Educating Children with Special Needs

It is required by law that students with learning disabilities are provided an education in the least restrictive environment. This means that:

• Students can choose between sitting at a table or at a desk.

• Students always receives one-on-one peer tutoring.

• An individual education plan must be created for each student.

• Students should not be unnecessarily removed from traditional classrooms or isolated from peers.

Answer explanation

Children must be educated in the “least restrictive environment” appropriate to

their needs, which means, whenever possible , the regular classroom .

Which of the following is not a category of disability?

• Orthopedic impairment

• Traumatic brain injury

• Digestive disorder

• Emotional disturbance

Answer explanation

The meaning of DISABILITY is a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions.

To be considered "disabled," your digestive disorder must be severe enough that it:

a. Prevents you from working full-time

b. Keeps you from working in any capacity (not just in the job you held previously)

c. Has lasted – or is expected to last – for at least one year

d. Is life-threatening

Kinesthetic learners learn best by:

• hearing information spoken aloud.

• whole body movement and participation.

• focusing attention on one narrow topic.

• a slower-paced approach.

Answer explanation

Kinaesthetic learning happens when we have a hands-on experience. An example of a kinaesthetic learning experience is when a child learns to use a swing or to ride a bike.

"Least-restrictive environment" refers to:

• placing students with disabilities into open, accessible classrooms to better accommodate their needs and equipment.

• allowing students with disabilities to be educated by their parents at home so they do not have to encounter transportation barriers.

• integrating students with disabilities into classrooms with non-disabled students whenever possible.

• providing students with disabilities with specially trained teachers, assistive technologies, and access to other appropriate resources.

Learning styles can be BEST characterized as:

• unique to the individual.

• remarkably similar across cultural groups.

• unimportant compared to teaching style.

• based on the time it takes to learn.

Which of the following conditions would preclude students from attending their local school?

• Spinal cord injury

• A developmental disability with mild cerebral palsy

• Bipolar disorder and ADHD

• None of the above

Answer explanation

With careful planning, training, and health services support, none of the mentioned conditions alone should preclude students from attending their local public school.

With technological advances and appropriate support systems in place, an increasing number of children and youth with complex medical conditions are attending schools in their home communities.

Educators, school staff, and family members are in a position to develop school programs that provide students with an educational experience that addresses the academic, social, emotional, and vocational needs of the child while ensuring all special health care needs are met.

What are some factors that can have an impact on learning for students with complex medical conditions?

• Frequent school absences

• Lack of concentration because of effects of the illness or medication

• Lack of stamina, fatigue

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Other additional challenges may include:

-less time for classes/studying

-personal concerns about acceptance

-understanding of peers

issues with self-image, -esteem, -confidence

-Emotional or physical effects related to treatment

To help prepare students to meet a classmate with special needs, all of the following are good ideas EXCEPT:

• Having a "meet-the-student" session at the beginning of the year

• Implementing a buddy system

• Discouraging children from asking questions because it's "not polite"

• Having a knowledgeable adult present to facilitate open discussion

Answer explanation

It's better NOT to discourage children from asking questions. Children are naturally curious and will have questions about their classmate, especially if their medical technology or physical condition is visually obvious. Unanswered, these questions can lead to misunderstanding, anxiety, or even fear. If a child is able to communicate, giving him or her the words to use will be helpful for answering other children's questions.

Why does the teacher need to know the students first?

The traditional criterion of giftedness is high general intelligence quotient of:

• 130 or higher.

• 140 or higher.

• 150 or higher.

• 160 or higher.