Special Education (Notes)

- this course deals with the philosophies, theories, and legal basis of Special Education,
typical and the atypical development of learning, learning characteristics of students with
special educational needs including the gifted, talented, and learners with difficulty
seeing, learners with difficulty hearing, walking/moving, and with difficulty
remembering and focusing, learners with difficulty in the self-care, and the strategies in
teaching and managing these learners in a regular basis.
Do you believe that in a classroom setting, there is diversity? Why do you believe so? How do
you define diversity?
- A classroom setting can be identified as a diverse setting because in it are the individuals
who came from different backgrounds, practices different culture and tradition, and of
course, carries one’s own identity where lie one’s capabilities, those sorts of things. I
believe diversity is just confidently owning one’s uniqueness.
Do you agree or do you believe that you’re a special child? Why?
- I most definitely believe that I am special, for the reason that I possess something that I
believe am the only one who owns it. Also, I think this is the case for everyone of us. No
man is ever the same, we all have our unique identities.
“Special child”, appropriate or inappropriate term in addressing children with disabilities?
- The term “special child” is not appropriate in addressing a person with disability, for we
are all special child of God. The appropriate term to use when referring to individuals
with disabilities are “child/children WITH disability”, or “person WITH disability”.
The “with” there is very important. This is referred to as “people first language”.
People with disability have a lot to offer to us despite their disabilities, and so we should
acknowledge those instead of highlighting more of their disability. We should always be
careful of the way we address these individuals for our word is their world. It might not
be a big deal to us, but our ignorance to such things might destroy their precious lives,
and now that is a big deal.
- Other terms that are not acceptable: abnormal, “kulang-kulang”, “monggoloid”, “abno”,
“mango”.
How do you define inclusive education?
- Inclusive education is an educational system wherein there is inclusivity in a classroom
setting. Meaning, diversity is being acknowledged, at the same time, the learning is not
limited or exclusive to individuals who are typical or normal behaving. In an inclusive
education setting, people with disabilities are accommodated and are being provided with
the services that are anchored to their needs.