Understanding Each Child’s Exceptionality

and their Accommodations

Christina Ritter, MSRaecheal Vizier, M Ed

Special Education Program Effectiveness LiaisonsLafourche Parish Schools

WelcomeIn an effort to better support our special

education students in both the resource and inclusive setting, this module will focus on disability awareness and the individual needs of students with exceptionalities.

Outline

Bulletin 1508Thirteen ExceptionalitiesDefining AccommodationsReview

Bulletin 1508Provides guidelines for classifying students

Criteria for EligibilityChild Find GuidelinesPupil Appraisal ServicesQualified ExaminersParental Participation Interventions and ScreeningsEvaluation ResponsibilitiesEvaluation TimelinesDetermination of Eligibility

ExceptionalitiesAutism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction.

Deaf-BlindnessIs a concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the

combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental & educational problems.

ExceptionalitiesDevelopmental Delay

Is a disability in which students ages 3-8 are identified as experiencing developmental delays in one or more areas.

Emotional DisturbanceMeans a condition exhibiting one or more of the following

characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a student’s educational

performance. (inability to learn that can not be explained, inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationships, inappropriate types of behaviors and feelings, general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression and tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems)

ExceptionalitiesHearing Impairment

An impairment of hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance.

Mental Disability Significantly sub average general intellectual

functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period.

ExceptionalitiesMultiple Disabilities

Concomitant impairments (combination), which causes such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments.

Orthopedic ImpairmentCaused by congenital anomaly, impairments caused

by disease, bone tuberculosis, cerebral palsy, etc.

ExceptionalitiesOther Heath Impairments

Having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli that results in limited alertness with respect to educational environment (chronic health problems, ADHD, ADD, Asthma, etc).

Specific Learning Disabilities A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved

in understanding or in using language, written or spoken that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations. (oral expression, listening comprehension, written comprehension, written expression, basic reading skills, reading fluency skills, reading comprehension, math calculations, math problem solving)

ExceptionalitiesSpeech or Language Impairment

A communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or a voice impairment that

adversely affects a students educational performance.

Traumatic Brain InjuryAn acquired injury to the brain caused by external physical force

resulting in total or partial functional disability, psychosocial

impairment or both.

Exceptionalities

Visual ImpairedAn impairment in vision that even with

corrections adversely affects a student’s educational performance.

AccommodationsAccording to the Individuals with Disabilities

Improvement Act of 2004, all students with an exceptionality will receive accommodations to address their individual needs for both classroom instruction and testing.

Accommodations are checked off on each students’ IEP and all stakeholders (teachers, paras, test coordinators) are given the documentation of accommodations

Most common accommodations will be reviewed as follows:

AccommodationsCopy of Notes- for students who have a physical

impairment or for students who have an illegible handwriting.

Preferential Seating- for students with visual impairment or lack of focus, it is specific to students as to best place for seating.

Breaks between Tasks- for students who are easily distracted or frustrated…based on needs of individual students and should not used excessively.

AccommodationsLarge Print- provides an enlarged version of standard

print.Answers Recorded- if a student is unable to write due to

disability, the student can dictate answers and someone (teacher/para) will write answers exactly as the student dictates.

Assistive Technology- includes but is not limited to calculator, word processor, key board, computer, communication device, spell checker etc.

Extended Time- students must be given sufficient time to respond to every item or sufficient time to complete task.

AccommodationsTransferred Answers- if a student recorded answers on a

test or separate sheet, then his/her answers must be transferred.

Individual/Small Group Instruction- reteaching/reviewing within a small group (8 or less) can be done within the classroom or in another setting. Individual means one-on-one instruction.

Individual/Small Group Testing – for students who require more attention (for tests read aloud) and includes a group of 8 or less. Individual means one-on-one testing.

Accommodations

Tests Read Aloud- (except for reading comprehension) read all directions and test questions and answer choices exactly as written. DO NOT PROVIDE ANSWERS OR HINTS!

ReviewBulletin 1508

Criteria for EligibilityChild Find GuidelinesPupil Appraisal ServicesQualified ExaminersParental ParticipationInterventions and ScreeningsEvaluation ResponsibilitiesEvaluation TimelinesDetermination of Eligibility

Review

Exceptionalities– Autism -Deaf-Blindness– Developmental Delay -Emotional Disturbance– Hearing Impairment -Mental Disability– Multiple Disability -Orthopedic Impairment– Other Health Impairment -Specific Learning Disabilities– Speech or Language Impairment -Traumatic Brain Injury– Visual Impairment

ReviewAccommodations

– Each students accommodations can be found in each students IEP.

– Students should receive the same accommodations daily for classroom instruction/materials as they do on regular tests and state assessments.

– Accommodations:• Copy of Notes• Preferential Seating• Breaks between Tasks• Large print• Answers Recorded• Transferred Answers• Individual/Small Group• Tests Read Aloud• Assistive Technology

ClosureWe “Thank You” for listening and hope

that you’ve gained a better understanding of the exceptionalities of special education students and their accommodations.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Liaison assigned to your school.