Guiding Children with

Special Needs- Part Two

By Dr. Yvonne Gentzler. Adapted by Dr. Vivian G. Baglien

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Learning Target: Student will describe and identify the methods of integrating special needs students in an educational setting.

Physical Disabilities A child with a physical impairment may

have a limited range of motion His or her experiences may vary from

peers Types of physical disabilities Cerebral palsy Spina bifida Muscular dystrophy Amputation

Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is a neurological

disorder from damage to the brain Numerous causes Produces lack of control over

voluntary movements Children lack fine-motor skills and

have speech problems

Spina Bifida Spina bifida is a condition in which the

bones of the spine fail to grow together and nerves are left exposed Congenital disease, results in paralysis

To provide most comfortable environment for the child, discuss positions with the parents and physical therapist

Muscular Dystrophy Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition

characterized by weakness in the muscles Progressive lack of muscle tissue and control For many, fine-motor muscles are more

easily retained than the gross-motor muscles Therapeutic techniques and exercises for

weakened muscles might help delay some of the disease’s progression

Amputation Some children who are missing a

hand, arm, or leg may be fitted with an artificial limb called a prosthesis As a teacher, you will need to know

how the artificial limb works and how to care for it

Teaching Suggestions Some adjustments may need to be made in the

classroom and facility Modify chairs to accommodate the child Provide space for wheelchair, crutches, cane, walker, or

cart; ramps and table space for wheelchairs Secure carpeting or rugs to prevent slipping Provide two-handled mugs and deep-sided bowls rather

than plates, and serve finger foods as often as possible at snack time

Health Disorders A chronic health need is an illness

that persists over a period of time Children with health problems often

have cycles of good and poor health Disorders can include

allergies, arthritis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, hemophilia, leukemia

Allergies Reactions of the body to substances

in the environment Four categories of allergenic

substances Inhalants Ingestants Contactants Injectables

Did You Know?

Up to 50% of all people have mild or severe allergies.

Arthritis Arthritis is a condition brought on by

inflammation producing swelling of the joints and surrounding tissues Most common form in children is

rheumatoid arthritis; acute in morning, then subsides a bit

Children with arthritis often find it difficult to remain in one position for long periods of time

Asthma Asthma is a chronic inflammatory

disorder of the airways Symptoms include

coughing or wheezing rapid or labored breathing shortness of breath chest tightness

continued

Asthma When symptoms occur, it is called an asthma attack;

may last minutes, hours, weeks Caused by exposure to allergen, extreme weather, or

overexertion Treated with medication in a fast-acting inhaler or

nebulizer If no relief or child stops breathing, call 911

Ask parents what triggers the asthma and try to prevent the conditions

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease

that occurs almost from birth involving persistent and serious lung infections

Children with cystic fibrosis seldom enroll in early childhood programs Risk of serious lung infection is great If enrolled, they need frequent rest and

plenty of liquids

Diabetes Juvenile diabetes is a hereditary disease;

enough insulin is not produced by the pancreas May need insulin injections to control blood sugar

levelCommon symptom of diabetes can be

frequent urination loss of weight constant hunger itching (especially around the groin) slow healing cuts and bruises

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a convulsive disorder caused by damage

to the brain; affects 1% of population Petit mal seizures: brief and hardly noticeable Grand mal seizures: severe, consciousness lost

When the child regains consciousness, he or she may be confused

Epilepsy is treated primarily with drugs to prevent or reduce frequency of the seizures

continued

Epilepsy If you need to control a seizure, do the following:

Let child remain on floor, clear area Remain calm Cradle child’s head in your lap Call 911 if seizure lasts longer than two minutes After waking, keep child laying down and warm Call child’s doctor and family for advice

Hemophilia Hemophilia is a genetic blood

disease in which the blood cannot clot normally Extreme internal bleeding and

deep bruising may result from simply bumping against something; can be fatal

Decide with parents which equipment is safe for child

Leukemia Leukemia is a form of cancer that

affects the blood-forming organs and the blood Symptoms can include bleeding, bruising,

fever, infection, and weight loss; can be fatal

Treated with chemotherapy to extend life The focus of teachers caring for children

with leukemia should be on the quality of their life

Cognitive Disabilities Cognitive or intellectual disability describes

intellectual functioning significantly below the developmental milestones for a child’s age

