Educating Exceptional Children

exceptionality or exceptional?

outside the range of typical development.

disability?

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

inclusion

including students with disabilities in the general education classroom.

self- contained

classrooms that are specifically designated for children with disabilities specializing in interventions and support.

cross categorical class

everyone in the class has a disability but not all the same.

Rt I

response to intervention.

why is it important to work closely with the families of children with exceptionalities?

Families are the first facilitators. children exist within the context of their families.They are more involved & have a clear idea of what their path is to look like.Families are who we're communicating with most. we need to be on the same page.

why is their culture at times a hindrance?

teacher work on specific goals building child's self esteem by teaching independence. The child goes home & family will prevent child from being self sufficient.

what's IEP?

Individualized Education Program is a document developed for the public school child who needs special education.

when the child reaches 14, what does the classroom begin to look like?

an apartment where the focus is on teaching child life skills instead of academics: how to tie shoes -switch to Velcro. Getting child on a list for a group home where they learn indepently of parents.

When can parents see child?

Everyday if they wish. They can bring child home for visits as well.

why should parent get child on a home?

The waiting period for child is 2 or more years. If parent's die who will take child. If a relative is asked to do this they may resent decision. if child is already in home the responsibility isn't forced on a family member.

As child gets older a family continue believing their child may become typical someday. Why is this a problem?

It's difficult for them to face the fact that this is not going to happen.

People-First Language-How do we show respect for families living with an exceptional child?

We are sensitive. We need to recognize the child as a person using their name before we. talk about their disability.

Kathy Snow wrote an article about her son. How did she model respect?

She wrote about all his wonderful traits, the last one being his disability.

what's insensitive about using the word Handicapped?

It originated in England. it was used to describe a person who begged for a living. Hand in cap.

This term needs to be changed. why hasn't it?

Businesses have fought the change insisting it would be too costly to change all their signs.

Lisha spoke to us about a home for people with disabilities that her college class went to observe. what inhumane treatment did they see?

The residents were forced to share communal water from a bowl that each resident used to rinse their mouth with after brushing th sir teeth.

Do you remember the beautiful poem a parent wrote about her experience? Who's the author and title?

Emily Perl Kingsley ,Welcome to Holland.

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

Students are not considered exceptional unless the educational ?

program needs to be modified to help them be successful.

FAPE

free and appropriate public education

How can we develop trust with famlies

Documentation &explaining that childs self esteem improves when allowed to do skills he is capable of himself without familys intervening.

2 ways we help families by communicating compassion?

daily greeting with smile and inquiry, also listento their anxieties &struggles.? we say, "i know this must be difficult....".

2 ways to communicate respect towards parents?

calling child by their. name, some wonderful trait & then discussing things you've noticed. Let parents know you appreciate what research they have done on an exceptionality.

2 ways we communicate honesty to parents?

we share what we noticed using our daily log/journal, we share events that affected their child positively or negatively.

name 3 moral dilemmas regarding special ed?

costs more to educate atypical children, need smaller child to teacher ratios, and tax payers would rather see their money going towards general education because the feel these children can contribute more to society.

why might children with disabilities be thought as better candidates for funding than typical children?

Typical children can achieve academically through studying, testing, even earning awards and scholarships. Atypical children cannot.

if a school district doesn't have an appropriate education program or facility for their child , they need to do what?

Find a private school for their child with a disability.

SEDUM closed and what happened?

families wanted appropriate education for their children.

why is early intervention so important?

The earlier we start interventions such as therapy and other supports the earlier progress is made.

what age groups receive early intervention and how?

newborns in hospital with developmental delays will get a document and plan called the IFSP offering the child up to age 3 free services of intervention & supports. At age 3 child receives an IEP. A bus pulls up to take child to school where free intervention& supports are provided until child turns 21.

A childs developmental delays can occur in what areas?

cognitive, motor, socio-emotional communication,& adaptive(self help skills).

what is the name of the early intervention organization in Mchenry and what do they offer children?

