Observing Students with Disabilities:

During my teaching experience so far, I have had limited opportunity to work with students
with disability. To address this need in my professional development, I sought out the
opportunity to spend time in a classroom including two students with different disabilities
and, therefore, different educational needs.

Document 11 shows my handwritten observational notes from the classroom. The

experience highlighted several different considerations needed when catering for students
with disabilities. The physical environment was designed to suit the students, with the
hearing-impaired student sitting near the front of the class for example. Both students were
seated together to maximise the use of the classroom education assistant (EA) and because,
in many cases, their tasks were modified in similar ways. In terms of lesson activities, tasks
were modified to cater for their intellectual development levels and were structured to suit
their ability to follow instructions.

My observations and conversation with the classroom teacher, gave me valuable information
and knowledge to be able to transfer into my own practice. In future, I understand the
importance of modifying all aspects of the classroom according to the specific needs of any
student with a disability. Careful planning, alongside colleagues, parents/caregivers and
relevant agencies/medical practitioners is needed to ensure the optimal environment for
learning is created. I also learned that flexibility in teaching practice is necessary (in general,
as well as with students with a disability) as each day can bring new challenges and demand
changes, especially in students with disability.