children who have trouble reading normal print can benefit from text-to-speech (TTS) software. Previously, these individuals had to rely on time-consuming options such as listening to a CD or a book or using special software. Today, app-based solutions enable these children to work alongside their peers in the classroom by using features like, Speak Screen or Speak Selection.
4) Provide Extra Teaching Time to Struggling Students
To cope up and follow up with other students, students who struggle to meet grade-level criteria generally require longer time for teaching and learning. This extra time can be used to pre-teach topics, repeat the day's lesson, address missing core abilities, and rectify misunderstandings at both the primary and secondary levels.
Many schools provide more people but not additional time to special needs children. Struggling students may receive extra help from a teaching assistant, special education teacher, or other staff members while remaining in the same classroom with their peers for the duration of the class. It's important to distinguish between extra "help time" and more teaching time. A resource room or support period where a special education instructor provides ad hoc aid or test prep across various disciplines, grades, and courses is typical for children with exceptional needs.
5) Keep in Mind That Each Child is a Unique Individual
Since each special needs student is different, instead of defining them by their disability, strive to get to know them as individuals. As a special education teacher, you may be responsible for creating IEPS - (Individualized Education Program) they are not only a government requirement, but they may also be a useful tool for you and the child's parents to collaborate on creating an education strategy that fits for everyone.
No two people are alike, and this is especially true for kids who have physical disabilities or specific learning problems like dyslexia, ASD, or ADHD. The majority of diagnostic testing culminates in a report with recommendations for strategy training to help a student manage whatever problems they are facing.
Whether you're a special education teacher or a parent of a child with special needs, you'll encounter a never-ending list of obstacles throughout the child's educational career. Being practical about these problems and planning long in advance will make your life easier and benefit your special needs child.