CBSE has specific Guidelines of Inclusive Education of Childrentoensure that no child with special needs is denied admission in Mainstream Education and to provide support through assistive devices and the availability of trained teachers and to modify the existing physical infrastructure and teaching methodologies to meet the needs of all children including Children with Special Needs.
In adherence with this our school has Special Educators who take care of bringing the children with special needs to the class standard. This mainly includes children with learning disabilities who exhibit erratic learning patterns, individuals who seem to be able to do some things quite well while struggling dramatically to perform other tasks. This mismatch between ability, expectations and outcomes can cause terrific disappointment and upset, resulting in a cascade of emotions and behaviours that can interfere with everyday functioning in school, at home and in the community.
What is Special Education?
Special education is specially designed instruction, support and services provided to students with an identified learning need. These needs require an Individually Designed Intervention program. The purpose of Special Education is to enable students to successfully develop to their optimum potential and be comfortable in class and community. These children are encouraged to develop skills that make them feel self-sufficient in later life.
Who needs Special Education?
A child requires special help when he or she is having any kind of academic difficulties that affects the child’s performance. There are many indicators which help us understand whether child needs special education or not. Some of the important ones are-
- learning difficulties – in acquiring basic skills in school•emotional and behavioural difficulties–making friends or relating to adults or behaving properly in school•specific learning difficulty–with reading, writing, number work or understanding information
- Sensory or physical needs – such as hearing or visual impairment, which might affect them in school
- Communication problems – in expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
- Medical conditions – which may slow down a child’s progress and/or involves treatment that affects his or her education.
- Sensory or physical needs – such as hearing or visual impairment, which might affect them in school
- Communication problems – in expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
- Medical conditions – which may slow down a child’s progress and/or involves treatment that affects his or her education.
How does the school test for Special Education Needs?
The eligibility of a student for special education is based on a comprehensive evaluation process. This process includes
- Considerations of assessments
- Information based on how well the student understands the curriculum•observation reports by the school counsellor
- Teacher information
- Information provided by parents
- Other relevant information
Commonly practised interventions: A person with a learning difficulty has difficulty, learning in a typical manner. However, with appropriate cognitive and academic interventions many can overcome this
Interventions: Depending on the type and severity of the difficulty, interventions may be used to help the individual learn strategies that will foster future success.
The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP): Special education teachers help to develop an individualized plan for each special education student.
The plan sets personalized goals for each student and is tailored to cater to the student’s individual needs and ability.
They work closely with parents to inform them of their child’s progress and suggest techniques to promote learning at home
They are involved in the students’ behavioural, social, and academic development, helping the students develop emotionally, feel comfortable in social situations, and be aware of socially acceptable behaviour
Methods:
Our special education teachers use various techniques to promote learning. Depending on the requirement, teaching methods include
- Individualized instruction
- Problem-solving assignments
- More practice or explanation
- Small group work
The instructions or teaching method aims to improve a skill or ability in each student. When students need special accommodations in order to take a test, special education teachers see that appropriate ones are provided, such as having the questions read orally or lengthening the time allowed to take the test.
Learning Process:
There is no single way for students to learn. Special education teachers identify the learner and provide a variety of visual, auditory and tactile learning materials. The sessions are planned based on the Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI), which contends that different people have different ways of thinking, learning and processing. This theory defines eight discrete intelligences; namely; verbal (linguistic), logical (mathematical), visual (spatial), musical (rhythmic), bodily (kinesthetic), naturalist, interpersonal and intrapersonal. They identify the type of learner and in order to cater to the needs they may use learning aids and manipulatives like puppets; fraction pies / bars; etc, role plays, charts, small group work to create a hands-on learning experience. These techniques and aids motivate and support children with learning difficulties in communication and interaction. Children are helped to develop their social and motor skills, and the visual, tactile and emotional needs of the child are satisfied.
