Special Education

Special Education Disabilities

About six million children ages three to 21 (14 percent of public school students) are enrolled in a special education program. According to the National Center for Education Statistic, this number is rising.

Only a small percent of these children are affected by a disability like autism or mental retardation. The majority of students enrolled in programs have mild to moderate special needs.

For some children, diagnosing a disability is obvious. In other cases, it is more difficult to pinpoint what is affecting a child's behavior or learning digression. Once a need is identified, students are placed into one of three main categories:

1. Speech and language impairments
2. Autism and traumatic brain injuries
3. Health impairments due to chronic and acute conditions such as

• Asthma
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Lead poisoning

Children with minor disabilities participate in a regular classroom setting while working with a special education teacher one-on-one. Other students spend their day in a classroom designed for his special needs.

I.D.E.A.

In 2004, the government updated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to guarantee children with special needs are provided with the necessary services and an education. IDEA focuses on increasing standards and offering programs to all children who qualify for them. Educators are required to obtain specific certifications to teach special education.

The legislation is divided into two parts:

• Part B: Children ages three to 21
• Part C: Infants to age two

Special Education services in your area are required to meet the Federal and State IDEA Regulations.

Diagnosing Your Child

Your child may be born with a disability which is quickly recognized. Other disabilities are harder to diagnose. Asperger’s (a mild variation of autism), dyslexia (a learning disability that often affects reading) and minor speech problems are usually not recognized until your child is older. If your child exhibits any of the following behavioral problems, he is a possible candidate for special education:

• Demonstrates an emotional disturbance over a long period of time that interfers with his or her ability to learn
• Does not get along with others
• Shows lack of communication skills
• Does not show an interest or ability in age-appropriate activities
• Resists change
• Difficulty seeing or hearing which interferes with the ability to communicate
• Health problems that affect educational performance

Getting Your Child Help

Help is easy to find. Identify a need for your child in the following area:

• Physical
• Sensory
• Mental/emotional

If your child is in school, ask for a Pupil Evaluation Team (PET). If he is under the age of five, contact your area education professionals.

Once a need is determined, an evaluation team accesses your child and creates an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Infants

Help is available for infants and young children who are behind in physical and emotional development. Your child is evaluated on two components:

1.) Developmental delay in:

• Cognitive
• Physical (fine and gross motor, vision, and hearing)
• Communication
• Social or emotional
• Adaptive functioning

2.) Established risk:

• Your child exhibits a risk that could influence future developmental delays.

Once your child is evaluated and diagnosed, a trained teacher comes into your home. She will work with your child to develop skills in the following areas:

• Social
• Self-help
• Motor
• Language
• Cognitive

These programs utilize play to teach necessary skills.

Preschool Programs

Many schools offer free preschool programs designed to help your child prepare for school. They focus on integrating your child to a learning environment and working on necessary life skills.

Mislabeling

Sometimes doctors, parents and teachers are so eager to find an answer that they mislabel a child. Congress reported that in cases where African-American children are a minority, a higher percentage of African-American children are identified with mental retardation and emotional disturbance than white students.

Your child goes through an in-depth testing program before being labeled. If you disagree with the results, get a second opinion. Do not compare your children to other kids the same age. Some children are quicker learners then others.

If you feel your child is misdiagnosed, ask them to retest.

Special education is a growing field. Teachers try to catch disabilities early in your child’s education. As a parent, watch your child and trust your instinct. If you feel your child needs extra help, ask for it.