As a parent of a child who has special needs, you have probably received countless sympathetic looks from bystanders. Those who lack experience interacting with people with disabilities often think about everything a person “cannot” do.
However, despite your child’s challenges, you understand his or her unique gifts. With the support of your local school district, strengthening your child’s abilities can help position your son or daughter for a bright future.
Every parent worries about their children. You want the best for your kids, so you love, protect and guide them as they explore the world in which they live.
Children often do not know how to express themselves or handle their emotions, so you might consider their efforts to communicate as behavioral problems. However, if consistent patterns arise, you might question whether a neurodevelopmental disorder factors into your son's or daughter’s actions. If that is the case, you should see what kind of services your school district provides.
Early in the school year, a middle school boy from a nearby state was shocked and embarrassed to find that someone moved his desk into one of his school's restrooms. This was not an elaborate prank cooked up by his peers. It was an intentional learning space set up by his teacher to accommodate his need for quiet.
The boy's mother asked the school to provide a quiet place where her son could complete his schoolwork because he has autism and loud noises bother him. This prompted his teacher to place the boy's desk over a toilet and a camping mat on the bathroom floor for naps.
With an individualized education plan (IEP), a student with an intellectual, cognitive or behavioral disability receives an education made for his or her special needs. Sometimes the IEP has the student in the classroom with other students. Sometimes it takes the student out to a specialized classroom. But how do IEPs address students with both disabilities and gifted academic talents?
Gifted children with disabilities - often called twice exceptional, or 2e - make up about 6% of all students with disabilities. These children excel in certain academic areas but struggle with a disability that may prevent them from learning in a regular classroom.
All children have a right to education. You want your child to learn necessary life skills, become familiar with social interaction and hopefully enjoy learning. Depending on your child's needs, he or she may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
You can request an evaluation of your child's learning needs or the school can request one. If your child's school has recommended an assessment, you need to follow up. A school staff member can make a recommendation based on:
A new study finds no basis for the controversial Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) that some claim helps autistic people communicate. Proponents say RPM aids communication with autistic people or others with special needs through pointing, typing or writing.
Critics say it resembles another discredited technique, called facilitated communication, where an autistic person shares their thoughts using a board or tablet after another person applies pressure to their hand or arm. Studies conclude the results are controlled by the facilitator, sometimes with harmful consequences.
If your child is struggling in school, you are probably exploring all your options to help your child find success. If your child’s challenges could be caused by a mental or physical disability, he or she may benefit from special education services.
Professionals who work with your child, such as a teacher, school psychologist or physician, can request an assessment. However, if you are noticing signs that your child may have special needs, you yourself can request the assessment to see if your child is eligible for special education services. Requesting an assessment is the first step you can take toward acquiring these services.
Some parents don’t know if they should put their child into a special education program because they’re worried it may separate their child socially.
If you’re noticing disability symptoms in your child, you should consider whether special needs education might help. In some cases, that may mean a separate learning environment.
Reading is an essential skill for navigating life. At this point, you probably don’t think about how often you use reading. Your child is beginning to understand this now that they’re getting further into their education. Yet, not every child learns to read at the same pace and conditions like dyslexia make learning to read more difficult.
Did you know that up to one-eighth of the U.S. population lives with dyslexia? These are people who don’t lack intelligence or the motivation to do well. Their brains simply have difficulty processing words in print.
For some children with special needs, staying active can be difficult. However, it’s important for children to learn how to take care of their body and mind.
Here are just a few of the ways students with disabilities should be staying active at school.
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