Understanding Special Needs Students

Special needs students are the ones who suffer from learning impairments, behavioural, emotional, and developmental issues, along with physical and developmental disabilities. These students, when compared to the majority of their peers lag in their education for intellectual or medical reasons. For instance, students with dyslexia may struggle with reading but excel as artists. Or an autistic child may have difficulty with interpersonal abilities yet be an expert on using computers.

Types of Disabilities 

Auditory Impairment

A severe hearing impairment interferes with a child’s ability to process linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, and negatively impacts a child’s academic achievement.

Autism

It impacts verbal and nonverbal communication. Noticeable before the age of three. Repetitive activities, stereotyped motions, aversion to environmental change, change in daily routines, and atypical responses to sensory events are traits linked to autism.

Deaf-Blindness

Having hearing and vision impairments simultaneously.

Emotional Disturbance

Pose difficulty in sustaining positive interpersonal connections. It adheres to the pervasive state of sadness or depression. Children experience physical symptoms or anxieties linked to personal or academic issues.

Learning Disability

Show up as a less-than-perfect capacity for listening, speaking, thinking, reading, writing, spelling, or performing mathematical calculations. 

Orthopaedic Impairment

It refers to disabilities brought on by a congenital anomaly.

Speech impairment

Stuttering, poor articulation, language disability, or voice impairment.

Traumatic brain injury

It is an injury caused by an external impact resulting in whole or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment.

Visual Impairment

The phrase covers both blindness and impaired sight.

Non-Categorical Early Childhood (NCEC)

The term refers to a student between the ages of three and five diagnosed with an intellectual disability, emotional disorder, a particular learning disability, or autism.

Source: NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgg/students-with-disabilities

Inclusive Haven: Nurturing Growth in Special Needs Schools

Children with difficulties or disabilities that interfere with learning attend special needs schools and programs. They offer assistance that is not there in general education schools. Special needs schools’ instruction set is tailor-stitched to meet the child’s requirements and to let him achieve age-appropriate educational objectives. 

Special needs schools are set up, manned, and equipped to offer children with special needs the support they require. They don’t approach education in a “one-size-fits-all” manner. Instead, they provide well-designed programming to address the different needs of students. It covers not only educational demands but also social and emotional ones.

Streamlined methods, smaller classes, special instructions, one-on-one help, self-contained classrooms, resource rooms, and teaching tools may all fall under this category.

Special needs students are entitled to an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) in Canada, the US, and the UK. The IEP outlines a child’s educational requirements, the assistance the school will offer, and the developmental evaluation.

Special education classrooms provide a wide range of strategies and services. They include-

• Small classes and tailor-made learning
• Low ratios of teachers to students                                    
• Trained teachers
• Independent classrooms
• Resource centres
• Tutoring services
• Academic support and counselling
• Teaching tools
• Interactive learning

A variety of settings are possible for the delivery of lessons in special education classrooms. 

Perceiving the vital need for special education

There is an utmost need for special education for students with difficulties or limitations that may hinder their learning. Students that meet this requirement have needs that are not in a traditional classroom. To help them, learning settings, teaching methods, and curricula may need to be modified. General education does not offer this tailored approach creating the need for special education.

Compared with children without disabilities, children with disabilities are:

The prominence of online schooling for special education 

Some students learn well in a conventional classroom made of brick and mortar. Some just can’t! For special needs students, this may be especially true. Thus, there is a dire need for special education. Online schooling for special education is an innovative and beneficial approach that can support the unique needs of special education students. Special educational schools aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment.

Opting for online schooling for special education allows for tailored learning plans. IEPs are implemented effectively in an online environment. A flexible and wholesome environment will be for children with special needs. 

Online schooling has proved to be effective in reducing distractions and sensory overload. Apart from that, one can access a wide range of resources. Special educational schools employ assistive technology, devices, and tools to enhance the learning experience. At last, it has amplified communication & collaboration.

Autistic Schools

It can be challenging for teachers, parents, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) child to manage autism in the classroom. Some parents claim that private schools occasionally won’t accept a child with ASD. 

