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What Is Special Education

Special education is the practice of teaching students who

require special attention due to their individual needs and

differences. It involves an individually planned and systematic

arrangement and a monitored way of teaching. Also, it

requires the use of adapted materials and equipment and a teaching setting that
is accessible. These interventions were designed to help special needs learners
to achieve levels of self-sufficiency and success that are higher in school and the
general community. The most common special needs are physical disabilities,
learning disabilities, emotional and behavioural disorders, communication
disorders and development disabilities. Special education programs are carefully
designed in such a way that they are customized to address every individual

student’s unique needs. These students are assessed to understand their
personal strengths and weakness.

An educator in the field of special education, educating children with special
needs must have certain classroom rules that she/he must religiously follow.

1. First, instructions should be structured to meet, the unique requirements
of the students. The flow of Instructions may be slower or faster in
accordance to their needs. Class sizes should be smaller, so that each

student is given individual attention. This gives the children, not only time
to process information but also to reciprocate as well.

2. A Special needs classroom should have educators, who are ready to give
their determined effort to educate a student. A child may need repeated
trials and opportunities before they finally understand a concept. An
educator of children with special needs should therefore work relentlessly
until the child has understood any concept that is being taught.

3. Unique aids and tools should be used, to teach a student with special
needs. Often aids used to teach students without special needs, does not

work for those with special needs. Thus, educators have to come with
ideas and propositions that meet their unique requirements. A
methodology of trial and error should be adopted. If one tool does not
work, it should be done away with and another tool that is more apt
should be used in its place. All this should be done with a lot of patience
because frustration has no place here.

Education is the first step for people to gain the knowledge, critical thinking,
empowerment and skills they need to make this world a better place.