WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION

HISTORY OF SPED IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION?

Special education is a specially designed instruction, support, and services provided to students with an identified disability requiring an individually designed instructional program to meet their unique learning needs. The purpose of special education is to enable students to successfully develop to their fullest potential by providing a free appropriate public education.

WHAT IS INCLUSION FOR SPED STUDENTS?

Inclusion is the educational practice of educating children with disabilities in regular classroom set- up.

“Inclusion is not just about including children with disabilities. It's about embracing the idea that diversity is the reality and, therefore, each child is a unique learner," Elizabeth Kozleski

Disability is just one aspect of that

diversity and that need.

BENEFITS OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

·         Families’ visions of a typical life for their children can come true.

All parents want their children to be accepted by their peers, have friends and lead “regular” lives. Inclusive settings can make this vision a reality for many children with disabilities.

·         Children develop a positive understanding of themselves and others.

When children attend classes that reflect the similarities and differences of people in the real world, they learn to appreciate diversity. Respect and understanding grow when children of differing abilities and cultures play and learn together.

·         Friendships develop.

Schools are important places for children to develop friendships and learn social skills. Children with and without disabilities learn with and from each other in inclusive classes.

·         Children learn important academic skills.

In inclusive classrooms, children with and without disabilities are expected to learn to read, write and do math. With higher expectations and good instruction children with disabilities learn academic skills.

·         All children learn by being together.

Because the philosophy of inclusive education is aimed at helping all children learn, everyone in the class benefits. Children learn at their own pace and style within a nurturing learning environment.

WHO ARE THESE KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDSA. Kids with physical impairments

·         autism spectrum disorder

·         blind

·         deaf

·         deaf/blind

·         hearing impairment

·         other health impairment

·         orthopedic impairment

·         traumatic brain injury

·         visual impairment

B. Kids with communication impairments

·         articulation

·         fluency

·         language/phonology

·         voice

C. Kids with learning impairments

Ø  Intellectual disability

Ø  Specific learning disabilities (LD) 

“Good teachers build on the individual strengths of each student and recognize that all students have something valuable to contribute to the classroom community.”

-                                           BY: Giangco & Doyle