Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 16

This chapter talked about teaching students with visual and hearing impairments.  There are so many things that are available for students with hearing and visual impairments that were not available a couple of decades ago.  Now the laws require schools to provide the necessary equipment for students that have disabilities.  Though it may be had on some school systems to provide such equipment, it was a monumental for those who suffer with disabilities.  Now these students have a better opportunity for a more successful education experience.  Teachers can use this equipment to have recorded lesson for the hearing impaired, and teachers can also gain access to materials that aid the visual impaired.  These students may also require special services to help them in areas of difficulty.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 14 & 15

Chapter 14 talks about Autism.  I did not realize how important it is to initialize skill building techniques that will build on there future work skills.  In the chapter, it stated that if you wait to focus on working skills until high school years, then it would be too late to build the skills needed for an autistic child to be successful in the working world.  Before reading this chapter I honestly felt that a child with autism may be better served in a special education classroom, but know I see how important social interaction is in the development of an autistic child.
Chapter 15 discusses physical and health impairments.   Children with congenital health issues, or health issues that occur later in childhood years can be very successful students.  The main issue with these students is having an issue that will take them out of class for an extended period of time.  If a student has missed school a lot, then they may require additional help or a home bound teacher.  Some students fall so far behind that they eventually require special education services to give them the extra attention in specific areas.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 12 & 13

Chapter 12 speaks about students with behavioral issues.  There are some students that need a psychological evaluation, and because of reluctant or unaware parents, the students have behavioral issues that hinder their ability to work successfully in a classroom. There are also students that have emotional issues, and they are acting out as a cry for help, but they are labeled as a trouble maker.  If these issues are addressed early, there is no reason why a student should not be successful. 
Chapter 13 speaks about children with communication disorders.  A good indicator for a parent that a child may be having difficulty hearing is late speaking and the sound of their speech.  I know of a woman that would not take her 2 year old to a specialist for his delayed speech.  Finally, her sister made her sign a permission for treatment form, and she took the boy to a specialist at Children's hospital.  The boy had extensive scaring in his ears due to repeated ear infections.  He has lost some of his hearing, and has some speech difficulty.  He is now 17, and he started school at 3 to work on his speech.  Attending school early helped him with is hearing loss, but it may have not been as bad if he had gotten medical attention earlier.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 10 & 11

After reading these chapters, I can recall students from the class that I am in now, and I can see that they fall into a few of these categories.  I think that the hard thing to do would be determining that a student does have a disability.  A teacher may think that they are lazy, tired, or just does not care about school, and the whole time they may just have a disability that keeps them from understand a certain area of study.  This worries me.  I have seen teachers get irritated at a student and just verbally tear them apart.  But, if they do not understand why they do not know how to do the work, how is yelling at them going to help?  I know that there are two proper ways to address a student that has fallen behind due to a learning disability.  There is the remediation and the compensation approach, but would the compensation approach still leave valuable information unlearned?

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 7

In this chapter, they talk about how many students with disabilities are shunned by their teachers, as well as their peers.  Many teachers often set the example on how other students will treat students with disabilities.  I also read where simulations do not always help students to understand disabilities that others face.  It is important to welcome these students into the classroom, and it is also important to treat them as an equal to the other students by not drawing attention to their disability.  If a a student with a disability has the opportunity to feel equal to the other students, their potential for learning will expand.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 6

This chapter really touched me, because I have dealt with foster children that display behavioral problems.  As a teacher, one must realize that acting out is not always just a students behaving badly for attention.  There are times when deeper issues are what drives the student to seek attention.  Some may be physically or emotionally abused at home, or may carry an even darker issue that stems from sexual abuse.  Some of these students are from troubled homes, and there the only babysitter is a television full of violence that teaches them the rude and disruptive behavior. This is why it is important for teachers to be upfront with the students, and let them know that outbursts and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Then if there seems to be additional issues that need to be addressed, then the teacher needs to seek the proper help for the child, and report abuse if it is evident.  A teacher can also teach a student compassion, and school may be the only place where they receive it.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 9

In this chapter, they talk about the advantages and disadvantages of technologies in the classroom.  I know that when I was a student, we were not allowed to use calculators, and we did not have assess to computers in the 80's.  What I have read has really made me better understand how far we have come with technology use in the classroom.  I believe that it is a wonderful thing to use technology to help students with disabilities and special needs.  This levels the playing field for them somewhat, and it also gives them the ability to go at a pace that is on their level.  I also agree with the book where it stated that the key thing in classroom technology use is the use of the appropriate programs.  There are so many programs available that are classified as educational, but it is very important to research them before implementing them into the classroom.  I never thought of that, but I see the importance of finding the appropriate technology to use.

