3. Teach to the Student, not the Disability IEPs (Individual Education Plans) Identify disability Identify best modifications for the INDIVIDUAL Get to know your students before you plan for them Have ideas of modifications in mind for each lesson.
4. Disabilities cannot be generalized Children with the same disability may benefit from different learning schemes E.G. You have two students with mild learning disabilities in your language arts class One may respond best to listening to a tape of a story and then answering orally The other may respond best to seeing the same story on the board and writing the answers down.
5. Technological Resources Touch Screens Examples of use in Special Education Cerebral Palsy – touch screen may be used instead of a regular monitor for those student who may not be able to hold their head up and interact with a regular computer. (http://www.education.com/reference/article/touch-screen-special-needs-students/) Photo Credit: www.inhabitat.com
6. Technological Resources cont... Assisted Listening devices Personal frequency modulation systems A miniature radio that connects a speaker on the student end to a microphone that the teacher speaks into. Amplifies the teacher’s voice. Other similar solutions Infrared systems Induction loop systems One-to-one communicator Source: www.asha.org Photo credit: Nordelch
7. Technological Resources cont... Visual impairment Resources for computer use Screen magnifiers –software that magnifies the screen Refreshable Braille displays – “provide tactile output of information represented on the computer screen. The user reads the Braille letters with his or her fingers, and then, after a line is read, refreshes the display to read the next line” (www.microsoft.com). Source: www.microsoft.com
8. Assistive Technology Defined as “any piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (Friend, BursuckIncluding Students with Special Needs. P, 179). AT can be high or low technology As complex as a computer voice modulator As simple as a pencil grip
9. Key terms and phrases IEP – a set of instructions written in by a school psychologist in conjunction with special educators and parents designed to set goals and special support services for a student. LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) – A system designed and implemented by IDEA to achieve the most comfortable learning environment for the student. Usually a combination locations such as special education room and general education room.
10. AT (Assistive Technology) – an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.” (www.wikipedia.com)
11. Online resources For Students with ADD and ADHD www.emergingedtech.com has compiled these internet sources for students with ADD and ADHD http://www.ed.gov/teachers/needs/speced/adhd/adhd-resource-pt2.pdf http://www.addinschool.com/ http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/adhd/ http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_teaching_strategies.htm http://www.teachervision.fen.com/add-and-adhd/resource/10503.html http://www.time4learning.com/ADD.shtml http://www.playattention.com/educators/
