Students with Exceptional NeedsInclusion, especially as it relates to students with exceptional needs, is a lofty and virtuous goal that requires a team effort from all school staff. Teaching and including students with exceptional needs has made me a better teacher and a better person.
During PSII, my educational psychology course focused a lot on making adaptations where required to ensure that all students can participate as fully as possible, and have a sense of ownership for their education. Adaptions include: - modifications (e.g., offering 2-3 different assignments that meet learning outcomes but at differing levels of cognitive demand) - accommodations (e.g., using assistive technology, teaching to different learning styles, or adjusting the pace) - alternative expectations (e.g., those things outside the mandated curriculum, such as goals specified on an IPP) During PSII, I taught a selectively mute student and a student with Down Syndrome. For the former, I made every effort to communicate and check in with him, despite receiving little more than a facial twitch, and was rewarded in the second last day of my practicum by seeing him speak in a group presentation. For the latter, I modified her assignments and also focused on helping her meet the alternative expectations specified in her IPP, one of which was to interact more with her classmates. During PSIII, I taught a student with ADHD and made a point of checking in with him regularly, giving him clear and manageable steps, and providing him extensions as needed. I taught a student with autism, and collaborated regularly with the staff in the Learning Centre (Resource Room) to ensure that he understood assignments but did not become overwhelmed by or lost in the details, especially relating to more abstract thinking. A number of my students came from rough backgrounds, and I made an effort to connect with them inside and outside the classroom, to touch base with families, and to communicate regularly their designated counsellors and assistant principals. To accommodate, I had flexible deadlines for all students, permitted students to leave the classroom as needed to decompress and kept the classroom vibe relaxed, and always kept my feedback encouraging. |
ResourcesLives in the Balance
Lives in the Balance is the non-profit organization founded by child psychologist Dr. Ross Greene, originator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach. Their mission is to advocate on behalf of behaviorally challenging kids and their parents, teachers, and other caregivers and to provide free, web-based resources. CAST The Center for Applied Special Technology is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning. The Inclusive Education Library Contains IPP templates and strategies that teachers can use as a starting point to inform their classroom practice, and better support students with specific medical conditions and disabilities. Misunderstood Minds Parents, teachers, and students looking for the scientific explanations behind learning differences and strategies to aid success in school can find both on the companion Web site for Misunderstood Minds. The site includes profiles of the students in the documentary, as well as sections on Attention, Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Interactive activities, called Experience Firsthand, are designed to give site visitors a sense of what it may be like for a student struggling with a basic skill. Junior High Mental Health Kit This is a collaborative project between the AHS Public Health, AHS Addictions & Mental Health, Edmonton Public Schools, and Edmonton Catholic Schools. It is a curriculum-based teaching resource for grade 7-9 and include lessons on mental illness and suicidal behaviour, the transition from junior to senior high, cyberbullying, stress, hope, preventing substance abuse, relationships, body image, and healthy/active lifestyles. Grip Magazine Written by youth for youth ages 13-18, this magazine focuses on mental health and well-being topics relevant to teens. It also contains a moderated online forum where teens can interact and support one another. Alberta Health Services Resources |