They cite their lack of teaching resources as their justification for this. Few schools that enrol children with autism charge exorbitant fees. They further say that a few students can be enrolled in those schools.

A child with ASD needs autistic schools for learning as per his need. Conventional schools do not make adjustments to support autistic students to succeed in the classroom so that they can develop and thrive. Every child with ASD needs individual attention and an autistic school! 

How Does Online School for Special Needs Students Work?

Like their physical counterparts, online schools for special needs students must abide by ADA and IDEA regulations. Students with special needs can attend online classes conveniently and in a safe setting.

For learners with specific needs, online learning offers the following advantages:

Flexible Classes

Special needs students require frequent doctor and therapy visits. It can result in missing classes at a traditional school. Online courses allow flexible scheduling, allowing students to finish their work around commitments or whenever they feel motivated. Whenever the students feel well, they can work ahead to avoid falling behind when they need therapy if they have a chronic disease.

Study from anywhere

If Students with illnesses necessitate prolonged hospital stays or repeated medical procedures, they can bring coursework with them to avoid falling behind. With a Wi-Fi connection, online learning is accessible from any location.

Less Distraction

For students who are on the autism spectrum, in particular, crowded corridors, mess, and classrooms can be stressful. Many of the social obstacles and noisy distractions are eliminated by attending school online, allowing students to concentrate on their assignments and academic development. 

Safe Learning Environment

Home is the perfect place for online learning as it is well-equipped with basic amenities. A comfortable place! Students may find what they need quickly and easily in their environment. No bullying and other kinds of violence takes place as seen in conventional schools.

Special education Individual Support and Self-Pace

Students at their comfort can learn lessons and do assignments. The child can access the study material anytime digitally. More memory retention is possible with this option. As students advance towards their academic objectives, teachers in online schools also get to know each student personally and can modify their lectures to meet the student’s specific learning needs. 

K12 online school special education

Every student has distinct learning needs. Every student’s pace of learning is different. Some students are more adept at understanding specific concepts and subjects than others. However, slow learners might also comprehend material or perform better than their fast-learner classmates. International Schooling, a K-12 online school, allows students to learn and develop skills efficiently.

The freedom to dive deeply into a notion or topic and comprehend its finer points is unrestricted. Early on, some of the most well-known scientists, politicians, and business people were known to be slow learners. Learning at top homeschools or online schools, like International Schooling, will be a remarkable educational voyage for special students. The schedules are flexible. 

The entire cycle of knowledge is interrupted if learning is distorted and inefficient. One of the finest homeschooling options for slow learners is International Schooling, a K12 online school special education. It allows for experiential and concrete learning, which may or may not be present in traditional schooling and classrooms. IS has an efficient special education classroom.

International Schooling is one of the best online high schools for learning disabilities. IS provides a Self-Paced learning program where one can learn at their pace. Flexy Program of IS offers learners to pick 1, 2, or 3 courses from a list of 100+ courses. To know more, do check out our website.

Conclusion

Online school is a flexible and valuable option for special needs students. It provides well-designed learning, a supple environment, accessible resources, and reduced social anxiety. The constant support and communication facilitate progress monitoring. 

The online school prepares special needs students for independent learning and technology proficiency, enabling successful transitions to higher education or the workforce. Overall, the online school offers inclusive and empowering opportunities for the academic and personal growth of special needs students.

FAQs

Who are special needs students?
Children with disabilities or learning issues that make learning more difficult for them than it is for most children their age. 

What are some kinds of disabilities/ disorders?
Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are some disabilities.

Is online school beneficial for special needs children?
Yes, because online school coursework is drafted as per the child’s requirement. Online school helps a special child to study at their own pace and from anywhere. 

Does International Schooling provide programs for special children?
Yes, International Schooling welcomes all kinds of students around the world. The school provides excellent coursework for special learners. The Advanced American Curriculum of International Schooling is highly customizable. To know more do visit the website of International Schooling.

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