WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS(can also be applied to parenting)

Special needs students fit into a number of categories. This is because of the different kinds of special needs issues.

A special needs child is often considered disabled in some way. These are children who have mild learning disabilities or profound developmental problems.

Special needs children do not always have learning disabilities

Some of them simply have needs that must be planned for and addressed within their learning environment.

These cases include severe food allergies, terminal illnesses, emotional concerns, and motor skill delays.

Every child and every case is individually different. There are some children that function at high capacities no matter what their disability is. Then there are other children with very low capacities to function.

SEIZURES seizures result from imbalance in the

electrical activity of the brain. Seizures are classified as simple partial, complex partial, absence, or grand mal, based on the intensity and symptoms of the seizure.

DYSLEXIA is a type of learning disability that alters

the way the brain processes written material, causing reading, writing and/or spelling to be a challenge. Dyslexia varies from person to person.

Most dyslexic students have average to above average intelligence and a reading level significantly low for their age.

TIPS FOR DYSLEXIA On the child's desk tape a daily checklist of

what he needs to take to each class Information for parents should be given to

the child in writing Have the child verbally explain his approach

to answering a problem Encourage good study skills and

organizational skills Break down large tasks into smaller steps Utilize fun games that teach rules Check binders and folders for neatness and

organization

CEREBRAL PALSY CP is a long-term physical condition caused by

an abnormality of brain growth making muscular development and control difficult.

CP can occur if the mother experiences an injury or disease that affects the baby, during a traumatic birth, or later in life due to an infection, disease or head trauma.

Symptoms of CP vary from person to person. In many cases, a child with CP may show signs of: muscular weakness, paralysis, lack of coordination, slurred speech, involuntary convulsions, or visual impairment. Some children with CP can walk, while others are wheelchair bound.

Related services. Most CP children will benefit from Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and speech, if speech has been impacted by the CP. OT and PT will address muscular needs and can be provided as a push-in or pull-out service. If a child is in need of using a wheelchair, then a 1:1 aide will most likely be needed. The aide should encourage as much independence as feasible, but be ready to assist when needed.

Assistive technology. For a CP student who lacks fine motor control in his hands, assistive technology is a must. The child might benefit from an enlarged keyboard or a voice activated computer program. For a younger child, a picture/word board might be appropriate.