Options in Advocacy. Free screenings and more.

what are some reasons children have developmental delays?

Terratogens, genetics, child abuse, poverty, and accidents.

ADA?

American Disabilities Act - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all public places.

A special ed law passed in 1963 called PL88-164. JFK created this initiative to do what?

Authorize money to states to work with children with exceptionalities.

why was JFK so involved?

His sister Rosemary had developmental needs. The Kennedy's educated her at home instead of sending her to live in an institution.

In 1977 PL -94-142 a law called The Education For all Handicapped Children Act was passed making sure that all children have what?

FAPE- FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

In 1986 an amendment to FAPE was granted to do what exactly?

award money to individuals with dissabilities education act- IDEA.

How many principles must be strictly obeyed by this school law IDEA?

6 principles.

IDEAS first principle is termed?

Zero Reject

in the zero reject principle children with disabilities, what?

Cannot be excluded from school because of their disability.

in the scenario where 2 girls are fighting at school. The typical student is called to office and told that school has a 0 tolerance for fighting. She's suspended for 5 days from school. what happens to the other girl who has a diagnosed aggressive behavior disorder?

She is allowed to stay in school protected by the zero reject principle. A child with a disability cannot be excluded from school because of their disability.

What is the second principle of IDEA termed?

Nondiscriminatory Evaluation.

In nondiscriminatory evaluation what must be fair and why?

The test must be, the testor must speak child's primary language, & the environment must be a fair space. Fair = results.

violent behavior disabilities are mostly what gender and race and why might this be?

male African/Americans or Hispanics. It may be due to bias thinking.

Why might a parent refuse to have child tested, and is this a good reason?

They don't want their child labeled. No it is not. The sooner intervention begins the sooner they get the specialized education they deserve to be successful.

Lisha told us about a boy who was repeating 3rd grade for the 3rd time. He was struggling academically and had aggressive tendencies. He was labeled violent and finally tested. what happened?

He was diagnosed with a learning disability. His behaviors manifested because of the L.D.

The 3rd principle in IDEA is?

Appropriate Education

Appropriate Education means the child has to?

Receive education that is appropriate for that particular child.

list ways a child is getting an appropriate education?

In a self contained class there might be a teacher, assistant, and a specialist. Each child s gets a seperate IEP.

What are the ages for IEP?

3-21 years.

What info is on the IEP?

child s strengths, weaknesses, test scores, & goals (cognitive, socio/emotional, &physical.

WHAT is the IFSP and what ages does it provide for?

Individualized Family Service Plan ages birth-2.9

What is the 4th principle of IDEA?

LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)

The LRE states that children with disabilities need to be in?

Classes with children who do not have disabilities as much as is appropriate.

what is the least restrictive classroom?

the inclusive classroom.

How is it decided what environment you will be in?

Your IEP.

we don't want to place children in the LRE if that doesn't?

Serve them well.

A scenario was a child with severe disabilities went to music class with his aid & what occurred?

The teacher turned her back on him while she looked at the Typical learners. She didn't give him an instrument. The aid had to request one.😡

Schools find inclusion easier in what grades?

1-3 grade

The 5th principle of IDEA is called what?

Parent-Student Participation in IEP

What is the transition component in this principle?

Now the child age 14 is asked whether they are interested in pursuing a career, job placement, work program, etcetera. They have a right to like or dislike the IEP as well as the parent. Both should be happy about the IEP.

Educators must schedule this meeting when?

The parent and child are available to attend.

Explain what this meeting used to be like?

Parent sat at end of long table with all the specialists & teachers. Each person told the results of testing done on child.

Why was the format changed and explain?

It intimidated parents. Now, we can ask parent if they would like to meet you in your classroom and walk to the meeting together.

What is the 6th principle of IDEA?

Procedural Due Process

Procedural Due Process says if you're not happy you can do what?

Sue the school in court.

Parent will say that we tried to resolve this with you but?

