SPECIAL EDUCATION & CATEGORIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

What is Special Education (SPED)?

Individuals in the field of education are generally familiar with the acronym SPED meaning. SPED stands
for special education. However, not ever educator has extensive training in this field. To meet the special
education definition, the education given to students must entail specialized, individualized instruction
with placement in the least restrictive environment.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is a law written in 1990, states that all
children with qualified disabilities must receive a free and appropriate education. The spectrum of
services that fall under the arc of special education and which are specified through IDEA include:

Specific learning disability

- The “specific learning disability” (SLD) category covers a specific group of learning challenges.
These conditions affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math.

Speech and language impairment

- This category covers difficulties with speech or language. A common example is stuttering. Other
examples are trouble pronouncing words or making sounds with the voice. It also covers
language problems that make it hard for kids to understand words or express themselves.

Other health impaired

- The “other health impairment” category covers conditions that limit a child’s strength, energy, or
alertness. One example is ADHD, which impacts attention and executive function.

Autism spectrum disorder

- ASD is a developmental disability. It involves a wide range of symptoms, but it mainly affects a
child’s social and communication skills. It can also impact behavior.

Visual impairment

- A child who has eyesight problems is considered to have a visual impairment. This category
includes both partial sight and blindness. If eyewear can correct a vision problem, then it doesn’t
qualify.

Hearing impairment

- The term “hearing impairment” refers to a hearing loss not covered by the definition of deafness.
This type of loss can change over time. Being hard of hearing is not the same thing as having
trouble with auditory or language processing.
Deafness

- Kids with a diagnosis of deafness fall under this category. These are kids who can’t hear most or
all sounds, even with a hearing aid.

Deaf and blindness

- Kids with a diagnosis of deaf-blindness have both severe hearing and vision loss. Their
communication and other needs are so unique that programs for just the deaf or blind can’t meet
them.

Multiple disabilities

- A child with multiple disabilities has more than one condition covered by IDEA. Having multiple
issues creates educational needs that can’t be met in a program designed for any one disability.

Intellectual disability

- Kids with this type of disability have below-average intellectual ability. They may also have poor
communication, self-care, and social skills. Down syndrome is one example of a condition that
involves an intellectual disability.

Traumatic brain injury

- This is a brain injury caused by an accident or some kind of physical force.

Emotional disturbance

- Various mental health issues can fall under the “emotional disturbance” category. They may
include anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and
depression. (Some of these may also be covered under “other health impairment.”)

Orthopedic impairment

- An orthopedic impairment is when kids lack function or ability in their bodies. An example is
cerebral palsy.

The above categories can be divided into cognitive, behavioral, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Based on the child's area of need, specialized programming should be specifically designed to ensure
successful access to the appropriate educational setting.

What Is Special Education?

Special education is a form of instruction that's designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities, so
that they can learn the same skills and information as other children in school. The term special education
is used interchangeably with special needs, and the disabilities may be physical, emotional, or behavioral.
Special Education Classrooms

Types of special education classrooms vary according to the individual needs of the students. Remember
that the least restrictive environment should be considered when determining placement.

Types of special education models include:

● General education setting refers to the regular education classroom with non-disabled peers. This is
where the model of inclusion takes place most often.

● Special education setting refers to what is known as the resource room. The special education teacher
will pull students out of the classroom to work on specific skills in a small-group or individual setting.

● Self-contained education settings serve as a home-base for programs in which the student with a
disability requires a more restrictive environment. The self-contained room can consist of students with
varying disabilities, or can be specific to a disability such as Autism or behavior disorders.

● Out-of-district settings are proposed only if the home district of the student cannot meet his or her
needs. Typically, the district will help pay for the student to attend a program outside of the district if they
cannot provide a free and appropriate education.

REPORTER: MARJANNAH R. MANGOTARA