Written Assignment Unit 4

Raise Awareness of Disabilities Among Teachers and Students

Master of Education in Advanced Teaching, University of The People

EDUC 5710: Understanding Barriers to Learning

Dr. Shivanie Saith

December, 9 2021
 Raise awareness of disabilities among teachers and students

Students with learning disabilities (LD) face more hard times than other students in a

diverse classroom. It is simply because they see, hear, do and understand things differently that

leads to trouble participating in the learning activities. Applying inclusive education in a diverse

class is seen as a solution to provide opportunities for all children can learn with no exception.

The concept can bring on a new perspective in education and various advantages, mainly

academic, behavioural, and social aspects (Karsidi, 2005). Equipping teachers and students with

sufficient knowledge help to support and facilitate students with LD in an inclusive classroom.

This paper will examine Down Syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to raise

awareness among student teachers of general cognitive, psychological, and emotional

disabilities.

Down Syndrome or trisomy 21 is a disability that may represent cognitive, psychological

and emotional disability at once. Medline Plus (n. d.) explains that it is a “chromosomal

condition that is associated with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance, and

weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. All affected individuals experience cognitive delays,

but the intellectual disability is usually mild to moderate” (para.1). In addition, Down Syndrome

children are susceptible to many medical conditions that affect delayed language and behaviour

development. In the early years, it is reported that they have speech delay and behavioural issues,

such as obsessive and tantrums. These slow developments impact their language development

and the ability to process the understanding in the learning. However, the complex characteristics

do not let them stop getting opportunities to learn and develop their skills.

Considering their limit, the teacher should craft an exceptional IEP that accommodates

their needs and modifies the lesson to engage them to learn. Once they are engaged, they will
actively participate in the activities. Their participation will create a positive relationship

between peers and teachers. For example, the illustrated material makes meaningful learning for

Down Syndrome students (DSE, n. d.). Students with Down Syndrome will express and

understand better through visual objects and drawings. They will grasp the learning better

through gestures, pictures, or real objects. Therefore, incorporating visual aids with the lesson

will effectively develop their language and communication skills.

Another disability that can create awareness of disability is Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD). It is a “developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and

behavioural challenges” (CDC, 2020, para. 1). Children with ASD often have communication

and socialization problems. Unlike Down Syndrome children, they have the same physical

appearances as others. Also, their intelligence is normally developed. Most of them are visual

and auditory learners. Thus providing visual prompts also makes learning effectively. Everything

should be concrete and visible for them to understand. However, student teachers should be

aware that students with ASD easily get distracted by touch or noises. It causes them to have

difficulties building a social-emotional connection with other people, which makes them seem to

have their own world. Because of the sensory overload, they often get tantrums or breakdown

moments in teaching and learning.

I prefer to choose Down Syndrome to Autism Spectrum Disorder to raise awareness of

disability among students in general. Besides having common characteristics of cognitive,

psychological and emotional disabilities, Down Syndrome also causes autism spectrum disorders

Medline plus (n. d.). It means handling children with Down Syndrome will be similar to the

students with autistic conditions. In addition, their psychical and intelligence differences make

them underestimated and lead to bullying or disrespectful behaviour.

 References

CDC. (2020, March 25). What is autism down syndrome?. Centers of diseases for control and

prevention. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

Down Syndrome. (n. d.) Medline Plus. Retrieved December 9, 2021, from

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/down-syndrome/#frequency

DSE. (2020, February 02). Development and learning for people with down syndrome. Retrieved

December 9, 2021, from

https://www.down-syndrome.org/en-us/about-down-syndrome/development/

Karsidi, R. (2015). Ilmu Pendidikan dan paradigma Pendidikan inklusif yang berkualitas

[Educational science and the quality of inclusive education paradigm]. Univesitas Negeri

Yogyakarta. https://www.uny.ac.id/fokus-kita/prof-dr-ravik-karsidi-ms