Cognitive disabilities have varying degrees of severity Down Syndrome is a chromosome disorder exhibiting

cognitive and often physical disabilities Distinct physical characteristics, but usually happy and

loving personalities

Learning Disabilities A learning disability means having a problem with

one or more basic learning skills However, a child with any of the following learning

disabilities usually has average or above intellect: trouble following directions or poor memory skills problems storing, processing, and producing information problems making or reproducing numbers/letters poor hand-eye coordination skills

Social or Emotional Impairment

A behavioral disorder is a condition that affects an individual’s social and emotional functions

These challenges can include attention deficit disorder hyperactivity conduct disorder autism

Attention Deficit Disorder Five to ten percent of school-age children have

attention deficit disorder (ADD) They are easily distracted and have trouble focusing on

a task Those who are also overactive, restless, and

impulsive have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Can be hostile and fail to follow classroom limits Affects five times as many boys as girls

Autism Children with autism have social,

emotional, and communication impairments Atypical language development May display ritualistic and compulsive

behaviors Resistance to physical affection and

interaction May have violent temper tantrums

Need consistency, direct and simple speech; focus on language and appropriate behavior

Integrating Children with Special Needs The number of children with special

needs that can be accommodated in a center classroom varies by the teachers’ training and experience the ratio of adults to children specific needs of the children

Work with the parents, inform the other children, and set simple classroom rules

Gifted Children Gifted children’s unique educational needs are

neglected in traditional education Spend much of the time on things already known Need programs and services different and more

challenging than average

Giftedness Giftedness can be defined in may ways

Traditionally, giftedness was assessed only on intelligence quotient scores (IQ)

Scholars now argue that there are many forms Creative or productive thinking General intellectual or leadership ability Psychomotor ability Specific academic or visual/performing arts aptitude

Identification Identifying gifted children can be

difficult No single test, checklist, or observation

will point out all types of giftedness Teachers are more aware than parents

of how a child’s behavior compares with peers Tend to be more curious, independent,

and self motivated

Teaching Suggestions Acceleration is a process in which a gifted child is

assigned to a class with older children In enrichment, the range and depth of experiences is

broadened to provide the child with a special curriculum Individual or small group instruction

Provide open-ended learning activities for creative children; build leadership skills

Discuss

Discuss the special needs of gifted children and how they can be met.

Review Placing children with special needs into

a regular classroom is called _____. What may be some signs of a possible

learning disability? What are some types of behavioral

disorders? What may be signs of giftedness?

Glossary acceleration. Process in which a gifted

child is assigned to a class with older children.

articulation problems. Omissions, distortions, or substitutions of vowels or consonants or both.

asthma. A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes labored breathing, gasping, coughing, and wheezing.

Glossary autism. A behavioral disorder in which

children are unable to interact with others socially because of ritualistic and compulsive behavior. Their language development is also atypical.

behavioral disorder. A condition that affects an individual’s social and emotional functions, such as attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, conduct disorder, or autism.

Glossary chronic health needs. Needs for

special care caused by an illness that persists over a period of time.

enrichment. A process to broaden the range of experiences with special curriculum.

Glossary giftedness. Having exceptional skills in

one or more of six areas: creative or productive thinking, general intellectual ability, leadership ability, psychomotor ability, specific academic aptitude, and/or visual or performing arts.

Glossary hearing impairment. Term that refers

to a problem in one or more parts of the ear, which usually prevents a child from hearing adequately.

hemophilia. Genetic blood disease in which the blood cannot clot normally.

Glossary inclusion. Term used to refer to an

education setting in which children with and without special needs are integrated.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A written strategy for learning designed to ensure that each child with special needs is educated in the most appropriate manner for him or her.

Glossary Individualized Family Service Plan

(IFSP). Strategy developed when a preschool age child is diagnosed as having a disability. It includes the family’s needs in regard to enhancing the child’s development, goals for the child, services to be provided to the child and/or family, and a plan for transitioning the child to other services and regular education.

Glossary Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA). Federal law requiring all states to provide education for children who are developmentally delayed.

learning disability. Problems with one or more basic skills of learning. Poor memory skills, trouble following directions, or poor coordination may be signs.

Glossary referral. Directing a parent to obtain a

diagnosis from a professional when a problem exists with a child.

visual impairment. Any eye or nerve problem that prevents a person from seeing normally.

Teaching StandardsSL2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.

FCS 4.2 Analyze developmentally appropriate practices to plan for early childhood, education, and services