Chapter 5:

Planning for Children with Diverse & Special Needs

Identities Are Formed

We are all unique

Individual voices and fingerprints
Research suggests that the teacher-student relationship is one of the most important
aspects of a childs educational experience

Many Facets of Diversity

Race
Religion
Color
Disability
Age
National origin
Gender
Size
Sexual orientation
Other . . .

Journey to Discovery

Challenging biases, attitudes and perspectives

Fear of the Unknown hinders progress
What to pack leave behind stereotypes, preconceived notions
Who will guide the journey? Kids, parents, resources - stay open to learning!
Sensitivity, empathy, and compassion are key

Temple Grandin on autism: I like the way I think

The author of "The Autistic Brain", who herself has autism, explains why getting young
people with autism into the workforce is vital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxsv4f5SQE0

Special Education Terms: Required by Law

Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) became the
Individuals with Disabilities Act in 1990 (IDEA)

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

FAPE: Free and Appropriate Public Education
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment
SpEd: Special Education/Students with Disabilities/Special Needs

IEP: Individualized Education Plan Title of document and meeting!

APE: Adaptive Physical Education

Collaboration and Support

Classroom teacher
School/district administration
Physical education specialist
Special education teacher
School nurse
Physical therapist
School psychologist
Vision specialist
Adapted physical education specialist
The Perceptions of an Experienced Professional

Educating all children

Do parents have the right to send their child to school?
Do school personnel make every effort to welcome all students?
Are teachers unconditional in their willingness to accept all children?
Dreams and expectations of parents and teachers do they sometimes collide with
reality?
Can teachers begin to know what a parent has been through?
Do teachers jump to conclusions?
Do teachers take the time to really listen to their story?
Signed permission is required for all field trips
Speak to him or her as you would to any other child
How accessible are the restaurants and other locations in your community?
What message is a student given when a field trip is not accessible to them?
ALL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM EXCELLENT, DIFFERENTIATED
INSTRUCTION!

Promoting Friendships in the Inclusive Classroom (Calloway, 1999)

Be open and honest about disabilities

Use all of your resources
Make disability a comfortable concept
Provide equal access for typically achieving peers
Explore a variety of differences and similarities among people

Inclusion

Inclusion is a philosophy of acceptance that supports placing students with disabilities

in their neighborhood schools.

Supplementary aids and services, or other supports are brought to the student while in
the general physical education class rather than having the student go to the services
in a separate class (Tripp, Piletic, and Babcock, 2004)

Physical Education Settings

1) Inclusive setting in the general physical education setting which may or may not need
additional support
2) Non-inclusive setting where students receive adapted physical education in a separate
setting
3) Combination of inclusive and non-inclusive
THIS IS DETERMINED BY THE IEP!
Instructional Considerations
All students benefit from a structured, differentiated environment

Students with mental disabilities benefit from a highly structured and consistent
environment, as well as immediate praise
Students with emotional and behavioral disturbances benefit from developmentally
appropriate activities, clear rules, consistency, continuous feedback, and realistic
expectations
For students with visual impairments, it is important to maintain a safe and consistent
environment and to use auditory signals
Students with auditory impairments benefit from clear communication, simple
instructions, and visual instructions (signing, flashing lights)
Instructional environment should be arranged to be inviting

Terms: Physical Impairments

Paraplegia-both legs involved

Hemiplegia-entire right or left side involved
Triplegia-three limbs involved (usually both legs and one arm)
Quadriplegia-all four extemities involved and usually the trunk

General Modifications pp 154,155

Object control modifications

o Example: lower targets, soft balls
Balance modifications
o Example: wider balance beams
Organizational modifications
o Example: rule modifications

Adapting Equipment Examples

Bicycles

Mobility & movement supports

Catapults
Board games

Special Olympics

Motto: Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt
Locating local, state, and national organizations for resources and support

Compassion in Action
Disabled Basketball Player is Given Help by Opposing Player to Score a Shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCOyhqKRrv4

TED Talk: Different Kinds of Minds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF4sP-uC-yI

The Anat Baniel Method Foundation

The Anat Baniel Method is a science-based, breakthrough approach that focuses on

the child's brain and its remarkable abilities to change and learn.
The method's gentle movements and essential concepts are powerful tools that
provide transformational help for children with special needs to overcome their
limitations.