What is Special Education

Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other interventions designed to help learners with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and community than would be available if the student were only given access to a typical classroom education.

Categories of Special Education

Learning Difficulties

The most common special needs you are likely to find in your class are learning difficulties of various types. These may or may not be related to a physical or medical condition. Learning difficulties are classified as Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound general learning difficulties.

Behaviour Difficulties

Many pupils do not conform to what we would consider 'good' behaviour. Sometimes this is related to other problems in their lives which lead to them having a special education need. The behaviour may be caused by a physical or medical problem or a learning difficulty.

Physical Difficulties

Increasing inclusion has meant the removal of barriers of access and this is encouraging more parents to have their children educated in main stream schools alongside their peers. Increasing advances in technology is making this more and more successful.

Articles

Don Mattera School – Historical overview.

Teaching/Educating the Special Needs Learners

1997

Mental Health vs. Intellectual Impairment

Occupational Therapy

Vocational Skills Training to ensure suitable job opportunities and placement