Teaching Students with Disabilities Chapter 8

I had not really considered the arrangement of the classroom.  I can see how there is a need for additional desk space, and sometimes there are also other considerations that need to be considered when arranging a room environment.  Not only does it make it more efficient for the teacher, it can also create a more friendly environment for the students.  While I have been substituting at Oneida, I have noticed the arrangement of the desks in each class.  Now I understand better the importance of these arrangements.  There is also the concern of time management.  A clutter free room helps the teacher be more efficient, and need items need to be in an easily accessible area. 

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 5

Chapter five talks about how many students need instruction modification.  Many people believe that only students with special needs are the ones who need additional help or modified lessons, but the truth is that many students need some minor adjustment, or even sometimes just simplification of instructions to help them to tackle the lesson they are having difficulties with.  I myself could have benefited from simplified math instruction.  The student just may require manipulative to help them to better understand the problem.  Many factors play on the success of the student, and they are addressed in this chapter as it speaks of evaluating and giving feedback to students.  Modifying materials and activities, and making sure that directions are clear and easily understandable.  All of these will help the student reach the goals that are being addressed without stressing them out.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 2

This chapter was very interesting. In the first story about Marvin and Jake, I actually thought that they would both benefit from specialized classes. As I read further, I realized that Marvin was actually the one with issues that would better benefit from counseling and specialized classes. I can see that Jake is better suited to stay in a regular class setting. His issues would be better addressed by a general education teacher. It does not take much to fall behind in classes. A child could be having home problems that causes him to daydream or even sleep in class. This would cause them to fall behind quickly because they would be missing bits and pieces of information that may be critical in understanding their work. Intervention would be the best idea that is if you are able to get them the help they need before they require an IEP.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 4

The classroom has changed dramatically from the 1950's to present day.  In the 50's, there was segregation, and in the classroom there were still the small rural schools that taught in a one room class where all grade levels were together.  now, in today's time, we have a diverse group of students.  When students come from other countries, they are faced with new customs and traditions that are far from what they are used to.  This brings a challenge to teachers to reach a SLL that may also be suffering from the shock of their new surroundings.  Patience is the best friend of a teacher in this situation.  A gradual progression into the new surrounds is idea, but students are, for the most part, pushed into an often frightening new surroundings. There are also other factors that may interfere with the students education, such as, parental involvement or poverty.  A teacher should always take into account that they are unaware of a students home situation that may affect a students work and behavior.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 3

In this chapter, it talks about the different types of learning disabilities.  Many students are very bright, but only suffer in a certain subject.  They may need tutoring, or they may need to be coached on how to organize, or how to properly study the subject they are finding difficult.  There are the students that have behavioral disorders which keep them from focusing on learning.  They will need to address their learning gradually.  By doing this, it will eliminate some frustration with difficulties, and they may not act out as often. This chapter addresses several disabilities from mild to severe, and it also addresses the gifted and talented.  Each one of these have requirements in academic, behavioral, social, physical, and special needs.

Teaching Students with Special Needs Chapter 1

I found this chapter to be very interesting to me.  I have discussed the law and regulations that have been put into place of students with disabilities, but I really have a better understanding of the need for socialization for these students.  I think one of the most important parts is the IEP.  The fact that a parent has a say in the education of a disable child is a wonderful thing.  A parent will be able to insure their child has every opportunity available for them.  I think the IDEA is a good thing.  I know it will be challenging for teachers, but everyone should receive the opportunity of an education regardless of their disabilities.