Supporting Our Students with Special

NeedsPresented by Tricia Shelton,

Doctoral Candidate, Indiana University of Pennsylvaniawnnh@iup.edu

Children with special needs are a part of every classroom and every community.

-6,606,000 children, ages 3-21-Comprise 13.4% of total enrollment of

students, preK-12-Developmental disabilities are increasing-Timeline of diagnosis is often long and

complex(National Center for Educational Statistics, 2010)

Teacher training often lacks key elements.- Specialized training- Experience- Current focus

Educating Students with Special Needs is the job of EVERY teacher and EVERY

citizen

Chronological Age

Develo

pm

en

tal A

ge

Growth Patterns

Typically-developing students

Based on the Research of Joel Hundert, The Behavior Institute, Ontario, Canada

Chronological Age

Develo

pm

en

tal A

ge

Growth Patterns

SS

Typically-DevelopingStudents

Students with Special Needs

Based on the Research of Joel Hundert, The Behavior Institute, Ontario, Canada

Collaboration

Specialized Training & Public Awareness

Individualized Instruction

Factors that Make a Difference

Special Needs in the Classroom

Volunteers from the audience, please…

Let’s DiscussHow did it feel to have one of learning challenges? How might these experiences be similar to the challenges some students with disabilities face?

How helpful was teacher assistance? How helpful was aid from peers?

What did it feel like to be a student without learning challenges?

With whom might teachers seek collaboration? What resources might they explore?

Any final thoughts or reflections?

Dream Big: Anything is Possible Lower Merion School District Ardmore, PA

Special Education Action Committee (SEAC) Committee for Special Education Diagnostic Kindergarten

Hampton Township School District Allison Park, PA

Growing Together Club

Twin Valley School District Elverson, PA

Co-Teaching Program

It Takes a Village… Hebron Presbyterian Church Penn Hills, PA

Special Needs Vacation Bible School Monroeville United Methodist Church Monroeville, PA

Special Needs Inclusion Team The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPS) Western Pennsylvania

AMC Waterfront 22Theatre Homestead, PA

Sensory Friendly Movies