|
Defined Disabilities
|
|
|
Introduction to Special Education The Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
|
The disabilities defined under IDEA
include a broad range of physical, intellectual, and emotional conditions.
While clinicians can establish a conclusive diagnosis for many of these
conditions, diagnosing others is a more difficult process. Emotional difficulties
may change over time; perceptual problems may result from physical or emotional
conditions, or even both. Some learning disabilities will moderate or change
in character as a child grows older. This makes the identification of special
education students - and also the periodic review of special education needs
- an important ongoing component of special education. This
ongoing observation and evaluation is an area in which classroom teachers
can play an especially important role.
There are also special education disabilities that will not change over time. Mental retardation and cerebral palsy are both disabilities that do not improve as a child ages. The goals for special education services for these students will necessarily differ from service provided to students whose conditions may change or improve as the child grows. At its best, special education is a cooperative process of setting realistic goals for students and celebrating their progress toward those goals. Remember that in order for a
child to qualify for special education, the presence of at least one of
these disabilities must be interfering with the child's ability to learn
normally. Note also that not all of these disabilities necessarily interfere
with a child's intellectual capabilities. It is entirely possible to have
a special education student who is of above-average intelligence, or even
gifted. These students present special challenges. Our Disabilities Defined section provides definitions, background information, teaching strategies, and reference resources for each of the disabilities defined under IDEA. Though they are not specifically delineated by IDEA, we have also included special sections dealing with ADHD and Down's Syndrome because of the number of students who are diagnosed with these conditions. |
|
E-Ready is funded by a grant from the
NEC Foundation of America Copyright
© 2001-2006 by The Source for Learning, Inc.
|