You aren't resolving it.

An example Lisha gave us of Procedural Due Process was?

Abby's parents did not feel the school was giving her the appropriate education she deserved so they took school district to court and won. The school had to pay for her to be educated in River Forest along with an assistant and full time cab driver. Hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars were spent year after year to accomodate Abby alone.

Give an example from class of a school right to take a parent to court?

Child's parents refused to have child tested over the years even though teachers requested it. Child is now in 5th grade and not improving. School could sue parent for negligence.

What is the 504 Plan?

This plan accommodates the child whose disability does not affect their academic performance. It provides other intervention like extra time for testing or larger print text.

Explain the 504 process?

Pupil Personnel Services at school are contacted. Parent fills out a form. A meeting is scheduled where a team - psychologist, social worker, and principle meet with parent showing documentation. They give strategies to try. if not resolved, child will be tested again, for more info & effective resolution. If parent agrees they will sign for further testing. Then what will happen?

After the new test results are in, a Multidisciplinary Staff Conference with parent is scheduled to do what?

Say child is not eligible for IEP but is for the 504 Plan. These services are available if you want them. Parent will accept or deny. Then what happens?

If accepted child gets services. If denied, child returns to regular classroom until next year. School will do what?

Contact parents that child is still behind and should be tested again.

Remember, if parents continue to deny further testing the school can do what?

Take them to court for negligence.

Movie, Educating Peter, what is happening to Peter?

He's going into an inclusion classroom for the first time.

What state is doing inclusion for the first time?

west virginia

What were the feelings of the teacher, students, peter, the parents, specialist in the video?

Teacher&students were apprehensive at first, then frustrated, scared, exasperated. They determined to work as a team providing positive reinforcement & role modeling. Success! Peter learned social skills and children compassion + problem solving skills.

What did they conclude?

Rewarding experience. They all changed for the better. frustrations turned to strategizing&problem solving. exasperation changed to patient coping skills. role modeling & lots of positive reinforcement.peter at first was frustrated, angry, low self esteem but all that change to happiness, self regulation, autonomy, progress, better social skills and self esteem.

The Identification of student with special needs, teacher does what first?

Observes child s problem in the classroom.

Teacher implements alternative strategies such as?

Documenting child s behavior&dating entries, moves child's seat, tries building a better relationship.

At the same time the teacher will contact?

Parents for information& support.

what should teacher say to parent?

I'm noticing some things at school. I'm wondering how you've addressed this in the past?

Next, the teacher consults with any or all of the following?

counselor,social worker,psychologist, special services personnel such as reading and speech clinicians, LD/BD Teachers, previous teachers, & principal.

Child is referred to what team?

PPS

Child's problem is either resolved or what happens?

PPS Team determines need for intervention.

What study is done with parental consent?

CASE STUDY EVALUATION.

child's evaluation is in What 8 areas?

Learning environment, academic/current educational functioning, vision/hearing screening, intellectual level, speech/language, social developmental, medical/current health, learning processes.

After case study is complete what conference is conducted with parents?

multidisciplinary staff conference

Parents must be sent something before conference?

Copy of their Rights

If parent is smart they will ask school for a?

Clarification Copy that is legible, complete, and easier to read, including a list of free attorneys who can help them.

If child is found to have no discibilities then what 2 things will occur?

No special services, and consideration cof 504 Plan.

If child is found to have some dissability than what 3 things occur next?

Eligible for services, obtain parental permission, & complete individualized education program.

The 3 criteria needed to receive special ed services for a learning disability?

inclusionary, exclusionary, & need

the inclusionary criterion is?

There must be a significant discrepancy between his/her ability and achievement in 2 yrs.

the exclusionary criterion is?

Ruling other things out to focus on what it is.

what's the need criterion?

You are demonsrating a need for help.

If student doesn't meet all of the 3 criterion for a disability he/she may be eligible for services through the implementation of?

Response to Intervention -RTI