How
can more students with disabilities be successfully included in the general
education setting?
Mainstreaming children with disabilities
with the general education students has a lot of benefits. Students get to play
and learn with others, they learn pro-social behavior and how to interact with
other students by watching their peers, and they learn social skills from
observing other students... The general education students learn about children
with disabilities, and they learn compassion and understanding about all kind
of disabilities. Over the last few years in our school we are seeing more and
more children with autism placed in our inclusion classes. We have two fifth grade inclusion classes and
two sixth grade inclusion classes.
What
type of special equipment is necessary allow students with disabilities to be
successful in the general education setting?
Some children need ramps built to get around
in their wheelchairs, and handicap-accessible restrooms and exits. Some need
special technology equipment, such as a Dynavox to help them communicate, or a
special desk and furniture that accommodates their physical needs.
What
types of support services would be needed to allow students with disabilities
to be successful in the general education setting?
Students with disabilities need support
services Speech and a language therapist, OT and PT therapist to help them, in
the daily routine at school.
What
will be needed if inclusion is to be the norm?
Teacher ‘s need to be trained and aware that
proper training and support for teachers and students, it can work .Inclusion
also teaches children how to live in a diverse world.” Segregating special
education students or those with disabilities deprives them of valuable peer
interaction and affects the quality of their education and prevents other
children from learning from them, according to Dr. Sapon-Shevin.” http://www.education-world.com/a_issues/chat/chat206.shtml
Special Education
Teachers
All states require teachers to complete a rigorous academic
teacher program with at least a Bachelor’s Degree, and to be certified in
special education; most state requires a Masters Degree. Special education
teachers work with children with a variety of disabilities, and teach them by
modifying the general education curriculum to meet each child’s needs. As more
and more schools embrace inclusion, special education and general education
teachers are working together to adapt the physical environment and modify
curriculum. They also coordinate work with all the specialists in the building
(sign-language interpreters, assistive technology specialists, behavior
specialists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists,
etc.) to make sure that students receive needed services.
|
Occupational title |
SOC Code |
Employment, 2006 |
Projected |
Change, 2006-16 |
Detailed statistics |
||
|
Number |
Percent |
||||||
|
Special education teachers |
25-2040 |
459,000 |
530,000 |
71,000 |
15 |
||
|
Special ed teachers, preschool, kindergarten, elementary school |
25-2041 |
219,000 |
262,000 |
43,000 |
20 |
||
|
Special ed teachers, middle school |
25-2042 |
102,000 |
118,000 |
16,000 |
16 |
||
|
Special ed teachers, secondary school |
25-2043 |
138,000 |
150,000 |
12,000 |
9 |
||
|
Projections data from the National
Employment Matrix http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos070.htm |
|||||||
Assistive Technology
Specialists
Not all Assistive Technology specialists have a teaching degree;
many states don’t require them to have one. Professionals in this field usually
have science and math backgrounds and has great computer skills.
Behavior Specialists
Behavior Specialists are usually people from related fields --
education, psychology, social work, etc. -- who have taken courses and gathered
experience in observing, analyzing and managing difficult behaviors. The role
of the behavior specialist is to walk into a classroom setting, observe the
activities and the student, and gather information about a student’s behaviors.
The specialist may then suggest appropriate changes and/or interventions.
Interventions (rewards) may range from behavior charts with stickers and
motivational prizes to special privileges.
Speech Therapists
Speech therapists are specialists who diagnosis and treat a
variety of speech, voice, and language disorders. They work with students who
are unable to make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly. They also work
with people, who stutter, have fluency and rhythm problems, inappropriate
pitch, or harsh voice and speech quality problems.
Occupational
Therapists
Most occupational therapists need at least a Bachelor's Degree;
in some states, however, a Master's Degree program must be achieved. The
therapist usually prepares lessons that help students develop or regain skills
to learn, to play and care for themselves.
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapists are required to have a Masters Degree from a
physical therapy program. They provide services that help restore function,
mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of
patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and
promote overall fitness and health.
